The Dark Knight Review

[anogete]

I wanted to like The Dark Knight just because all of you like it so much. I wanted it to be innovative and interesting and dark and beautiful and exciting. And, I am sad to say, I got none of that from it. My complaints are legion, so I suppose I will say that things I liked about it since that is a much shorter list. I enjoyed The Joker and Heath Ledger's portrayal of him, and I enjoyed the method in which he created chaos in the city. And... well, that's about it. I'm tempted to list all the faults I found with the movie, but it wouldn't do me or anyone else any good. I will concede that part of my dislike was due to the pacing and the ridiculous amount of unbelievable and silly action sequences, of which I am most definitely not a fan of. I appreciate action films and have quite a few on my list of favorite films, but they have to be done with tension and beauty. I thought The Dark Knight's action sequences were done like a Michael Bay movie. And I hate Michael Bay movies. However, many people enjoy that sort of thing, so I guess the bad taste it leaves in my mouth is just a personal opinion.

I rate all movies I see on a scale of one to ten, ten being the best. I suspect I am much harsher than many critics in rating movies because all films start at a five with me. From five, they can gain and lose points for things I do and don't like. For example, American Psycho (a favorite of mine and another Christian Bale movie) I rated as a 9. The classic Death of a Salesman was given a 7.5. Office Space was given a 6 because the first half hour was golden while the rest of it was lackluster. The Discrete Charm of the Bourgeoisie (a ridiculous French film) and Hannah and Her Sisters (a lamentably bad Woody Allen movie) both received a 1.5.

When I finished watching The Dark Knight, I was willing to give it a 5, but that was mainly because I had heard so many good things about it on the internet. Really, if I am as tough on it as I am on all other movies, it would receive a 4 or 4.5. Heath Ledger was not enough to save a stiff Bruce-Wayne-Batman and a revolving cast of boring characters from poo-poo-ness.

So, now I'm disappointed. I thought I'd like it more and be all jazzed about looking up websites and communities after seeing the film, but I have no desire whatsoever. Jason left the movie feeling underwhelmed as well, so this isn't just me. I swear I'm not a freak. Don't angrily throw shoes at me. If you do, make them cute shoes and in a size 8 1/2. ;-)

Comments

[myvacuumsucks.livejournal.com]

Don't forget to mention the underlying chastisement of society for allowing governmental intrusion through tapping cell phones.

Or Bruce Wayne's perpetual sore throat that makes him sound like Harvey Fierstein.

Or Maggie Gyllenhaal's constant underacting in tense scenes.

Or...oh screw it.

The only good actor in this entire movie isn't alive to receive his due appreciation.

But you must admit, the disappearing pencil scene was freaking hilarious. Am I right?

[anogete.livejournal.com]

The pencil scene was probably the best scene in the entire movie. One of my major complaints is about Harvey Dent. Everyone kept talking about how tragic his story was, but I found it to be ridiculous. You can't take the best of the good guys and turn him into an evil character in fifteen minutes. Had he been an established character from a previous movie, then his downfall in this movie might have been more poignant. Instead, it just felt rushed and out-of-character, bordering on silly. Plus, his face was pathetic-looking. Catching on fire for a couple seconds, even with the oil on his face, would not melt away all your skin and tissue. Acid might do that, but not being on fire for a whole two to three seconds. It was far too clean and pretty-looking to be believable.

Most of the action sequences were unbelievable, even in a fantasy film. They could have done a much better job at it, especially seeing as how Batman is not supposed to have super powers. It just felt like the director was playing a game of top-that with all the other big budget action films out there nowadays.

I bought someone a copy of the movie for Christmas because she asked for it. Now I'm ashamed I actually went in a store and purchased it.

[myvacuumsucks.livejournal.com]

Maybe Harvey Dent had some inner demons just waiting to come out, in the off chance he was tied up in a building rigged with explosives and oil cans filled with sulfuric acid.

I didn't want to see action scenes. I like Batman for the story. And pencils being shoved into skulls. And Heath Ledger in a nurse's outfit, walking away while a hospital is destroyed.

The obligatory car chase was boring. Maybe I'm passive-aggressive, but I like seeing the Joker terrorizing society from the background, always mysteriously causing mischief. You know, like a Joker.

However, I do like how Ahhnold, George Clooney and Chris O'Donnell were not in this. That is enough to make me actually spend money to see a Batman movie.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Oh, crap... I have forgotten about how horrible some of the other Batman movies have been. George Clooney and Chris O'Donnell. Ha!

I watch too many movies to be satisfied with mediocre blockbusters. Plus, before I even went into the movie, I was annoyed at all the dumb girls out there who have made blog posts about how they "like totally identify with the Joker." Suuuuure...

[ladymina.livejournal.com]

god that sounds annoying, identifying with the joker sounds like a serious problem ...

I liked the movie on big screen but I wouldn't want to watch it anywhereelse - and the setting and timing might have had something to do with me liking it too

[fishchick.livejournal.com]

One of my major complaints is about Harvey Dent. Everyone kept talking about how tragic his story was, but I found it to be ridiculous. You can't take the best of the good guys and turn him into an evil character in fifteen minutes.

My sister just made me watch this Monday night, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. It made absolutely no freaking sense at all. (Although his character always seemed kind of slimy to me, even at the beginning. But there's still a huge jump from slick politician to deformed killer.)

[bleedtoblue.livejournal.com]

I always feel terribly let down when everyone likes a movie and I think it sucks. I forgot to say that I thought Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance was pretty terrible. I never thought I'd miss Katie Holmes.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Oh! She was supposed to have taken over the character from Katie Holmes? Uck. They should have just created a new character. I really hate when they try to pull a fast one on the audience like that.

[theredzebra1.livejournal.com]

I hated this film. The Michael Bay comparison is apropos. I found myself liking the Joker, kind of rooting for him to upend this rotting society. A revolution needs someone who wants to see the world burn, just to get rid of all the deadwood. Okay, enough of my incendiary remarks.
Feels good to agree with someone else about it.

[marasmine.livejournal.com]

It's not on my list to watch but if it was I'd drop it a few places... No I wouldn't - I'd bump it up just to see how awful it is! I grew up with the Adam West TV Batman, not the comics, and just can't take to the current crop of Batman movies.