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Review: The Dark Knight

by Parm Mann on 29 July 2008, 09:14

Tags: The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. (NYSE:TWX)

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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.

HEXUS Rating

5 Star - Must-See

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External Links

Official Dark Knight website

The Dark Knight on IMDB



HEXUS Forums :: 34 Comments

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Gotta agree with all of that. The film is amazing, it really is a contender for one of the best films ever released. The feeling of terror you get as the Joker starts to wreak havok on Gotham is something I've not felt in any film for a long time. You've got to wonder how Nolan (or anyone else) is ever going to top this now.
I thought it was cool. Bale under-acts Batman well, the Joker was top, the “what defines a hero” musing was intelligently done and even the love interest sub-plot wasn't too nauseating.

All in all can't fault it at all but for some reason I left feeling it was really good but not all-time great. I didn't have that WOW feeling like I did when I left The Fellowship of the Ring and I won't be inclined to watch it over and over again like The Godfather.

Well worth seeing nonetheless.
I still prefer George Clooney.


….



JOKE!
I agree to.

I really enjoyed this film. I like the new approach to this franchise, brings it into the 21st century and adds a little more realism to it.

Ledger's performance as the joker was brilliant… I expect there will be an award for him. Its ashame he died so long, I think this film really showed what he was capable of.
Personally I thought it was good, but a little over-hyped.

There were some chase scenes that felt SLOW - 5mph slow - and the Harvey Dent thing didn't work for me. (I wont go into detail as it may spoil it for others).

I didn't leave the cinema thinking “WOW! What the heck was that!?!?”, like I did when seeing the Matrix for the first time.