How do you follow up the solid reboot that was Batman Begins? Director Christopher Nolan does an amazing job meeting expectations with Dark Knight, dazzling us with deep moral themes and sheer spectacle. Nolan gets even deep into the Batman character in this one, and juxtaposes the Joker to comment on the human condition (the Joker comments in one scene to Batman, "You complete me" and he means it). In this tale, Bruce Wayne is growing weary of being the heroic vigilante, hoping for a normal life. But his run in with the Joker makes this nearly impossible.
Christian Bale performs superbly in his second appearance as Batman/Wayne. But Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is a real treat, suggesting a posthumous Oscar for best actor. His Joker is a sadist without limit, and wants Batman to be the same. But no fear, we have the characters Alfred (Michael Cane) and Lucious Fox (Morgan Freeman) to give Wayne the moral compass he needs. This film is a must see for any silver screen officianado, though I'd leave the young ones home for this. Incredibly complex, it's haunting and full of unexpected surprises.
POSITIVE CONTENT: There's no question as to good and evil here. But the film asks an excellent question: to what extent should a person go to when fighting evil? The Joker comments that Batman has rules, but the Joker doesn't. Elsewhere, Licious Fox draws the line on not participating in unethical behavior. And then there's Batman himself, who is willing to sacrifice himself for the people of Gotham. It should also be noted that Batman's body count is zero. He fights, but never kills, anyone in this film. Lastly, Commissioner Gordon is the one untouchable in a corrupt workplace.
NEGATIVE CONTENT: There are several scenes some might consider brutality when trying to get the bad guys to talk, though the scenes are not given praise in the storyline.
SPIRITUAL CONTENT: No overt references to faith, but Batman's willingness to sacrifice himself for all people in Gotham gets an honorable mention.
TRIVIA:
- This is the first Batman film to not have "Batman" in the title.
- Off-duty Chicago Police Officers along with Officers from Elyria OH, Hammond IN, Buffalo Grove IL and Joliet IL played Gotham Police officer extras.
- The Gotham license plates are modeled directly off of those of the state of Illinois.
- Holds the record for reaching the $500 million mark the fastest, after 45 days. The former record holder was Titanic (1997) (98 days).
- Made more money than Batman Begins (2005) entire domestic run in only 6 days of release.
- Had the biggest three-day opening weekend of all time with $158 million beating Spider-Man 3 (2007).
- Set a new record for the biggest opening-day gross at the box office with $66.4 million. Former record holder was Spider-Man 3 (2007).
- Had the biggest number of opening theaters with 4366. Former record holder was Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007).
- Set a weekend box-office record for IMAX venues with $6.2 mil. Former record holder was Spider-Man 3 (2007).
- Set a new mark for money earned in midnight showings when it grossed $18.5 million. Former record holder was Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005).
- Holds the record for reaching the $400 million mark the fastest, after 18 days. The former record holder was Shrek 2 (2004) (43 days).
- Holds the record for reaching the $200 million mark the fastest, after only 5 days.
- Holds the record for reaching the $300 million mark the fastest, after only 10 days. Former record holder was Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006).
1 comment:
This movie was awesome!! Though it was the darkest of any Batman movie before. This movie had a dark heavy weight to it. I recently read a blog from "To Write Love On Her Arms" that said how alone the Joker was in this story and how sad at the moment of his death Heath also died alone. Whether by accident or on purpose he was alone there in that apt when he breathed his last. The Joker was so untrusting of others throughout the movie that he had no real group surrounding him to give him direction whether good or bad. It's a great blog and can be read @ www.myspace.com/towriteloveonherarms
I think the heart of this movie is dark but at it's core is the light of hope. It's was great seeing this movie with so many friends and family!! This movie really sparked a lot of conversations and dialogues about life, love, good and evil in a world where there many things around demanding our attention and our adoration but in our hearts we know there is only One whom to it all belongs! Thanks again for going and making arrangements to make this happen!
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