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Movie Review: The Dark Knight Stav 16 July, 2008 - 7:12 AM

Staring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman

Well after a seemingly endless wait The Dark Knight arrives, carrying the weight of heath ledgers tragic demise and Oscar buzz around his performance on its back. The hype and expectation for Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins sequel has been huge, with Ledgers death only adding to the media frenzy.

The good new is that Nolan delivers. The film is an epic, sprawling crime drama that covers an incredible amount of ground in its two and a half hour running time, with the Batman even leaving Gotham to fight crime overseas! Amongst the many plots, we see the rise of new District Attorney Harvey Dent (and any Batman fan knows what that means…), Bruce Wayne's secret identity threatened and the city in the throws of a mob war. But everyone is only here to see one thing: The battle between Batman and his arch rival The Joker….

First things first, Heath Ledger is amazing. A-maze-ing. His portrayal of The Joker is one of the finest screen villains I've ever seen. Every time he shows up the movie erupts into chaos and he is given a few genuinely shocking scenes (don't give him your pencil…..) it's a fantastic piece  of acting that is worthy of the Oscar buzz its creating.

A batman movie however, is only as good as its hero, and Christian Bale fits snugly back into the new improved bat suit. Batman  has been busy since the close of the last film and Gotham is a safer place, but not for long. Mafia Kingpins, public scrutiny and a failing relationship with Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal, taking over from Katie Holmes) all converge to put pressure on  The Dark Knight. In amongst all of this the Joker is busy trying to rid Gotham of the Batman and take over the city's underworld.

Bale and Ledger prove to be quite a match, both great actors enjoying the scenes they have together before pounding the crap out of each other. The action is fantastic too with the streets of Chicago transformed into a  Gotham full of flipping trucks, explosions and bullets.  Michael Caine returns and  does his thing as Alfred, Bruce Wayne's  loyal butler, as does Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, the man behind the gadgets. Newcomer Aaron Eckhart plays the doomed Harvey Dent, trying to clean up Gotham his own way until, again, the Joker turns up and ruins his plans, big time.

An ambitious Superhero Movie that lives up to its expectations, The Dark Knight is by far the best Batman film to date. Its full of surprises you don't  see coming and almost all of the performances are fantastic. A terrific film that is a fitting memorial for Heath Ledger, with a startling performance that will always  remind us  what a talented actor we lost…..

QUOTABLE NOTABLES:
ALFRED: I suppose I will be arrested as well, as your accomplice?
BRUCE: Accomplice? I'm pinning the whole thing on you!

BATMAN: Let her go
JOKER: Oooh, bad choice of words…..

STAV'S RATING:

4 1/2 Wookies Out Of 5

 :: Check out our Dark Knight feature page.

(11) »

• Jack says

  Heath was unrecognisable is this movie! If I didn't know it was him, I wouldn't have guessed it was him under the joker mask. His transformation and performance was amazing.

  Posted Wednesday 16 July, 2008 7:16 AM
• Elisha says

  I jumped so many times! Even gave my friend a scare who was sitting next to me. It was a really long movie but I already want to see it again. The guy who played Batman is so hot!

  Posted Wednesday 16 July, 2008 7:18 AM
• shane says

  the dark knight what a movie, it has lived up to the hype.although a little slow to get into it once it starts it doesn't let go. but the joker is the movie, its all part of the plan and every time he pops up he steals the light. with twist and turns though out and fine performancers and a stand out from heath ledger.

  Posted Wednesday 16 July, 2008 9:16 AM
• cameron says

  quiet easly the best batman movie released, heath ledger played a better then jack in the oringinal, im glad they have started making batman movies they way there ment to be, dark, violent, not cartoony like the original 4. health ledger stole this movie from christian bale you were more interested in th joker then batman for most of the movie. 10 out 10.

  Posted Monday 21 July, 2008 7:51 AM
• Cameron D says

  I was fascinated by not being able to recognize Heath Ledger. It wasn't really a performance by an actor but rather a complete transformation into a psycopathic maniac! I'm beginning to believe the rumours about the link between this role and his death. Did it over take him? Maybe... The only dissappointment was the quick demise of two-face. 9.9 out of 10!

  Posted Monday 21 July, 2008 2:38 PM
• natasha says

  ITS AWESOME!!! thought it was absolutely fantastic and i am not a batman fan! haha. heath ledger was scary as and didnt recognise him at all. i only wished he was around to seehow great everyone thought he was.

  Posted Monday 21 July, 2008 3:22 PM
• Reece says

  I think it was a good movie, and some bits were funny when it was an action packed movie. i think Heath ledger was good in it. i give it 5/5 "Did i ever tell you how i got my scars"

  Posted Monday 21 July, 2008 4:07 PM
• Reece says

  I think the dark knight was a great movie, it had action (no dah) it was funny in some bits and other scenes made me jump. I think heath Ledger and Christian Bale were both actors oh and Michael Caine as usual.

  all in all i give it 5 out of 5

  Reece

  Posted Monday 21 July, 2008 4:37 PM
• Anita says

  OMG! This movie was awesome! and I'm not just saying that for tribute for Heath. Its definately suitable for all ages, every one will enjoy! Its got everything; comedy, action, drama and scary bits that make you jump.

  Posted Tuesday 22 July, 2008 1:10 PM
• Ayla says

  Best Movie EVER!

  Heath Ledger's performance was fantastic and the only bad thing I can say about the movie is that for the next to hit our screens no one will have the pleasure of ever seeing Heath's brilliant skills again...

  Posted Wednesday 23 July, 2008 6:34 AM

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