The Joker is the star of the show (The Dark Knight (2 DVDs))

Member Name: bonsibabe

Product:	The Dark Knight (2 DVDs)
Date:	26/07/08 (96 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bale and Ledger make a world class team

Disadvantages: None

I love Christian Bale. Simple as that. I have loved his films since I saw American Psycho and the Machinist. One day I will get round to reviewing those films. But tonight hubby and I managed to watch this newest of the Batman chronicles and I have to say that it was certainly not what I expected.

And so on to the review ...

***Synopsis***

Batman is alive and well and fighting crime and injustice in Gotham City. But he is hampered by vigilante groups who idolise him and aspire to be him. He is hampered by these groups who are trying their best to help but end up just getting in his way. Batman aka Bruce Wayne (Bale) as always is very competently assisted by Alfred (Michael Caine) and they are in the middle of rebuilding Wayne Manor.

Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gylenhaal) is now dating the new District Attorney Harvey "Two-Face" Dent (Aaron Eckhart), who seems to be fearless in the face of criminals and thinks nothing of trying a room full of men and having 500 of them jailed at one time. It would seem that Dent is untouchable and is the man of the moment, while Wayne is the playboy millionaire who likes nothing better than to throw a good party.

Batman's newest nemesis comes in the form of deranged bank robber The Joker (Heath Ledger), who's favourite hobby seems to be causing anarchy wherever he goes. He starts by robbing banks and graduates to trying to take over the local mobs of Gotham.

Lt James Gordon (Gary Oldman) is on the sidelines as he was in the last film, although within this film he does have a more pivotal role in the storyline. He is firmly on the side of Batman and wants nothing more than to take all the criminals and throw them all in jail. He believes in Batman even when others don't and will continue to do so for many years to come.

And so the Joker manages to threaten the Mayor, kill some major players in the mob world and takes Dent and Dawes hostage. The result if that Dent then turns into Two-Face (I'm not divulging the details!) and anarchy reigns.

It has a rather strange ending in my mind, but I won't go too far into what happens. Suffice to say the ending is not what you would expect and it certainly has left the franchise open for another sequel. Let's hope that Bale continues as Batman, for I would be very interested to see what comes next.

***My Opinion***

I loved this film! I just cannot deny the fact that I did not move from my seat and I sat transfixed to the screen. The film compelled my viewing from the moment it started to its dark and fascinating end. I could not keep my eyes off the screen and loved every single minute of the film and to be really honest, I can't wait till it's out on DVD, I will certainly be pre-ordering it from Amazon because I will want to watch this again and again.

Performance wise, Bale is superb as Wayne, ever haunted by the deaths of his parents and having to love Dawes from afar, knowing that she loves another man. To me, he is the ultimate Batman, strong, silent, moody and somewhat petulant in his want for a better world for all.

Caine is superb as Alfred, adding his own sense of humour to the character in a way that previous incumbents of the role have never done in my mind. Gylenhaal is much better than Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. Sorry to Holmes, but Gylenhaal really brings a much more believable Rachel to the screen this time.

Morgan Freeman also stars as Lucius Fox, the man behind Batman's gadgets. Although not seen as much in the film as many would like, he brings a certain presence to the screen that only Freeman can. Eckhart is superb as Two Face Dent. He plays the larger than life goody goody DA with superb aplomb and, in contrast, manages to portray Two Face as the tortured soul that you would imagine Dent to be after what he suffers through the film.

However it is Ledger that steals the show. I was blown away by his performance as The Joker. It has been said on the television (by Bale) that Ledger should get a posthumous oscar for his performance in this, his last film. I would have to agree. I think that he makes by far the best villain that Batman has ever faced. To be really honest, no-one will ever play the Joker in the same way ever again.

Ledger's joker was sinster, yet pained. It was eerie, yet slightly human. Ledger has portrayed the Joker in a way I have never seen before. He shows the Joker for what he really was, just a deranged madman who had the mind of a genius that had been warped by madness and psychosis. I would add my vote for this man to get an oscar for the best performance of his life. Sadly is was his last, as I think the world has lost a fine actor and some exceptional roles.

***Recommendation***

There is no question to ask and nothing to answer. I give this 5 stars and would give this more stars if I could. I have no hesitation in recommending this to everyone, and I will tell everyone that this is the best film of the year. I really could not care less if a masterpiece is released later on this year. Nothing will even come a close second to this film.

I really enjoyed this film and want it to come out on DVD now! I will certainly be buying it and will watch this again and again. My advice to you all would be to go see this at the cinema. If you can't, then get it on DVD when it comes out. But it is a must-see as far as I'm concerned.

Definitely the best film of the last few years. Definitely not one for the kids but more one for the big kids.

5 stars from me. Thanks for reading and look out for bats! Di xx

Summary: The Best Batman Film Ever