Dark Knight - Post viewing discussion and review thread

[YankeePride1967]

Wow. Great flick and they evidently intended for Heath to return

[Sam18]

Wow. Great flick and they evidently intended for Heath to return

The rumors were always that his role in 3 would be a small but important one. Idk what the Nolan bros. are gonna do now

[Yankeesfan924]

Absolutely awesome. Ledger was truly amazing.

[trapper700]

Talia al Ghul won't be in the 3rd movie because isn't she set to be one villains of the completely unrelated justice league movie?

[S2]

One of the things I loved was how Wayne Manor was a penthouse instead of a castle and the Batcave was more modern. Little things like that.

There were numerous times during the film that I would say to myself "this is fvcking awesome". Too many times to count. It as was close to perfect as a film can get. Very few flaws.

I almost wished I hadn't seen it so I could experience it for the first time again.

[Sam18]

I wish I hadn't watched those 12 clips.

[YanksFan1992]

What a incredible movie, words can't even begin to describe. This is far and away my favorite movie of all time.

From start to go this movie was absolutely incredible, although I do admit cringing in the first "Why So Serious" knife scene. I also feel that Harvey/Two-Face isn't dead yet.

Bot wow, what an incredible performance all-around, but especially by Ledger. Part of me wants them not to create a third Batman, as not to ruin this one, but most of me wants to see Nolan can do in another Batman movie.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Well, it's nice to finally understand where Sam's signature comes from.

What a freaking awesome movie. It's amazing how they made blowing up a hospital scary and funny at the same time.

[NYDCYankee]

Mind using spoliler tags so those of us who haven't seen the movie can still scroll through the thread?

What's the point of you even coming into this thread? Seriously, I don't get this.

Just got back from the film. I think the right word is spectacular.

Ledger you deserved an Oscar for Brokeback, hopefully you will get one for this.

Also, nice little bit of acting by Senator Patrick Leahy.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

Just got back, kind of disappointed

Ok I'm lying, that was f*cking AWESOME. I'm going to try that magic trick with a couple of neighborhood kids. Best part of the movie was the Joker just walking out of the hospital. Not even the fiddling with the detonator. Just walking like an old broad was HILARIOUS

Is Dent meant to be dead? With Ledger dead, no way they bring back the joker, so they've got Dent to fall back on, which isn't terrible.

P.S. I'm surprised Dent's face didn't drive the rating up to R. That was pretty gruesome.

[trapper700]

One of the things I loved was how Wayne Manor was a penthouse instead of a castle and the Batcave was more modern. Little things like that.

There were numerous times during the film that I would say to myself "this is fvcking awesome". Too many times to count. It as was close to perfect as a film can get. Very few flaws.

I almost wished I hadn't seen it so I could experience it for the first time again.

wasn't that mostly because wayne manor burnt down in the last movie? or are you saying you liked the fact that they kept the continuity of batman begins?

[RhodyYanksFan]

All I can say is WOW! That was as close to a perfect film as I've seen in a long, long time. Everything was done right. The story was so much more epic in scale then Begins, but it wasn't just your typical "lets make the sequel bigger" BS. Nolan has made the best comic movie of all time.

Eckhart was really really good as Harvey Dent. His character made a huge change over the course of the film and it was totally believable. He pulled it off. Of course, the real star of the show was Heath Ledger. I can't think of anything to add that hasn't been said already.

To me it seemed like the way they wrote it that should be the last one. Gotham's mob bosses will go to trial, the Batman is wanted for murdering cops, and Harvey Dent is still a hero. I know the studio will want to make more, but to me, this should end the story - besides, he'll never be able to top this

[Evil Empire]

All I can say is WOW! That was as close to a perfect film as I've seen in a long, long time. Everything was done right. The story was so much more epic in scale then Begins, but it wasn't just your typical "lets make the sequel bigger" BS. Nolan has made the best comic movie of all time.

Eckhart was really really good as Harvey Dent. His character made a huge change over the course of the film and it was totally believable. He pulled it off. Of course, the real star of the show was Heath Ledger. I can't think of anything to add that hasn't been said already.

