Batmassive: The Meaning of $300 Million
The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan
Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Eric Roberts, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman
(Warner Brothers; US theatrical: 18 Jul 2008 (General release); UK theatrical: 21 Jul 2008 (General release); 2008)
Official Site
It only took 10 days. Less than two weeks. It remains a stunning accomplishment. It took Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest 16 days to get there. It took the overly hyped third Star Wars prequel Revenge of the Sith 17. Even Spider-Man 3 had to wait 19 days to pull in such scratch. But the superhero phenomenon which is The Dark Knight crossed over the $300 million mark this weekend, cementing the film’s place as 2008’s biggest cinematic story. No one could have predicted such a response, especially for a 150 minute drama that’s more serious than spectacle. Add to that the messageboard concerns over the film’s dark quality and downbeat ending, and the suggestion is that something significant is happening here that just doesn’t occur with your standard popcorn flair.
One thing is clear - Hollywood hacks who think material must be dumbed down and homogenized for audience consumption are probably rethinking said position (and looking for work, hopefully). The Dark Knight is indeed a savvy, smart thriller, built more out of a model similar to the crime epics of Coppola, Mann, and Scorsese than the cut and paste product of your typical comic book adaptation. Co-writer/director Christopher Nolan took some major risks with the material, keeping the danger palpable and the characters complex. As a result, there was a real possibility that this film would not click with crowds. And with the already sizeable returns for other superhero movies this summer (Iron Man and Hancock making the most monetary noise), there was a real risk of something akin to also-ran status
But $300 million big ones speak for themselves, and Knight shows no signs of letting up. It is still a watercolor work, something everyone it talking about in reverent, must-see terms. Granted, the Oscar buzz for the late Heath Ledger may be a bit premature (a nomination is not out of the question, but let’s not hand the statue over to his family just yet), but it is clear that this will be a movie remembered come awards season. But the biggest question, as always, is this - what does this level of success mean for everyone involved? What does earning such a vast sum so quickly signify for the studio? The comic book company? The individuals in front of and behind the camera? For that, we’ll need to do a little above the bottom line analysis. Only then can we see if there’s anything other than triumph for all involved. Let’s begin with:
The Studio - Warner Brothers
After the debacle known as Speed Racer (the audience’s fault, not the film), Warners really needed this sort of monumental result. It helps make that major misstep in marketing seem like nothing more than a business model blip on a high return radar. The studio has been lucky like that as of recent - backing Will Smith’s Christmas hit I Am Legend while taking a drubbing for failures like The Invasion and 10,000 BC. Of course, the real challenge will come when the subject of a third installment is breached. Does the studio rely on Nolan to continue his winning ways, or will they balk and pull a Schumacher out of thin air. Either way, their upcoming releases (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Watchmen) seem to suggest more pluses than movie minuses.
The Source - DC Comics
With Marvel making all the news during Summer’s inaugural months - both good (Iron Man) and not so (The Incredible Hulk) - the comic rival really needed something like this to settle the score. With such underperforming efforts as Constantine and Superman Returns, it was clear that Nolan and his take on the Caped Crusader would make or break the company’s cinematic fortunes. Now, with $300 million and counting, DC has a real reason to smile - and the accolades just keep coming. Last week, the long awaited teaser trailer for Watchmen finally hit the ‘Net, and along with the highly praised Comic-con panel, hinted that 2009 might be equally successful for the catalog - both critically and commercially.
The Writers - Christopher & Jonathan Nolan
If there is any justice in the business of show - and there usually isn’t - Chris and his brother John will become the script doctors du jour of a failing Tinsel Town talent pool. Let’s face it, if Akiva Goldsman can claim an Oscar (and the literary omniscience that seems to accompany it) for his work within the genre, the Nolans should have a rec room full of accolades. The one consistent thing about the product they present is how smart, substantive, and cocksure it really is. When characters speak, they do so in assertions that seem perfect for the situation they are facing. Even better, the dialogue resonates in ways that come back to complement the conservation’s true intent. If Chris decides to drop directing for a while - that is, until the right project comes along - he and Jonathan could clean up in the screenplay polishing department.
