Well, this film was categorically genius. Performances by all were wonderful. Despite the (rightly deserved) hype over Ledger's creepily manic performance as the Joker, I believe that this has a lot to do with his unfortunate and untimely passing. His performance was stunning, yes, but there hasn't been much talk of Bale's ever-marvellous Batman, or even Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent/Two-Face. Maggie Gyllenhal was also tops (after Katie Holmes, though, anything is an improvement...).
There was the electric relationship beteween Batman and the Joker, however, that made the film. The actors (and writers/director) captured the mutual reliance on one another perfectly. The comics of the late 80's depicted a hardcore Batman, willing to do whatever it took, and an utterly insane Joker, neither of which found true purpose without the other. The Killing Joke and The Long Halloween, to name a few mentionable examples.
The support cast was brilliant as ever, the same star studding this movie reprising their roles from Batman Begins. Gary Oldman's Commissioner Gordon is supurb, challenged with hard decisions in an ever-crumbling situation. Michael Caine's Alfred is there to offer wit and advice, as is the moral high-ground Morgan Freeman.
The relationships were interwoven and explored, and the camera work, the dialogue - essentially the full package pulled together and meshed really well making this not only a very enjoyable film, but one that is critically very good also.
It's worthwhile to mention that there are a few rather amusing quips througout the film, perhaps the most noticable being early on, when Bruce Wayne asks if his new suit is dog-proof, to which Lucius Fox wrly replies "You might have more luck against cats" - an in-joke reference to Catwoman.
Essentially a brilliant film, and I personally feel that Bale plays a definitive Batman on the big screen - the nuances and torment of the character are made real, not glossed over as in the older films - here is a man tortured by what he has to do in order to make the world a better place. He shows us that heroism is not easy; that heroes must be selfless, and take the fall for those undeserving.
For one of the best films I have seen to date, a score of ***** 5/5 Stars.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment