The past few reviews or comments I have left here have been a bit on the negative side so I thought I would try and write a little something about one of the recent movies I have enjoyed.
Although I did not have low expectations for The Dark Knight (2008) It did prove to be a much different film than I had expected to see. While I had been expecting a rather large and impressive opening to the film, something that demonstrated the technological savvy and physical prowess of the hero Christopher Nolan chose a very different kind of opening. Using a minimal sound design that emphasizes the busts and pops of weapons firing the very tame actions of this opening sequence are made menacing and exciting. In fact the opening is oddly reminiscent of The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) which is in an entirely different neighborhood than they typical comic book movie.
In a similar manner the casting of this film is somewhat unusual. Obviously the most noted and, I think, most impressive of the performances comes from Heath Ledger. His portrayal of the joker is equal parts menace and madness and the scenes where he the camera stays in close are particularly effective. The cast members who returned from the first film are also a pleasure to watch, but then Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman always are. Gary Oldman continues to subtly add to these films in a wonderfully understated way that conveys an undeniable sense of realness to his character.
What struck me as one of the boldest moves for this movie is how little screen time Bruce Wayne/Batman actually has. It feels as though he is absent from half of the scenes which is undoubtedly a record for this kind of film.
The Dark Knight is a fantastic sequel precisely because the filmmakers decided to make a new movie that builds from the first but also stands firmly on it's own. By shifting the focus onto the supporting characters and avoiding some of the expected conventions of this style of movie they managed to make an entertaining and convincing film that deftly avoids the pitfalls of movies based on comics.