The Dark Knight (SPOILERS)

[gbeenie]

BTW, if your (regular theatrical; I don't know about IMAX) viewing of The Dark Knight is not preceded by a trailer for Watchmen, you should complain to the manager. There are few things sadder than a projectionist who doesn't know anything about movies.

[RoninFox]

I'll probably say more later, much much more, but I'm only stopping by at home and I'll likely be out late.  Occasions to wear a bright purple suit are rare and I plan to take advantage.

I will have to say this though.

THAT!  THAT is the Joker!  Pure and simple, I'm not just gushing to be part of the crowd or saying it because he's dead and it's in vogue to praise him, Heath was the perfect Joker for this film!

[Nergol]

Strangely, I think a poster on 4chan nailed the Nolan/Ledger Joker when he said that the Joker "just did it for the lulz".

This Joker had almost the personality of an internet troll. Internet trolls have that weird thing going on where they do what they do seemingly half out of getting a charge from upsetting people and half out of sheer boredom. The Joker had no greed, and didn't even seem to derive pleasure from killing as much as he didn't care if people got killed in the course of his amusing himself and running little social experiments just out of bemused interest in seeing what happened. Like a kid who pulls the wings off a butterfly not particularly to be cruel to the butterfly, but just to see what the butterfly will do without them.

Comparing the Burton/Nicholson Joker and the Nolan/Ledger joker is simply impossible - apples and oranges. Both were good, and completely different. Maybe this is a case in which there is no wrong answer, but both answers can be right in their own way.

[RoninFox]

Strangely, I think a poster on 4chan nailed the Nolan/Ledger Joker when he said that the Joker "just did it for the lulz".

This Joker had almost the personality of an internet troll. Internet trolls have that weird thing going on where they do what they do seemingly half out of getting a charge from upsetting people and half out of sheer boredom. The Joker had no greed, and didn't even seem to derive pleasure from killing as much as he didn't care if people got killed in the course of his amusing himself and running little social experiments just out of bemused interest in seeing what happened. Like a kid who pulls the wings off a butterfly not particularly to be cruel to the butterfly, but just to see what the butterfly will do without them.

Comparing the Burton/Nicholson Joker and the Nolan/Ledger joker is simply impossible - apples and oranges. Both were good, and completely different. Maybe this is a case in which there is no wrong answer, but both answers can be right in their own way.

Well put.  That's why I was trying to be clear saying "perfect Joker for this flim"

I also think this version, just in mentality, better reflects the Joker of the comics.

[a pretty girl is like]

IReally, together with Batman Begins, it just makes other superhero movies look downright silly by comparison.

I agree with pretty much all your points and share your jacked up beyond belief enthusiasm but this one sorta.  As good as Batman Begins is, The Dark Knight leaves it behind along with all the other superhero movies.  Batman Begins is still loaded with that cumbersome origin story and a too eloquent villain with a convoluted master plan.  The Dark Knight isn't as burdened and is free to establish new rules to play by.

[BBQ Platypus]

IReally, together with Batman Begins, it just makes other superhero movies look downright silly by comparison.

I agree with pretty much all your points and share your jacked up beyond belief enthusiasm but this one sorta.  As good as Batman Begins is, The Dark Knight leaves it behind along with all the other superhero movies.  Batman Begins is still loaded with that cumbersome origin story and a too eloquent villain with a convoluted master plan.  The Dark Knight isn't as burdened and is free to establish new rules to play by.

You know what...I actually kind of agree with you there.  As great as Begins was, TDK was a more mature film.

[RoninFox]

IReally, together with Batman Begins, it just makes other superhero movies look downright silly by comparison.

I agree with pretty much all your points and share your jacked up beyond belief enthusiasm but this one sorta.  As good as Batman Begins is, The Dark Knight leaves it behind along with all the other superhero movies.  Batman Begins is still loaded with that cumbersome origin story and a too eloquent villain with a convoluted master plan.  The Dark Knight isn't as burdened and is free to establish new rules to play by.

You know what...I actually kind of agree with you there.  As great as Begins was, TDK was a more mature film.

I'll throw in with that.  It was kind of like how I liked X2 better than X-Men 1, they got through all the neccessary origin stuff with the first one and were left to play the game they wanted with the second.  The commentary for part two even referred to the first movie as a giant trailer for the sequel.

Though this takes it to another level.  With both Batman Begins and Dark Knight I was very conscious of how long they were while I was watching.  That's normally not a good sign, but in their cases it worked.  I knew they were long, but I liked it, you could feel a sense of length because they both built up well to their climax.  Dark Knight did it better though.

[Doktor Sleepless]

I really really wanted to like this movie. However when it came down to it, Bale's Batman voice always made me laugh, and the script was an epic speech every other moment and the moments that weren't speech, just awkward jokes. Once again female love interest was unnecessary, unwarranted, and unhelpful. Then you get into Joker just being a prick with makeup, and Dent being hacked into gimmick fodder for Batman instead of a standalone villain. I don't know, at least Hell Boy two wasn't meant to be taken seriously.

[BBQ Platypus]

I really really wanted to like this movie. However when it came down to it, Bale's Batman voice always made me laugh, and the script was an epic speech every other moment and the moments that weren't speech, just awkward jokes. Once again female love interest was unnecessary, unwarranted, and unhelpful. Then you get into Joker just being a prick with makeup, and Dent being hacked into gimmick fodder for Batman instead of a standalone villain. I don't know, at least Hell Boy two wasn't meant to be taken seriously.

I reply to your post...with a resounding "meh."  There has never been a movie that absolutely EVERYBODY loves.  Just understand that you're in the minority here.  And I personally think the problem is you weren't really "on board" with the movie - didn't "get it," if you will (DISCLAIMER:  "Not getting" a movie DOES NOT mean that you're stupid, nor does it reflect poorly upon you in any way).  Just understand that to say that you're in the minority here would be a gross understatement.

I could argue with you (among other things, I'd say that Harvey Dent's character was most certainly NOT a gimmick, but an integral part of the plot who was central to one of the film's most important themes, and that the Joker is a PSYCHOPATH with makeup and no mere prick).  But, like all arguments on the Internet, it would be about as fruitful as pissing in the wind.  Hats off to you, good sir, for being brave enough to state your opinion in a thread full of drooling, impressed fanboys.

[Doktor Sleepless]

Everyone seemed to love Juno before and after it came out, now no one talks about it, it seems. I'm sure this movie will be talked about a good while, I'm sure Heath Ledger will be up for an oscar and get it. I'm sure you all will say huzzah and finally the oscar gets it right and so forth. Doesn't mean any of that is right, just means I'm glad I am me, and you are you, and that ten years from now when someone else "reinvents" Batman. I still will be glad I am me, and you will be whoever you are.

[BBQ Platypus]

Well...that was quite a civilized exchange.  And now for something completely different!

"Dark Knight" earns over $60 million

Geez....I knew this movie was going to make a shitton of money, but I wasn't expecting it to break Spider-Man 3's record.

[Thorns of Crimson Death]

BEST. JOKER. EVER.

I don't want to hear about anybody else playing him in the past.  This is what The Joker was always supposed to be.  Completely psychotic and unpredictable. I take back all the "Brokeback Mountain" jokes I've made about Heath Ledger in the past, he's a far better actor then I thought he was capable of being from what I've seen him in before.  And he was absolutely BRILLIANT in this film. 

[Doktor Sleepless]

 

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

Well...that was quite a civilized exchange.  And now for something completely different!

"Dark Knight" earns over $60 million

Geez....I knew this movie was going to make a shitton of money, but I wasn't expecting it to break Spider-Man 3's record.

and it has no where to go but up, okay

[Cosmic Muse]

BEST. JOKER. EVER.

I have to agree with you here. It's just too bad that Heath Ledger left this world so prematurely before he really had the chance to shine in other roles. His Joker is something to behold indeed.