To me it seemed like the way they wrote it that should be the last one. Gotham's mob bosses will go to trial, the Batman is wanted for murdering cops, and Harvey Dent is still a hero. I know the studio will want to make more, but to me, this should end the story - besides, he'll never be able to top this

IMO they can't leave us with Batman being the wanted vigilante of Gotham city. As good as it was, Sam and I were discussing how it's like Empire Strikes Back. Imagine if they ended the Star Wars series there and didn't make Return of the Jedi? We need a final piece to bring "balance" to Gotham city and to Batman.

[S2]

wasn't that mostly because wayne manor burnt down in the last movie? or are you saying you liked the fact that they kept the continuity of batman begins?

I liked that they made it more "realistic". I assume that's what they were going for at the end of the first one. Instead of him having to race out into the woods and change into a batsuit in a cave he built with the latest technology, he can just go to his underground garage in the city.

[Retire21]

I hear a lot of people say that a third film could not possibly top TDK. To that, I say 1. why not? and 2. why does it matter?

If Nolan makes a third film, you know it will be good. Why does it have to top TDK? As long as it is a solid "closure" film, really what it would serve to do is strengthen BB and TDK by finishing the story. In other words, a strong third film makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

I agree that they can't leave the Batman image as a murderer of cops. What about Wayne Manor? The Batcave?

[dabomb2045]

So am I going out on a limb by saying the work Ledger did in this movie....is the best acting I have ever seen in my life? I mean really....I thought he was THAT amazing.

[groovitude]

My friend and I were discussing whether or not they should make a third film in light of the fact that it'd be near impossible to outdo TDK. He made the point that it probably shouldn't; the idea of a trilogy (which the ending seems to imply, as Batman's a wanted "cop-killer") generally follows the three-act format of a screenplay -- and the middle act is usually the most exciting and interesting.

Just my... well, his two cents.

[JfromJersey]

Great movie. I really liked Batman begins, and I like TDK a bit more mainly because of Ledger. This has to be seen on the big screen to be really appreciated. I would love to have seen it in IMAX.

[Yankeesfan924]

So am I going out on a limb by saying the work Ledger did in this movie....is the best acting I have ever seen in my life? I mean really....I thought he was THAT amazing.

I wouldn't say going out on a limb. He was incredible; best villain since Hannibal Lecter.

[bcom33]

I can't even decide on my favorite Joker moment from the movie. I can't remember one scene that he was in that wasn't absolutely hilarious or completely disturbing or both at the same time.

There's only one spot open right now, so we're going to have tryouts.

I also thought the scene in the interrogation room when Batman was punching Joker in the face but he showed no signs of damage at all and just kept laughing and taunting all the way through it was probably the best part of the movie for me. I was most impressed by Ledger's acting at that point.

[xenochimera]

did anyone see the trailer for the next terminator movie?? apparently bryce howard is casted as kate connor (john connor's wife). my god i hope she lost weight for that role, the least we need is a land whale fighting machines in the future.

[TheGameEpisode2]

I can't even decide on my favorite Joker moment from the movie. I can't remember one scene that he was in that wasn't absolutely hilarious or completely disturbing or both at the same time.

There's only one spot open right now, so we're going to have tryouts.

I also thought the scene in the interrogation room when Batman was punching Joker in the face but he showed no signs of damage at all and just kept laughing and taunting all the way through it was probably the best part of the movie for me. I was most impressed by Ledger's acting at that point.

Or when he's talking to the cop, asking him how many friends of his he has killed.

"Want to know how many of your friends are cowards?"

That just sent chills down my spine.

[bcom33]

Who came up with the idea for the Joker's make-up. Whoever did needs to be given an academy award.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Who came up with the idea for the Joker's make-up. Whoever did needs to be given an academy award.

Yeah, Nicholson's makeup seems almost juvenile comparatively.

