The Dark Knight review: Gutted

[Lord Camomile]

Remember, I am a fan of all Batman media, I love Heath Ledger and Bale, I was looking forward to seeing the film, I was at the press premiere, and it was on Imax - all the ingredients were there to make me love it.

But still I did not.

But did you have joy in your heart?

 

[Wookey]

But did you have joy in your heart?

Yes! And a hole in my bucket!! And still I was not touched.

I think it all boils down to three words:

I expected better.

Really, if you loved the film, that's great! And I love your low expectations too.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Actually, I had pretty high expectations for this one (although possibly without knowing what to expect, if that makes sense), and was all ready to be disappointed, but came out of the cinema saying pretty much "I can't believe that lived up to the hype".

I've watched it a few more times since and without the hoopla it's certainly not a perfect film, but I still think it's very, very impressive and a damn good film.

 

[Wookey]

Actually, I had pretty high expectations for this one (although possibly without knowing what to expect, if that makes ense), and was all ready to be disappointed, but came out of the cinema saying pretty much "I can't believe that lived up to the hype".

I've watched it a few more times since and without the hoopla it's certainly not a perfect film, but I still think it's very, very impressive and a damn good film.

You can't argue against that!! Glad you loved it.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

I would be prepared to watch this film again (to spot the Shakespearean undercurrent!) but re-reading my review, it still feels accurate.

Remember, I am a fan of all Batman media, I love Heath Ledger and Bale, I was looking forward to seeing the film, I was at the press premiere surrounded by Batgeeks and hardcore comicheads, and it was on Imax - all the ingredients were there to make me love it.

But still I did not.

I think it's a film that's more enjoyable to watch at home. So much happens in it, it's so well crafted, that it's hard to take it all in at the cinema.

 

[DotCommunist]

It is a defense of fascism and a surreptitious attack on liberalism



*runs away*

 

[Wookey]

I think it's a film that's more enjoyable to watch at home. So much happens in it, it's so well crafted, that it's hard to take it all in at the cinema.

It was on an Imax too, and I find that unless you are near the back they can be quite hard to watch - and I was in the middle.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Really, if you loved the film, that's great! And I love your low expectations too.

patronising nonsense. Low expectations are the sort of people who see any old shit with no story or plot and say 'but it was fun'.

I've said for years and years but why can't they make an action film but also make it like a proper film with a plot which you can compare to anything rather than just the standards of action films. People laughed at me. When i saw this, it's like finally they've done it. Batman Begins too, but the slightly clunky script just edges BB behind this.

 

[Lord Camomile]

I think it's a film that's more enjoyable to watch at home. So much happens in it, it's so well crafted, that it's hard to take it all in at the cinema.

Really? Given the cinematography I'd say it's cinema all the way, and IMAX if you can.

You certainly get a different experience watching it on TV (says the bloke who is still yet to actually do so ) but I really don't think you could say it's more enjoyable.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

It is a defense of fascism and a surreptitious attack on liberalism

*runs away*

 

[stupid dogbot]

You know, this was ok. But best film ever? Heh.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Really? Given the cinematography I'd say it's cinema all the way, and IMAX if you can.

You certainly get a different experience watching it on TV (says the bloke who is still yet to actually do so ) but I really don't think you could say it's more enjoyable.

Yeah. I dunno why. Some of my favourite big movies, I've found that in the cinema, it's like I'm being bombarded. I had that reaction to The Two Towers to start with, and then it grew on me when I watched it again on the DVD.

On the other hand, Star Trek was awesome in the cinema.

Thing about The Dark Knight is that it isn't really an action film, there are chases but they aren't the main thing, it's more comparable with something a bit above that.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

You know, this was ok. But best film ever? Heh.

I'm not saying it's the best film ever, I just can't think of many other things which blend so many different things together. Like having twists, but them actually being there as part of the story rather than the film just building to the twist, like having action, but the action is driving the other elements of the story. And not being a typical hollywood plastic film in a lot of ways. And so on.

 

[Wookey]

Thing about The Dark Knight is that it isn't really an action film, there are chases but they aren't the main thing, it's more comparable with something a bit above that.

Like Shakespeare!

 

[Wookey]

I went to the toilet twice too, that didn't help.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Like Shakespeare!

That was actually what my mate said, not me. But it's definitely got as much substance as a lot of supposedly 'high brow' films.

 

[Wookey]

That was actually what my mate said, not me. But it's definitely got as much substance as a lot of supposedly 'high brow' films.

What do you mean by substance?

And what do you mean by 'high-brow'? Giz an example.

 

[soluble duck]

I think it's a film that's more enjoyable to watch at home. So much happens in it, it's so well crafted, that it's hard to take it all in at the cinema.