The Director - Christopher Nolan
If he didn’t already have carte blanche from the film’s critical reaction, the man behind the Bat’s recent success can surely write his own ticket anywhere in Hollywood now. While there have been hints that he will go back to his inventive indie roots (more Memento than Insomnia, one supposes), it’s clear that Nolan can claim any commercial project he wants. Even better, he’s proven that, within the right framework, audiences will sit through even the most serious, complex entertainment. If he chooses carefully, he can cement his status as one of his generation’s guiding cinematic lights. And of course, there’s always the third installment in the Caped Crusader’s saga to fall back on should he fail. Given his amazing track record so for, that doesn’t seem very likely.
The Actors
Christian Bale
Bale has already proved the impact of a multimillion dollar opening weekend - he was accused of assaulting his mother and sister before the British premiere of The Dark Knight, and even the tabloids have taken his side. Of course, the personal scandal may be nothing more than old school family dissention fueled by sudden financial success, but this is one actor who really doesn’t need the money to make his mark. He’s already keen to revisit the Bruce Wayne saga again (as long as Nolan is behind the lens), and he’s signed on to play another heroic icon - John Connor, the man behind the human rebellion against the machines in the new Terminator film(s). His resume from the past few years is so impressive, that it’s hard to imagine he ever struggled. Hopefully, his success as the Caped Crusader only broadens his potential performance horizons.
Aaron Eckhart
Eckhart has been an indie idol for so long that it’s hard to remember when he was the one getting the push for mainstream leading man status. Remember his turn in the disaster flop The Core? Of his solid work in Erin Brockovich? Returning to smaller projects surely helped his acting cred, but he still needed a breakout part to produce a kind of casting clarity he will surely have now. His amazing working as Harvey “Two Face” Dent delivers that knockout blow. On equal par with the work done by costars Bale and Ledger, Eckhart elevates his spurned and scarred District Attorney into something akin to a Shakespearean tragedy. His arc is so fully formed, and his transformation within it so authentic and real, that when he goes on his last act spree, we sigh at the inevitability of it all - and marvel at how this underrated performer pulls it off.
Heath Ledger
The saddest element of Ledger’s untimely death isn’t the fact that he’s not around now to enjoy the universal praise his eerie work as the Joker is receiving. Nor is it the fact that he won’t be around for the inevitable big money payday once the next installment comes calling. No, what’s most disturbing about Ledger’s passing is that, with this undeniably diabolic characterization, we realize just how much talent we as film fans will be missing out on. No one could have predicted that the sweet, vulnerable man from Brokeback Mountain or The Brothers Grimm had this much menace in him. Even better, his work as the clown prince of chaos leaves a lasting legacy that, in essence, could have tainted the actor forever. If one has to go out - and there is never a rhyme or reason for doing so by your own hand - this unbelievable blaze of glory surely brings things to a clean, karmic conclusion.
The Franchise
This is perhaps the hardest question for the entire post-modern Batman movie. For those who’ve not seen the film, this SPOILER will probably be an unwelcomed bit of advance information, so perhaps you should simply skip this paragraph. Otherwise - having taken the advice of newly appointed Commission Gordon, the Caped Crusader has decided to accept the blame for the many deaths caused by Dent. Instead of a hero, he will become a renegade - or even worse, the stuff of social nightmares. By becoming the bad guy (indirectly, that is), the entire mythos takes a tantalizing turn. Nolan has said that he spent all his creative wealth making this version of the comic book hero, and may not have an answer as to where it goes from here. Between potential villains and likely storylines, there is a lot of uncertainty present, that’s for sure. But where there’s a will - and a big pile of cash - there’s a way. And as they proved this time around, as long as there is true talent involved, anything is possible.
Comments
If you revisit the last arc of the film you will find that Batman, not Gordon, suggests that he accepts blame for the deaths caused by Two Face.
This move, in effect, returns the character to his early roots as a vigilante wanted by the police. This scenario makes far more sense than any previous interpretation of Batman as a “super-hero”.