[Sam18]

Heh Joker's makeup was the biggest debate amongst fanboys for the past year. And as usual, Nolan makes the 30 year old Burton lovers cry. I'm glad everyone loved the movie so much. It was wonderful going crazy over every little piece of TDK news ever since Rhody started his thread.


p.s. In case you couldn't figure it out Joker walking out of hospital was done in one take because that's the only chance they had to do it. The hospital blowing up behind him was real and no cgi. I'd be too scared to act in that situation, let alone act like that awesome.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Heh Joker's makeup was the biggest debate amongst fanboys for the past year. And as usual, Nolan makes the 30 year old Burton lovers cry. I'm glad everyone loved the movie so much. It was wonderful going crazy over every little piece of TDK news ever since Rhody started his thread.


p.s. In case you couldn't figure it out Joker walking out of hospital was done in one take because that's the only chance they had to do it. The hospital blowing up behind him was real and no cgi. I'd be too scared to act in that situation, let alone act like that awesome.

Speaking of the hospital, did he blow it up with Dent in there? Because it seems like he did, and if so, how did he survive?

[Sam18]

Speaking of the hospital, did he blow it up with Dent in there? Because it seems like he did, and if so, how did he survive?

no Joker convinced Two Face to gtfo of there and kill people.

[Mark19]

Really enjoyed the move, strong dramatic arc, good action, good pacing, good balance of character development. Not only a great summer movie but also a strong dramatic piece.

My thoughts on Dent:
I expect that they will at least consider bringing him back, Eckhart is a considered a marquee name and his character is so fascinating. A friend of mine who follows the trade papers said that most people are assuming that the Riddler is next -- just glad they aren't doing a Catwoman thing.

[YankeePride1967]

I also hope they bring Two-Face back but not with the Riddler. They did that in the last series.

I must say that this was not movie that did not fail to live up to the hype. It was every bit as good as the hype.

[President Kennedy]

Moved from the other thread:

Other than Ledger, I didn't like it at all. Very long, very tedious. The second villain introduced in the movie and rushing through his story reminded me of the awful inclusion of Venom in Spiderman 3. Bale's Batman voice is so silly and over the top, I heard giggles in the audience. The action was incoherent and dull. Maggie Gyllenhall can't act. The best part was the opening bank heist and the disappearing pencil trick. It was all downhill from there. Nolan is a poor man's Michael Mann.

I was wrong about Ledger, though. I thought he looked bad in the trailers, but he gave an amazing performance. The only thing to enjoy during the movie's what-felt-like four hour running time.

[Retire21]

Moved from the other thread:

Other than Ledger, I didn't like it at all. Very long, very tedious. The second villain introduced in the movie and rushing through his story reminded me of the awful inclusion of Venom in Spiderman 3. Bale's Batman voice is so silly and over the top, I heard giggles in the audience. The action was incoherent and dull. Maggie Gyllenhall can't act. The best part was the opening bank heist and the disappearing pencil trick. It was all downhill from there. Nolan is a poor man's Michael Mann.

I was wrong about Ledger, though. I thought he looked bad in the trailers, but he gave an amazing performance. The only thing to enjoy during the movie's what-felt-like four hour running time.

Maybe Batman & Robin is more to your taste.....................

To say Nolan is a poor man's Michael Mann is laughable. Perhaps you haven't seen Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, or The Prestige- all great films. Mann wishes he has had as many hits as Nolan since 2001.

While I like Michael Mann and Heat is one of my favorite films, he hasn't exactly made great films lately. The Insider was good, I didn't see Ali, Collateral was okay, and Miami Vice was a dud. Compare those films with Nolan's body of work and you almost wonder if Mann has reduced himself to a poor man's Christopher Nolan. I am looking forward to Public Enemies, however.

[Evil Empire]

Did anyone else notice the Mayor's eyeliner? I just remembered that it was bugging the hell out of me when I was watching it because it was so visible and obvious.

[Sam18]

Did anyone else notice the Mayor's eyeliner? I just remembered that it was bugging the hell out of me when I was watching it because it was so visible and obvious.

Its not his eye liner. Thats how he actually looks. If you've watched LOST you would know this. But you don't so you're a douche.

[President Kennedy]

Maybe Batman & Robin is more to your taste.....................

To say Nolan is a poor man's Michael Mann is laughable. Perhaps you haven't seen Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, or The Prestige- all great films. Mann wishes he has had as many hits as Nolan since 2001.

While I like Michael Mann and Heat is one of my favorite films, he hasn't exactly made great films lately. The Insider was good, I didn't see Ali, Collateral was okay, and Miami Vice was a dud. Compare those films with Nolan's body of work and you almost wonder if Mann has reduced himself to a poor man's Christopher Nolan. I am looking forward to Public Enemies, however.