I think there is some truth in this. I saw it in the cinema last year, and although I enjoyed it, I felt a bit tired at the end, and not in a very 'Wow, what a great film' mood.

But then I watched it in HD on the telly the other day and thought it was a lot better. Particularly because I didn't have to focus so much on the plot which is a bit too drawn out for me, as I don't like comics beyond the art.

The acting is great, particularly Ledger and Bale. I know everyone made a big deal over Ledger's performance but it really is great. I also like the end part of the film where Two Face is introduced as the new baddie.

It is overrated (it is not the best film ever made, not even the best film of last year), but is an entirely good watch and a few great performances

 

[Wookey]

It is overrated (it is not the best film ever made, not even the best film of last year), but is an entirely good watch and a few great performances

I'd agree with that wholeheartedly.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

What do you mean by substance?

And what do you mean by 'high-brow'? Giz an example.

Oh, i don't know, high brow is the wrong word. What I mean is that it's a good film, and doesn't need to be qualified by saying 'it's a good action film'.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

What do you mean by substance?

And what do you mean by 'high-brow'? Giz an example.

Apocalypse Now, Godfather, etc.

I would ascertain that it's as good as or better than those films.

 

[stupid dogbot]

I'm not saying it's the best film ever, I just can't think of many other things which blend so many different things together. Like having twists, but them actually being there as part of the story rather than the film just building to the twist, like having action, but the action is driving the other elements of the story. And not being a typical hollywood plastic film in a lot of ways. And so on.

Sorry, wasn't aimed at you mate - I meant where someone had said it's now rated best film ever on IMDB or whatever.

I don't mean to suggest you're wrong, at all. Personally, I enjoyed it, but only as a couple of hours of entertainment, as opposed to great art.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Sorry, wasn't aimed at you mate - I meant where someone had said it's now rated best film ever on IMDB or whatever.

I don't mean to suggest you're wrong, at all. Personally, I enjoyed it, but only as a couple of hours of entertainment, as opposed to great art.

Fair play. I reckon it comes pretty close to blurring the line though

 

[Wookey]

Apocalypse Now, Godfather, etc.

I would ascertain that it's as good as or better than those films.

Wow.

I see what you mean that you would compare it to other 'great' films, rather than judge it purely as an action movie.

I honestly think that's great that you got that out of it. I thought it had some good elements, and many people loved it. It just didn't 'work' on me I don't think, perhaps because it was clearly trying to be a multi-dimensional film - but it didn't have high enough aims, imo.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

I honestly think it's got so much to it that you need to watch it 2-3 times...

 

[kyser_soze]

Lord Camomile - if you do watch it at home try and do so on a Bluray with a 1080p telly! You get full screen goodness for the big actions scenes and it looks absolutley amazing.

I'm with udw on this - I've watched it several times at home, and it's far easier to appreciate the character performances than on a big screen, which for me tended toward the 'woah!' approach.

Plus Ledger's monologues are fucking brilliant - my favourite is his speech to Harvey Dent in the hospital, but all of them are great.

Not the best film ever, no, but I think udw's comparisons with films like Apocalypse now is valid, and that for me it deserves the title 'film' rather than 'movie'.

 

[Wookey]

I honestly think it's got so much to it that you need to watch it 2-3 times...

Some would argue you only have to watch the best films once to understand they are great. If someone said to me: 'It's a great novel, but you have to read it three times before you appreciate how great it is,' then I think I would consider that author to have failed in their primary task of communication, somewhat.

Three times 2.5 hours is 7.5 hours! I could write my own comic book in that time!

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Yeah, I remember you saying the same thing about Batman Begins, and I agreed, although I do wish that Jonathan Nolan had done the script for that too, as while there are some good lines, the script for the Dark Knight is definitely better

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Some would argue you only have to watch the best films once to understand they are great. If someone said to me: 'It's a great novel, but you have to read it three times before you appreciate how great it is,' then I think I would consider that author to have failed in their primary task of communication, somewhat.

Three times 2.5 hours is 7.5 hours! I could write my own comic book in that time!

Hmm.

I think books are wholly different from films. Many films which seem totally amazing the first time you see them, kind of lose their appeal when you watch them again. I would compare films more with music, and on your argument, we'd be chucking most of Sonic Youth's great albums out of the window just for starters.

With books you sit and take it all in at your own pace. Some books have got lots to take in, but it doesn't matter as you turn the page when you're ready.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Some would argue you only have to watch the best films once to understand they are great. If someone said to me: 'It's a great novel, but you have to read it three times before you appreciate how great it is,' then I think I would consider that author to have failed in their primary task of communication, somewhat.

Three times 2.5 hours is 7.5 hours! I could write my own comic book in that time!

Not to mention the Wire. If I had taken your approach I never would have bothered with it, it took me watching the first 3-4 episodes about 4 times before I finally 'got' it.