Comment by Tom Gardner from Oxford — July 29, 2008 @ 2:02 am
The current success of this movie owes much to the media hype, that surround Heath Ledgers death.
His performance is good, but not great, and not worthy of the Oscar gossip that is going on.
I believe that the Joker part, played a significant role in his drug overdose death. To go from being a normal human being to a psychopath in 0 seconds, has to have been drug related.
The sensationalism was not there when River Phoenix overdosed, was it? Am I cynical, or is Ledgers death being used for Studio benefit?
Comment by AVERILL from Perth — July 29, 2008 @ 3:14 am
I disagree with AVERILL in that Heath Ledger’s performance of a SOCIOpath was dead on. He knows the difference between right and wrong…he doesn’t care. And, it is reported that Ledger was having trouble sleeping after this role…hence why he o/d’ed on sleeping pills. I think the performance is certainly worthy of an Oscar nomination as Ledger had never done anything so dark before. This performance made Jack Nicholson’s Joker look campy and amateurish, in my humble opinion.
Comment by Dave — July 29, 2008 @ 3:53 am
I think it was an exceptionally well done film at all levels.
However, having now seen it twice, I am troubled by the moral lessons and philosophical assumptions at its core. Surveillance of the public is OK? We need underground “dark knights” to save us? Terrorism has nothing to do with politics, and is just the product of men who “want to see the world burn”? The public shouldn’t see the truth, for it would only hurt them?
It all smacks me as a little conservative and more -than-a-little cynical. I know, I know… it’s Batman, it’s supposed to be dark. Maybe that explains the appeal to us fearmongered masses. Perhaps a sense of hope, of optimism, will come in a third film.
Comment by Jason from Victoria — July 29, 2008 @ 4:14 am
Well, I think that the next villain will be cat-woman. I don’t know if my guess is right, but when I saw the shot, where Freeman talks with Bale(Batman) about his new suit, and Bale asks if it will be good against dogs, Freeman makes a joke about chichuachua and rotveiler, but ends up saying “it will be good against a cat” (don’t know if citation is right, that’s how I remember it).
Comment by 3dfactor — July 29, 2008 @ 4:23 am
The studio is benefitting from Ledgers death but the massive media coverage is not something they had to create so they are not using his death. Although it’s not impossible they did their part in increasing the hype my point is that they didn’t really have to.
Comment by Viggo — July 29, 2008 @ 4:48 am
It means studios are going to start offing their stars to boost your buck.
Comment by Blair — July 29, 2008 @ 5:27 am
I don’t get AVERILL’s comment.
First (s)he (?) blasts the sensation-seeking reports surrounding Heath Ledger’s tragic passing, but then it looks like (s)he takes the same stance as all these kind of reports by claiming that the Joker role played a huge part in Ledger’s overdose (which was accidentally).
TDK was already a big and very much anticipated movie before Ledger passed away and had already been advertised a lot by viral marketing. I won’t deny that a certain amount of media-hype around Ledger’s persona and death played a significant role in the succes of his portrayal of The Joker in TDK. But I’ve a strong feeling that that role is kind of overrated and I doubt that it was exploited badly by Warner Brothers. Ledger indeed didn’t have to pass away to get the amount of attention his portrayal and TDK now have.
Comment by Ward — July 29, 2008 @ 5:56 am
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Comment by Richard Mongler — July 29, 2008 @ 5:56 am
To those who think that it went downhill for Ledger because of the role: Come on, he was an actor. It was his job to go from normal to psycho in 0 seconds. He had problems sleeping before he got the part. It’s just disrespectful to claim that he suffered from the part.
Comment by Monkeyfever — July 29, 2008 @ 6:28 am
It’s never a good thing for filmgoers when a single movie is so successful. Hollywood lives by the copycat rule: if it worked once, it’ll work again. So much for originality. The suggestion that the Nolan brothers will become the “script doctors du jour” proves my point. They’ve had less than a handful of successful films—and one would be hard pressed to argue that “Insomnia” or “The Prestige” were anything more than average at best. Give me a break. “Dark Knight” is a competent movie, but it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Comment by Anvil from Toronto — July 29, 2008 @ 7:01 am
Heath Ledgers DEAD !?!?!?!?!