How can Mann reduce himself to a poor man's Nolan when Nolan has been aping Mann for years? Nolan even credits Heat as an inspiration for The Dark Knight, which after seeing the finished product sounds more like Nolan flattering himself than anything else.

The Insider was just "good?" It's a far better film than anything Nolan has produced in his entire career. Crowe's performance is brilliant, and far more complex and interesting than anything Nolan has gotten out of any of his actors save for Ledger.

[philleotardo]

All that (nm).

[Retire21]

How can Mann reduce himself to a poor man's Nolan when Nolan has been aping Mann for years? Nolan even credits Heat as an inspiration for The Dark Knight, which after seeing the finished product sounds more like Nolan flattering himself than anything else.

The Insider was just "good?" It's a far better film than anything Nolan has produced in his entire career. Crowe's performance is brilliant, and far more complex and interesting than anything Nolan has gotten out of any of his actors save for Ledger.

So Nolan mentions Heat as an inspiration for the bank heist scene and suddenly he's "aping" Mann? The Insider is better than any film Nolan has produced? You're falling off a cliff now............I would guess that most people could reel off Nolan's last four pics more easily than Mann's as Memento was a cult classic while Batman Begins re-invented the Batman franchise. Keep in mind that Nolan writes most of his films, too. I'm not aware of Mann involved in the writing of any of his films, but I could be wrong.

[BonusCantos]

I just got back from the 10:20pm showing. I write this review as someone who has very limited previous exposure to Batman aside from being aware of it and knowing why Adam West was relevant several decades ago.

It was a very, very well done movie. It will win Academy awards. Some random thoughts, some of which do not have to be blacked out but I will anyway:

*With all that crime and the restless natives, Gotham really is a total sh*thole; they'd be better off leveling it and starting from scratch.

*Heath Ledger's last role was his best. He totally sold the character and added a dimension of evil that I didn't think was possible.

*Yeah, it was a little long. I should not have gotten a drink that big.

*Not having seen the other movies did not completely handcuff my ability to comprehend what was going on, but it was pretty obvious from the get-go that character interaction was already established and I had to just figure out who they were and what they were doing.

*I'm quite glad the little kid didn't get popped.

*I wish I thought of the pencil trick first.

[Sam18]

*With all that crime and the restless natives, Gotham really is a total sh*thole; they'd be better off leveling it and starting from scratch.

Hahhahaha you should watch Batman Begins.

Gotham....must....be....destroyeddd

[BonusCantos]

Hahhahaha you should watch Batman Begins.

Gotham....must....be....destroyeddd

Seriously. Either everyone is a criminal or part of an angry mob.

[Sam18]

Seriously. Either everyone is a criminal or part of an angry mob.

Thats why there is a Batman silly.

[bcom33]

I agree with Retire21 that the second villain's entrance and exit reminded me of Venom in Spiderman 3 in a bad way. Hopefully, the next installment...which there needs to be, it shouldn't end here...will include more of him and another great villain TBD.

[Jeter Kid]

Just got back from the 10:30 showing and I loved it. Ledger was great (actually greater than I expected) even with all the hype this movie got.

So much happened and I definitely wouldn't mind seeing it in theaters again. Perhaps IMAX next time.

One other question I had:

When Batman saved Dent, I was confused because Batman said to Gordon that he was going after Rachel. Naturally then, I assumed Gordon was going after Dent. Did the Joker lie/deliberately switch Dent and Rachel's address whereabouts because he knew Batman would pick Rachel and the Joker wanted him to save Dent?

**EDIT ** Okay, got my answer at the Rotten Tomatoes board. Kind of confusing and I guess you need to read between the lines a bit, but my initial thoughts seem to be correct.

What was the answer to this?

[bcom33]

Just got back from the 10:30 showing and I loved it. Ledger was great (actually greater than I expected) even with all the hype this movie got.

So much happened and I definitely wouldn't mind seeing it in theaters again. Perhaps IMAX next time.



What was the answer to this?

Joker lied and told batman the opposite locations
However, I was happy when Maggie died because she's so damn ugly...

