I didn't really like it. I didn't hate it, and it was 100X better than the hopelessly villain-confused Batman Begins, but I did feel like it was a three-hour headache, and afterward wanted to just close my eyes for a long time and let them rest and recoup from the grimy, yellow-tinted barragement of discomfort that had just impaled itself upon them. I think one of the main issues is that I don't like Christian Bale. He's okay as Bruce Wayne (that character is relatively bland and wooden in general, so Bale had no trouble with that aspect), but every time he spoke as Batman, I could
n't help but laugh. Why, OH WHY does he have to do that voice??? He walks in and says something totally nonchalant and casual, but sounds like The Thing from the Black Lagoon or something. I don't know how they or anyone else could take it seriously. And yes, he does have a slight lisp. Pay attention next time you see him on screen... Heath Ledger, in his much-lauded final role as the Joker was believable and well-acted compared to most movie villains, but (dare I contradict the masses??) fairly one-dimensional as a character. He had one mode: insane. He played it well, but there was little to no conflict to his character. The best villains in movies are the ones with at least a little humanity and a little internal struggle. And I do suspect his popularity in reviews may have at least a LITTLE to do with the recent unfortunate events surrounding Mr. Ledger. If he wins a post-humous Oscar, I will probably suspect current-event-political sway. I did rather like the Harvey Dent storyline, although his character also somewhat one-dimensional, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was a distracting replacement as Rachel. I do generally like superhero movies, indeed the X-Men and (first two) Spider-Man films are among my very favorites, and I am completely ready to suspend disbelief to enjoy a little bit of escapist action drama, but this didn't do it for me. The script wasn't all there, there were some attempted moral themes that didn't quite seem to arrive (though heaven knows they tried), and some of the casting was questionable. There are those who are easily entertained by the cookie-cutter big-name summer blockbuster offerings, but I guess it takes a little more to impress me. Which makes me wonder, what IS the film I've found most enjoyable this summer so far?...There... Just had to get that off my chest. All of the saccharine reviews that kept popping up were giving me a toothache.
While I'm offering up completely unsolicited movie reviews, yesterday I watched the legendarily-out of print Song of the South, as well as the relatively new film starring those oddly ubiquitous penguins, Happy Feet. If you ask me, they banned the wrong film. Song of the South was slow at times, and not an entirely solid film in many ways, but in theme and methods of morality, it was far less offensive than the gag-inducing, shamelessly political-correctness-drenched Happy Feet.
I didn't really love it either. And I think the review on my blog reflected this, so you aren't alone.
ReplyDeleteI loved Dark Knight, but I guess I can still respect your opinions. ;) The only thing I would say is that the Joker isn't conflicted, and that's kind of his character. He IS just insane...he's not supposed to have depth in that way. Does that make sense? Harvey Dent was a nice counterbalance for that, I thought. I have many thoughts on that movie, but I will leave it at that.
ReplyDeleteReally I'm just glad you didn't like Happy Feet. I was so excited to see a movie about dancing penguins. Instead I saw Happy Feet. And I'm still getting over my bitterness.
Haha so... I love the title of your blog, as if your opinions are usually not dissenting. :P
ReplyDeleteI did think that Batman's voice was way over the top, but I thought the movie was fantastic. As far as the Joker is concerned, I agree with the post above that there really isn't any more explaining that needs to be done for his character - he's just a crazy man that wants to see the world suffer and doesn't care about money or righting any wrongs done to him, which is so foreign to the mob in the movie and what they are about. It makes a good contrast among criminals in that regard I think.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine sent me this link to a Dark Knight review a while back that I thought was pretty cool. It's more thought out than your typical movie review, which is nice:
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=757af21c-1026-44f3-918b-ea35b135e350
I also have to agree with the comments about the Joker. I think thats why he scared me so much. Some villians DO have that struggle and sometimes they can be beaten because of it. The joker was obviously insaine and so no manner of talking or persuading would make him stop his madness. Thats maybe what made him more difficult to defeat? I am glad you didn't like Happy Feet either. I didn't think you would. Though, a lot of the time we do have differing opinions on movies, so you never know! Thanks for the reviews, I thought they were good.
ReplyDeletewell, i loved it. i'm sorry you didn't.
ReplyDeleteoooOOOOoooh, I knew this one would get a lot of comments! Thanks, one and all! And miri, you're right... But I guess everyone's opinion is dissenting from someone else's, right? It was kind of a general statement, not just to this post, but others in which I present an opinion contrary to the popular masses.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, I really didn't expect to change anyone's opinion, just maybe make this movie's flaws a little more transparent.
i think you are a crazy fiend!!! I LOVED this movie...after i walked out of the theater i couldn't get it out of my head... the more i thought about it, the more i fell in love with joker (i'm weird i know)... i found myself strangely attracted to him. I think i need to be put away. I do agree about Mr. Bale's "batman voice" though.. it maked everything so FAKE for me every time he'd talk. Just do cool stunts and fights MR. Batman and only talk when you're Bruce. As for the lisp.. i like it. My opinions about joker are this.... joker isn't conflicted... he's PASSED that. He's lost all sense of humanity and that's what makes him such a good villain. I liked him... loved him. whatever. :)
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts and review.
ReplyDeleteI actually really liked it. I was laughing at Batman's voice for sure, and I hated Rachel (not a tear did I shed for her death), but I really felt like the theme hit home for me. I liked the feeling that all was completely hopeless, and yet there were those who found hope. Some in the wrong things--like love--and when that was gone, they lost their faith. But Batman was willing to take the blame so that the city could continue in their belief that there IS incorruptible good. That was the most important point, I think. I especially liked the scene with the boats who were supposed to blow each other up and the unexpected belief in the goodness of humanity which is often missing in movies, and which balanced out the idea of pure evil for the sake of evil that we saw in the Joker. Both were exaggerated. I thought that although it was dark, it was showing good for good and evil for evil, and therefore gets my vote. I think it was the best batman so far in terms of depth of meaning. However, it didn't keep me thinking about it for days as some of my favorites do. It was just a good movie--not the best of the best ever.
ReplyDelete