Comment by Joe from ACT — July 29, 2008 @ 7:10 am
I’m with you, 3dfactor. I read in a report that the first Catwoman, Julie Newmar, would love it if Angelina Jolie would take the role in a future Batman film. And, AVERILL, what the hell do you mean that Heath Ledger does’t deserve an Oscar? Ledger was dead-on in “The Dark Knight”! Oh, and Joe from ACT, Heath Ledger’s been dead since January.
Comment by Anna — July 29, 2008 @ 7:34 am
There are Actors, and there are Movie Stars.
Actors deserve Oscars, Movie Stars do not.
Ledger played the part written for the joker OK, apart from that terrible lip licking, and sucking noise, but it was not a ‘sensational’ performance which is what Oscar’s are all about.
Sorry you guys but IMHO he was ordinary.
I wasn’t keen on Maggie g much either.!!
Comment by averill from Perth — July 29, 2008 @ 8:21 am
Heath Leadger’s performance WAS outstanding, and I truly believe it’s Oscar worthy. However, many other roles that were said to be great weren’t. Aaron Eckhart had some deep lines, but when he said them, it just sounded really cheesy to me. Christian Bale was good, but not really great (michael keaton IS batman.) Michael Kane’s portrayol of Alfred however, was VERY GOOD, even though he wasn’t in a lot of the movie.
Comment by Bobby J. from Tampa Bay — July 29, 2008 @ 8:50 am
Ledger was the Joker as Joker should be. He has no rules, no goals. All he wants is to cause chaos. To drag everyone down. Could it be done by another actor now that he has shown us the way? Yes, but it doesn’t need it. Nolan’s films are the Batman films we’ve waited all our lives for because they don’t slavishly follow what we’ve seen or read before. That and they’re darn good films period. I really want to see him do a third film in the series, but I don’t want it to fall prey to the trilogy curse- the third film being a monstrous bastardization of what’s come before (SPIDER-MAN 3, X-MEN 3, BATMAN FOREVER, SUPERMAN 3, BLADE 3- even RETURN OF THE JEDI and REVENGE OF THE SITH had elements of pooposity). My guess is the Nolan Bros are WAY too smart for that.
Comment by MajorBloodnok from Titletown U.S.A. — July 29, 2008 @ 9:12 am
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I don’t understand why some of you think Ledger’s performance as the Joker was average. What do you want from the Joker? He was sadistic and evil, and I couldn’t even see Heath Ledger behind that makeup. What criteria are you judging on?
Comment by Stephen — July 29, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Ledger was great. I don’t know if he deserves an Oscar or not, but you can’t say his performance was average. I’m glad that such films are still made today and that there are still true actors. And I’m damn glad that everybody loved the film, although it wasn’t your everyday plane jump-and-run-and-don’t-talk-much comic movie.
Comment by Marin from Bulgaria — July 29, 2008 @ 10:53 am
I have to disagree with “AVERILL”, Heath Ledger did an awesome job, dead or not, he put in incredible effort to create and exciting and interesting character worthy of an award nomination.
Comment by Tyler from Los Angeles — July 29, 2008 @ 11:29 am
So many couch critics on here about how Heath Ledger’s performance wasn’t great it was just okay, wow you have some high standards. I’d like to see you all put on the joker uniform and give it a shot. I mean that in the best way, because you are entitled to not like the performance, but to go out of your way to make that known…well clearly it left a mark on some level.
Comment by Tyler from Los Angeles — July 29, 2008 @ 11:32 am
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Comment by Manuel from Argentina — July 29, 2008 @ 11:35 am
averill, your comments are quite stupid. Heath Ledger licked his lips and made a sucking noise because it was all apart of his character; an edgy and messed up man. In my opinion he was simply amazing in the role and the possible Oscar nomination is very well deserved. Unlike the other characters, when Ledger was on screen it seemed that I was watching not just a film character, but an actual criminal… amazing.