[mBiferi]

The part where the Joker says: "You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self righteousness, and I won't kill you, because you're just too damn fun... I think you and I are destined to do this forever"

They were destined to do that forever... man it sucks that Heath died

[bcom33]

The part where the Joker says: "You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self righteousness, and I won't kill you, because you're just too damn fun... I think you and I are destined to do this forever"

They were destined to do that forever... man it sucks that Heath died

That was a really great line.

[Retire21]

Just got back from the 10:30 showing and I loved it. Ledger was great (actually greater than I expected) even with all the hype this movie got.

So much happened and I definitely wouldn't mind seeing it in theaters again. Perhaps IMAX next time.



What was the answer to this?

Yes, the Joker deliberately switched the addresses that he told Batman because he knew Batman would go after Rachel and he needed Harvey alive so that he could bring him down emotionally. Remember at the end when Joker tells Batman that he won because he created Harvey, his ace in the hole? Joker was trying to prove a point that all it takes is one bad day to cross the line from good to bad, no matter how virtuous you are. He needed Batman to save Harvey so that Rachel could die- he knew that would crush Harvey- perhaps his face being burned was an unintended consequence, maybe not.

[President Kennedy]

So Nolan mentions Heat as an inspiration for the bank heist scene and suddenly he's "aping" Mann? The Insider is better than any film Nolan has produced? You're falling off a cliff now............I would guess that most people could reel off Nolan's last four pics more easily than Mann's as Memento was a cult classic while Batman Begins re-invented the Batman franchise. Keep in mind that Nolan writes most of his films, too. I'm not aware of Mann involved in the writing of any of his films, but I could be wrong.

Who cares if he writes them unless they're good? And you are wrong, Mann is heavily involved in the evolution of his scripts.

Why am I "falling off a cliff" with my Insider comment? Because you say so? Memento was a neat little film, but it's not a classic by any means. Insomnia was a good film, but the movie it's remade from is better. The Prestige isn't even a good movie. It's interesting and has its moments, but it was received lukewarmly by critics, and I don't think audiences were that into it.

Also, I'm not sure why someone being able to reel off Nolan's projects means they're better than Mann's. I'm sure lots of folks can reel off Roland Emmerich's movies much easier than they can John Ford's, so I guess in your opinion Emmerich must be a better filmmaker.

Christopher Nolan has quite a lot of catching up to do in order to be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Mann. The Dark Knight is a huge step back for him.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

Michael Mann is 65 and has been in the film industry for 37 years. Chris Nolan is 36 and has been in the industry for 11 years. Its hard to compare the two when one is probably moving towards the twilight of his career while one is moving towards the prime of his career

I love both directors, I also find it quite impressive that all of Nolan's films have a "fresh" on rotten tomatoes, and 4 of his 7 films are in the imdb top 100, so he is popular with critics and movie fans alike, which is impressive for a young film maker

[Retire21]

Who cares if he writes them unless they're good? And you are wrong, Mann is heavily involved in the evolution of his scripts.

Why am I "falling off a cliff" with my Insider comment? Because you say so? Memento was a neat little film, but it's not a classic by any means. Insomnia was a good film, but the movie it's remade from is better. The Prestige isn't even a good movie. It's interesting and has its moments, but it was received lukewarmly by critics, and I don't think audiences were that into it.

Also, I'm not sure why someone being able to reel off Nolan's projects means they're better than Mann's. I'm sure lots of folks can reel off Roland Emmerich's movies much easier than they can John Ford's, so I guess in your opinion Emmerich must be a better filmmaker.

Christopher Nolan has quite a lot of catching up to do in order to be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Mann. The Dark Knight is a huge step back for him.

We agree to disagree then. I like Michael Mann- I'm not saying he is a poor film director. I just don't agree with your assessment of Nolan- The Prestige was an amazing film. Let's put it this way, if Mann and Nolan were stocks, I would be investing heavily in Nolan right now.

**EDIT** Esquire Magazine seems to agree with me.....................

http://www.esquire.com/features/the-...her-nolan-0708

[NYYDragoon]

I just saw it. It was good, and I liked it better than the first, but I wasn't blown away by it.

...and the fact that this film is ranked #1 on IMDB right now is ridiculous.