Out of the darkness, comes The Knight
It has been a year of potential blockbuster titles, but few have lived up to expectations. Even the great Indiana Jones ultimately failed to deliver. Fortunately, The Dark Knight makes amends and if you're planning on seeing one movie this year, this should be it.
We've already lavished huge amounts of praise on this epic movie, and we've yet to mention the equally impressive score from composers Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. As with Begins, there's no triumphant Batman theme. Instead, there's a series of weighty and beautiful but tragic tracks to cover each of the characters.
Did we mention the Batpod? No? Well, let's just say that Tim Burton's 1989 Batmobile has always held a special place in our hearts. Nolan's Batpod, similarly, is fast becoming a fan-favourite. You'll be hard pushed to see anything cooler at the cinema this year.
There's also the small matter of IMAX technology. Nolan shot four major action sequences using IMAX 70mm film, and the result is something of a spectacle. The transition from 35mm to 70mm scenes is seamless - and the IMAX sequences are breathtaking. The sheer scope and clarity of the image is fitting to the movie, and though IMAX theatres are limited in quantity here in the UK, it's the ultimate way to experience the movie.
So, is it perfect? Well, almost but not quite. It's a truly epic movie but, for those who don't follow Batman, it could be a little too much to take in during one sitting. Though, we doubt many would object to a second viewing. With so much happening in just two and a half hours, this is a story that could well have encompassed two entire movies.
The one regret, therefore, is that it had to end. Fortunately, even the ending is a fitting spectacle for our Dark Knight.
The Dark Knight isn't just the best comic-book adaptation of all time, it's one of the best movies to date.
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