Comment by Seb from UK — July 29, 2008 @ 11:49 am
Averill…
To not understand the greatness that is Ledger’s Joker performance is to not understand acting at all. Ledger’s take on the Joker is a remarkable immersion into darkness, brilliantly fleshed-out and unlike anything we’ve ever seen from the late actor. Even Gary Oldman, that God of acting intensity, spoke of being in awe of Ledger’s complete loss of self. Daniel Day-Lewis has also sung his praises. Indeed, this may be the greatest screen villain since Bill the Butcher. An Oscar would be an understatement.
Comment by Mike G from US — July 29, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
The writer insinuates that Heath Ledger committed suicide (“there is never a rhyme or reason for doing so by your own hand”). This is counterfactual. It was an accidental overdose of legally prescribed sleeping medication.
It was NOT a suicide, and it was NOT od-ing on illegal drugs. Heath Ledger was a brilliant actor, and it’s a shame to see him slandered in tabloids and on ill-informed message boards. I wish he were here to receive his justified accolades.
Comment by Michael from California — July 29, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
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The movie was great , one of the best Batman along with Tim Burton´s Batman and Batman forever.
Heath Ledger´s performance is not only the best in the Batman saga but one of the best performances in a supporting role I have seen in many time.
So comments like this (Comment by AVERILL from Perth — July 29, 2008 @ 4:14 am )
are disrespectful and rude (especially when mention a beloved and talented young actor who has recently left us all)
I do not think at all that Heath ´s performance has something to do with a drug problem
Instead , I think that is awesome the capacity he had to change from a role to an another like that (from Brockeback Mountain´s Ennis del Mar to this new sinister Joker) , I felt really stunned after enjoying this performance
I think this performance is worthy of an Academy Award nomination and that even could win the award (we have to see others performances yet)
I do not like comparisions but this performance is as good as the last awarded (last year Bardem ´s supporting role in No country for old men) or even more difficult to play for an actor .
Here I leave an interview where you can see how Heath Ledger was out of a film set and clear up doubts about if this is or not an awesome performance..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJuvMN4NGf0
Comment by Manuel from Argentina — July 29, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Sorry when I say Batman and Batman forever I did not mean it
Batman and Batman Returns is what I was talking about
Comment by Manuel from Argentina — July 29, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Wow.!! The best Batman Movie ever. All credit goes to entire cast and crew..I believe Batman movie should be dark and chilling storytellin.I found in this movie..Being a childhood fan of this DC Comic Legend..i won’t be false if it crosses the all time record held by Titanic….Point to ponder: this movie also has some sure sucess title “the dark knight”. is it were batman 4 or something else i dont thing it would run this way…name has fame…Mr. Nolan ..hats off to you…and audiences you are gr8..for i always like batman more than superman or sipderman ..etc…....yeah!!!
Comment by joseph sailo from India — July 29, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
I’ll step up to the plate here and defend the camp that thinks Ledger’s performance is overrated.
Put simply, he does a good job acting like a sociopath—I, for one, had no trouble believing he was one—but the role simply doesn’t require much beyond acting like a sociopath. Does he go above and beyond the ol’ call of duty? Sure. But the call itself isn’t particularly demanding to begin with.
I was actually a bigger fan of Eckhardt’s Two-Face, simply because the role required an actual range. He had to transform from a stand-up guy to an inhuman monster, and he made me believe it. He’s simply not going to get the acknowledgement he deserves here, since he’s still alive, but I found him more compelling.
Then again, I’m wrong-wrong-wrong about all of this. The Internets said so. :)
Comment by Luke Harrington from Tulsa — July 29, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
Dear PopMatters,
Great piece on THE DARK KNIGHT!
I have seen the movie twice. It is a better movie the 2nd time around. The story makes more sense & Bale & Eckhardt stand out work stands out much more because The Joker’s glare is not nearly as blinding.
