THE DARK KNIGHT

With Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Monique Curnen, Cillian Murphy


Written by Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer
Directed by Christopher Nolan

Bob Kane’s famous vigilante character remains one of the most popular of all time.
Director Christopher Nolan (and his co-writer brother Jonathan) has reinvented the Batman franchise with a vengeance. His second take on the caped crusader is as dark in theme and adult in nature as Batman Begins.
The wealthy Bruce Wayne wants to hang up his cape and sees the hope for a new, legal saviour in the shape of district attorney Harvey Dent. But the ideals of a crime-free Gotham City is crushed when The Joker (revised by Heath Ledger) holds the city to ransom, an additional villain also born as a result. The only man who can stop the madman is of course, the Batman. High-tech, slick and realistic all in one, this is top notch entertainment leaving the camp direction given the character by Joel Schumacher even further in the rear view mirror. In a way I miss the far-fetched nature of the early editions, but when weighed, the comic book look and gimmicks overtaking the gothic feel of Tim Burton's first two installments got a bit too much (cue the tight rubber butt shots). In some respects the reality (and far too many daylight scenes) contradict the title of the film, but you cannot cling to one thing without at least trying to expand the concept.
Sadly this also happens to be one of the last roles by Heath Ledger who died shortly after the film’s completion (and earned him a posthumous supporting actor Golden Globe win).

Besides the amazing sound quality and IMAX picture resolution for many of the big action scenes, the Blu-ray extras on this double disc edition include focus point behind-the-scenes clips which can also be viewed independently. These cover
amazing detail on the movie's planning, design, the incorporation and difficulties of the IMAX format, stunts, the new batsuit, batpod, Batman tech (and its base in reality), a look at the psychology of Batman, 6 episodes from Gotham's cable news channel and a whole lot more.

5 / B
- Paul Blom


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A
- B - C


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THE FLAMEDROP RATING SYSTEM
- 6 - Volcanic
- 5 - Blistering
- 4 - Hot
- 3 - Smolder
- 2 - Room Temp.
- 1 - Fizzled
- 0 - Extinguished

- A: Multi-Viewing Potential

- B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

- C: Once Should Suffice









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