Movie Review: The Dark Knight - Page 2

As far as the plot goes, The Joker has been making some hits on mob-controlled banks. This brings the various criminal organizations together in the hopes of finding a way to protect their investments. This becomes an open invitation, unwanted as it may be, for The Joker to come in and spread his brand of insanity. This eventually makes Batman, and all of the public crime fighting figures targets. What follows becomes a personal battle between the vigilante and the criminal, tortured souls both, who have chosen different outlets for their pain.

Sure, mob money and masked heroes and villains may sound a little plain; it is anything but. There is a lot that goes on between many of the players, more than I can, or want, to get into here. This is a movie to slowly digest, to allow it to reveal its character implications over time. Creatively, it is a bold move, making a film about heroes in masks and capes and villains in face paint such a cerebral affair. Don't be fooled; in addition to the character depth and development there is plenty of visceral excitement evenly spaced throughout. There are plenty of beautifully filmed explosions, exciting car chases, flying fists, and expertly staged set pieces to satisfy your inner action junkie.

By now, you have probably read your fill of praise for Heath Ledger's performance. Critics must be sounding like a broken record, and let me tell you that the praise being doled out is much deserved. Heath Ledger is a force of nature; he commands your attention, he draws you in with a maniacal charisma. You dare not look away lest he turn his sights on you. Christopher Nolan has likened Ledger's Joker to the shark in Jaws; it is an apt comparison. This film offers no insight into the origin of The Joker, the whos, wheres, and whys are all left out; all that matters is the here and the now. Sure, Joker does go into some of the reasons for doing what he is doing, but they are not presented in a way that reveals anything about his past, just the present.

The jaw-dropping performance, the way he commands attention, the way Heath poured himself into this role, everything points towards Oscar for Heath Ledger. It is a career defining performance, one that would have definitively placed him on the Hollywood map. It is a sad situation that reminds me of Brandon Lee and his tragic death while filming The Crow, the film that ultimately defined his short career and would have helped him on his rise through Hollywood's ranks — two actors delivering iconic performances whose lived were tragically cut short.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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