Yes, I said it!
I finally saw the Dark Knight. Don’t get me wrong–it was awesome! But after reading so many rave reviews, I really thought it was going to de-throne Burton’s Batman, and it didn’t do that for me.
First, though, let’s start off with some things the movie does well. Christian Bale makes a good Bruce Wayne, and Alfred and Lucius Fox were great additions to the cast. Gary Oldman made a perfect young Jim Gordon was awesome, and I loved the scenes where Batman disappeared in the middle of a conversation, true to the comics. The story was good for a comic book movie, and I do like the different treatment they gave the joker. He is way better than Caesar Romero, and also better than the bizarre Matsuda version from the newer “The Batman” cartoons.
I guess I’ll always be a product of the 80′s and 90′s though. I’m reminded of this every time I turn on the radio and have to switch it back off immediately. I’m also reminded of it when I watch The Dark Knight. It’s just not the definitive Batman movie for me. Burton’s Batman is still that movie. Here are some reasons why:
- In TDK, Gotham is too real. One of the distinctions of DC Comics is that they don’t try to be too real. I prefer the stylized and anarchronistic Gotham that Burton imagined to the streets of Chicago.
- The new Bat-vehicles are too over-the-top and futuristic. Burton’s batmobile is a classic. I even prefer the vehicles from the Adam West show. And what a shame that the motorcycle made it onto the DVD cover!
- Somebody should have let Lando Calrissian become Two-Face. He and I are both still pissed about that one.
- And finally, the main subject of this post–the Joker! Everybody’s raving about how Ledger’s version of the joker is the perfect crazy homicidal maniac. They’re probably right, but he’s too much “homicidal” and not enough “crazy.” Nicholson understood this. The TDK crew was too busy trying to be dark and missed the boat on the humor and unpredictability of the character.
I know I’m in the minority here, but it had to be said. Recognize!
6 Comments
I do feel that The Dark Knight was overhyped because of the tragic loss of Heath Ledger. I also feel that he did an amazing interpretation of the classic joker villan. We need to remember that it is just that… his interpretation. I believe the movie’s success can be compared to the success of Nirvana after Kurt Cobain passed away. They sold more albums just after he passed then they did when “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became a buzz worthy song on Mtv. Anyways it has been awhile since 1989 when Jack Nicholson took to the silver screen as the joker and there have been many duds since then…remember George Clooney as Batman and Jim Carrey as the Riddler. Now those performances were the ones that I’m trying to forget. Heath Ledger at least topped those dud performances in the Warner Brothers Batman franchise. Nontheless… The Dark Knight deserves to win a few Oscars. Here is an interesting view at the similarities from the original Batman movie and the Dark Knight:
http://popcritics.com/2008/06/why-so-similar-batman-vs-the-dark-knight
Where is my reply?
Dr. C, please excuse my overzealous spam filter. Not sure what triggered it… maybe because you were talking about some of those Batman movies that don’t even belong in the franchise at all…
I have another pet peeve about TDK. Batman’s voice!
Don’t get me wrong though, the movie is still a lot of fun. Way better than that one with Clooney and Ace Ventura.
I’ve always thought that Nicholson was hands down the best interpretation of the Joker. That is, until Ledger’s performance. I’ve thought about whether or not his death had an effect on why I think Ledger tops Nicholson, but I think I’d still lean towards the recent Joker even if Ledger didn’t pass. Maybe I just like the homicidal part over the craziness of the 90s version. But I completely agree with you on your points of Gotham and (especially) the Bat-Mobiles.
@Rich, I know that most people would agree with you, and the more times I watch the film, he is starting to grow on me. Still, you have to admint, Nicholson had some great moments.
I agree with you about the jocker. I think, and always do, that Nicholson is a “natural psycho”, he just dont need to act that LOL.