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FILM REVIEW
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Telford
FM's film reviews by Mark Wilson in association with
Odeon Cinemas |
The Dark Knight directed by
Christopher Nolan
This film, even before it was released was going
to be remembered, even overshadowed by the untimely death
of the young actor Heath Ledger who was hired to play the
most famous of all Batman villains, the Joker. With the
film still in production but all of the actors scenes filmed
at the time of his death in January of this year, the film
went ahead and would become the actor’s final full
film to be released.
Constantly praised by his co-stars in recent press meetings,
many including Michael Caine who plays Bruce Wayne’s
Butler Alfred, has tipped him for Oscar nomination if not
glory for his turn as the Clown Prince of Crime. The danger
about this kind of hype is that it could sway a viewer’s
opinion about a film, or incredibly disappoint. So going
into watch this film as a reviewer I went with no preconceptions
of what to expect, despite being a huge fan of the films
precursor Batman Begins.
Upon first introduction to the Joker
I could not see the extraordinary performance of Ledger
that had been raved about for so long, but as the film progressed
and the thunderstorm that is the Joker sweeps through Gotham,
the depth and severity of the Clown Princes character is
truly displayed in a way that serves as confirmation of
Ledgers co-stars applause.
The film opens with an innocuous bank
robbery where the robbers all where clown masks. One by
one, each criminal is killed off by each other saying they
are under orders from the boss, one Joker. Once down to
the final culprit, the mask is revealed and introduced is
the homicidal and twisted Joker himself. This outing of
the Joker is a much darker and disturbing portrayal than
that of Jack Nicholson’s previous effort in Tim Burtons
1989 Batman, but fits in so well into this darker tale of
the Caped Crusaders next adventure. The plot of the film
revolves around the newly appointed District Attorney Harvey
Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and his plans to put away all of the
top mob bosses in the city with the help of Batman, Lieutenant
Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and his assistant D.A and love
interest Rachael Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Needing to fight
back, the mob hire a man they don’t fully understand
to do their dirty work and his plan is simple; kill the
Batman. Anarchy, madness and the sordid laughter that follows
leads to emotional and moral questions to be raised for
the protagonists and heartache for the hero.
Batman Begins set a new bench mark for
the super hero movie to such a point that it was going to
be difficult for The Dark Knight to surpass; but thankfully
it does. The Dark Knight builds on everything that Begins
started and the movie experience that we are left with just
blows you away. The action scenes are frenetic and adrenaline
fuelled while the plot never weakens and even at a runtime
of 152 minutes, you are left longing for more.
Upon leaving the cinema from a truly
entertaining and enjoyable film I felt a sense of disappointment,
and it was something I could not quite put my finger on
for I had absolutely cherished the film I had just witnessed.
That night I lay in bed and I finally realised why I had
this empty feeling about the film. And it was the fact that
I knew that in any sequel I would not be treated to another
intense and capturing performance of the Dark Knights greatest
foe by Heath Ledger, who deservedly should definitely be
up for Oscar contention. This is a truly enjoyable and darker
outing for the Caped Crusader, and one not to be missed.
My Star Rating 9/10
