Thursday, July 24, 2008

Batman: The Dark Knight

I woke up early today despite the vacation status. Blame it on Batman: The Dark Knight movie. I watched it with Mitch and with Sun Valley friends last night and it's as if we went on a drinking session. Just like when you get drunk and there's still residue of alcohol seeping through your veins; I have that kind of hangover with Batman. Putting it into extremes I've on and off dreamed about the movie, with emphasis on Christian Bale of course.

Probably this is the best, most complex and powerfully-casted Batman movie I've ever seen. This is not a beginner's best waters. Everything about it is redefined to utmost reality given all the necessary complexities of the human personalities. This is a movie wherein we see beyond the iconic characters that we've all grown to love. If you're expecting a simple climactic flow of the battle of good and evil, this is not the movie you're looking for. It takes you on a fast pivotal journey that defies the linear flow of what a normal movie should be like. This movie is beyond all the action sequences and the charisma of characters. This superhero franchise is a DAMN INTELLIGENT MOVIE that makes complexities and detailed use of intense sequences the main ingredients. I sincerely felt I was taken into a smashing rollercoaster ride that keeps on going on and on. I even told Mitch that Christopher Nolan, the story writers, the cast and the crew did a painstakingly brilliant job with this that no wonder some person's got a little bit intense. I cannot even begin to imagine how a simple Batman Movie of Schumacher's have transformed into a rich, complex and intense version of Christopher Nolan's.





Who would have thought that a simple Superhero franchise could come up with an intense and rich plot that really made the sole foundation of this brilliant movie? Usually some movies attempt to branch out sequences and disperse the story lines and character focus, but most fail to produce a concise and well-thought movie. Here, it's chaos with utmost sense that clings to the main plot that you would never get left out nor lost. It's intelligent in a sense that it gives the viewers the constant mental exercise and reflections of the story behind Batman, the Gotham society and the other characters. The action scenes, gadget scenes and even a little bit of romance scenes were mere accessories to the film. We got blown away by the originality and the breathtaking moments, yet we always went back and clung to the story, not the other way around.

Action scenes of individual combats were minimal. It's forgivable since Batman had already proven his ability in this genre, although you get to enjoy Batman's rage against Joker once in a while, see Batman irritated at its finest. But if you're seeking new Gadgets and Technology, there's this cool Sonar addition led by Lucius Fox, and not to mention the Lamborghini, Batmobile, Bat-cycle and the usual computer enhanced headquarters. Major sequences such as the building gliding, highway chase, Truck somersault, explosions fused with all other brilliant visuals, scores and sound effects support this brilliant creation.

Mentioning the brilliant story, the cool action and gadget sequences with the eerie ability of sound and effects, the actors also deserve an ovation. There were no bit parts here. Every part was important and brilliantly played by equally popular actors (Such as "mahone" in prison break, Cillian Murphy "Scarecrow" "Mr. Reese"). Heath Ledger's Joker gave more complexities to the already twisted complex villain. Here is he not the comical pompous character he used to be. Heath Ledger gave Joker a more human and intense side. He plays the character so well that you forget who's behind that messy make up. He easily stole the show and he gave justice to the Joker we all know. I kept on thinking with regards to the next Batman movie, the next actor would have LARGE shoes to fill.




Christian Bale's Batman is smashing as ever. But I've got to admit, because of the story, Batman's Character was not the glorious cape crusader he once was known to be. Here he has inner dilemmas with his own position in Gotham society and his presence were swayed by the various characters who make up the story. He is probably the most edgy Batman for me. His handsomeness is not commercial! He embodies the perfect Batman. Despite that synthetic voice whenever he's in a suit...I still adore him!!!




Gary Oldman as Gordon gives a consistent and strong performance. He is still freaking handsome by the way. Aaron Eckhart plays the blond debonair Harvey Dent opposite Christian Bale's dark and edgy appearance. He is very effective together with the other characters, and he introduces the twisted Two-Face, who was once played by Tommy Lee Jones. Morgan Freeman's Lucius Fox is also consistent, the usual performance you could expect from Morgan Freeman. Maggie Gyllenhaal's Rachel Smith is unexpected, yet perfect fit for the movie. Every character was pulled together by the story and they all played marvelously well. Good job to the casting directors and good job to these actors.



Some scenes I like are:

1. Ferry's Social Experiment. It really makes you wonder if you were in their position
2. Joker's true reason for his being. He is after beyond the money. He is smarter than you think.

3. Harvey Dent's real purpose in the story. He served as the turning point and proof of Joker's brilliant mind of turning Gotham's White Knight to the worst.
4. Batman's true level of endurance. (We're not talking about Physical here) Why he becomes the Dark Knight. Batman's role a the hero, changing the course of Gotham.

5. Peek of the next installment!!

6. ARROGANT lines that will leave you cracking. Only Bruce Wayne could pull it off:


Alfred: Will you be using the batmobile, sir?
Bruce:
In the middle of day, Alfred?
Alfred:
Of course not. The Lamborghini, much more subtle.

Bruce bumps into Rachel Smith and Harvey Dent in a crowded posh restaurant
Bruce Wayne: [after walking into his restaurant] Why don't we put some tables together?
Harvey Dent: I don't think they'll let us. Bruce Wayne: They should…I own the place.
Lucius on Mr. Reeds' accusation against Bruce Wayne
Lucius Fox: Let me get this straight. You think that your employer, one of the richest men in the world, is spending his nights running around the city beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands? And your plan is to blackmail him? Good luck with that.

This is the perfect relationship of Batman and Joker:


Batman: Why do you wanna kill me?
The Joker: Kill you? I don't wanna kill you... you complete me.

Harvey Dent: It's either you die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself as a villain

Bruce Wayne: I knew the mob wouldn't go down without a fight. But this is different. They crossed the line.
Alfred Pennyworth: You crossed the line first, sir. You squeezed them, you hammered them. And in their desperation they turned to a man they didn't fully understand.


Waiting for more than 4 hours in the mall, buying an additional 6 good ticket seats for friends made it all worth it. The 190 pesos for roughly 3 hours ride didn't leave us hanging. All aspects of the movie were brilliantly done. Recommending it is already an understatement.

PS: People were asking me which one I'd pick or recommend more, Spiderman or Batman? Well just in case you're wondering....hands down I'm for the BAT. (Movie-wise and character wise)

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