No. 20 - The Dark Knight (2008)

WELCOME TO A WORLD WITHOUT RULES.

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance-age 13) for intense violence and scary scenes

Director and Story: Christopher Nolan; Screenplay: Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Eric Roberts

Movie Introduction: With the help of allies Gotham Police Lt. Jim Gordon (Oldman) and DA Harvey Dent (Eckhart), Batman (Bale) has been able to keep a tight lid on crime in Gotham City. But when a vile young criminal calling himself Joker (Ledger) suddenly throws the town into chaos, the caped Crusader starts to realize that this criminal is unlike anything he's seen before.

Defining Moment: meet the Joker

At a meeting of Gotham mob bosses, it is disclosed that the police are about to seize all the mobs money from local banks, but for now, it is save. In walks a new face in town. Donning a familiar purple suit, the Joker pitches the idea that the only way to regain the city is to kill the Batman. When they threaten to kill him, he shows them the bombs he has under his jacket, and exits, but only after leaving his calling card. (Watch the full scene on YouTube)   

Something subtle you might have missed:  smile for me

The Joker is sporting a nice little feature in this film. It is call a Glasgow smile. This is an intentional wound caused by a cut from the corner of a victim's mouth up to the ears, leaving a scar in the shape of a smile. It originated in Scotland in the mid 1800's when gangs would capture rival gang members. Yes, that was a thing. Ouch!

Memorable Quotes:

“Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” – Alfred Pennyworth

“Don't talk like you're one of them! You're not... even if you'd like to be. To them you're just a freak...like me. They need you right now, but when they don't they'll cast you out, like a leper.” - The Joker

Dad's Review:

Yea, I’m one of those guys…a comic book geek. I grew up reading Detective Comics, Superman, and Justice League of America. My favorite hero was Hal Jordan, known as Green Lantern. Not sure why, but you like what you like. He was fighter pilot who gained his powers from a special ring. The ring could create anything his mind could envision, which I think is a pretty cool superpower.

I also liked Batman (or “The Batman” depending on your preference), the great detective who used this brain, and an assortment of cool gadgets, to solve crimes. He always outwitted this opponents. In the 90’s, the character of Batman became a lot darker and more scary. He mastered the art of intimidation and fear. He was no longer the TV Batman portrayed innocently by Adam West. As his city, Gotham, became more corrupt, he adapted, becoming more violent – escalating to match new, high-powered villains.

Batman hit the big screen in 1989. Tim Burton directed and Michael Keaton played the caped crusader. Burton’s films are generally dark and gothic, and this version of Batman was just that. The first film, and its sequel, Batman Returns, are fine films. They are dark, but still have light, comedic moments. The villains, played by some of the biggest stars, helped carry each installment. I liked them all. After four, and three different actors in the title role, this iteration of Batman had run its course.

In 2003, Warner Bros. decided to reboot the franchise and go in a new, more realistic and gritty direction. They placed the Batman in the hands of director Christopher Nolan, a fairly new British director whose breakthrough film was the mind-bending Memento (2000). Christian Bale was selected to portray Bruce Wayne. Bale is an intense method actor very capable of portraying both Wayne and Batman very differently. Choosing Nolan and Bale were very wise choices.

Batman Begins was released in 2005, and was a huge hit. Audiences loved it, many fans agreeing that finally the true comic essence of Batman had been realized. This was another origin story, and it was dark and dismal. However, it’s intelligent script spent time developing well-written characters. The” Bale Era” had begun.

That introductions is brings me to 2008 and The Dark Knight (aka TDK). Its list of accolades is long and well-deserved. Like the second X-Men film, the second Nolan film was not limited by the "origin story", and it focuses story and its immediate characters. You can tell that the actors, and the entire film-making crew are hitting their stride. 

TDK is centered around the choices people are forced to make when confronted with madness. Of course the decision has to be “Stop the madness.” Right? That is the correct decision, but at what cost. Good people sometimes have to become a monster to stop a monster. When it’s over, all that is left is trauma.

Speaking of madness and sadness, let me say this about Health Ledger and his turn as Joker. It's incredible. He steals every scene. His performance is sinister, insane, and unforgettable. He gave us such wonderful performances in The Patriot (2000), A Knight's Tale (2001), Monster's Ball (2001) and Brokeback Mountain (2005). Heath died of an accidental drug overdose. Damn it. So much talent gone, another life wasted. For Joker, he posthumously received the Oscar for Best Supporting actor. It just makes my heart sad. 

All the great elements are present: superb leading and supporting actors, a wonderful story, iconic performances.

TDK was the film that finally convinced studio executives that a super-hero movie could be complex and political to the point that it stretches out of its genre. Plus, there is a huge market for these films when done well. TDK paved the way for future franchises such as the Marvel Universe.

Onto No. 21... The End of the Eastern Algonquian Native Americans