BUT those who think Ledger’s performance is being blown by all the hype surrounding are TOTALLY WRONG. Before this movie I always thought that Al Pacino’s work in GODFATHER I & II was the best I have ever seen. Now I am not so sure. Ledger nukes the screen when you first see the movie. But the 2nd time seeing his effort allows you to fully savor the sublime gestures & line deliveries that haunted your dreams after your 1st encounter with “his” The Joker.
It is truly one of the all-time great roles & performances in movie history.
Cheers.
Comment by Jerald Brewer from Bakersfield, CA — July 29, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
“Averill…
To not understand the greatness that is Ledger’s Joker performance is to not understand acting at all. Ledger’s take on the Joker is a remarkable immersion into darkness, brilliantly fleshed-out and unlike anything we’ve ever seen from the late actor. Even Gary Oldman, that God of acting intensity, spoke of being in awe of Ledger’s complete loss of self. Daniel Day-Lewis has also sung his praises. Indeed, this may be the greatest screen villain since Bill the Butcher. An Oscar would be an understatement.”
Well said Mike G. Especially that last bit.
Comment by soonforget from Thailand — July 29, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
all these nerds and pretentious tools wouldnt give a flip about heath ledger’s “tragic loss of a great talent” if he hadnt been in a batman movie
Comment by young — July 29, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
Bill,
You have hit the nail on the head my fried. We are in total agreement. I can only hope that the runaway sucess of TDK with illustrate to the studio suits that every damn comic movie does not have to be dumbed down nor commercialed up (Spider-Man 3) to be a success. I bet that the suits gehind this summers Incredible Hulk are now cursing their shortsightedness in not allowing Edward Norton to cut a darker, more emotional final release which would have included the attempted suicide rumored to have been cut due to marketability. What they wound up with is as you say another homogenous and bland final product. And much less entertaining than the previous version by Ang lee. I give moviegoers tons of credit and appreciation for seeing and re-seeing TDK. I know I have seen it twice myself…
Comment by Steve Graf from Maryland — July 29, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
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there is a great deal ignorance of acting when people say the role of the joker had anything to do with heath ledger’s death. in an interview with good morning america, christian bale states the same thing. ledger’s co-stars also have commented that when he was on set he was in character, but the second he went off-set he was himself. that is what an actor’s job is, to be the character when it is necessary for performance. there needs to be a better understanding of the art form before people make assumptions.
Comment by maestro620788 — July 29, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
Young ,, Maybe you are too young to understand
Or maybe you are a jackass playing with a computer
From my part I have admired Heath Ledger’s work since a long time and I really don’t care if he is or not in a Batman movie
Brockeback Mountain’s character is enough to considerate Ledger one of the best actors ever
Comment by Manuel from Argentina — July 29, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
Someone above stated the morals within the film to be particularly “conservative” if one were to take an ideological approach. I think the success of the film has much more to do with the anarchal nature of the acts being portrayed. I believe it was the reviewer in the Toronto Star who stated that never before had he witnessed “anarchy” created so vividly on the screen. Given the current political climate within the US and around the world, one can hope that the film is a success due to viewer empathy and not potential inspiration. Perhaps someone should analyze this rather than mere financial allocation.
Comment by luthor from Canada — July 29, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
Annoying lip smacking?
Watch A Clockwork Orange. Heath Ledger modeled his Joker to Alex de Large (he said so himself). He did an awesome job of it.
Remember at the end when Alex is getting mouthfed? That’s the lip smacking right there.
Comment by Esteban from New York City — July 29, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
I don’t know. I wasn’t a big a fan of this movie as I was of Batman Begins. I am a huge, huge Chris Nolan fan, and I was disappointed with this film. To take on both of Batman’s biggest villains, The Joker and Two Face, was a major challenge. The beauty of Nolan brother’s scripts is they are always so tight, but this was a little sprawling. Mostly, though, it was really disturbing how much people laughed at really violent things happening on screen. That’s not Chris Nolan’s fault, but he’s often said that his movies are only finished when the audience has seen it. Did he want it to be funny when the helicopter pilots died in the car chase? Because that SWAT guy saying repeatedly “That’s not good” seemed like it was trying to be funny. I appreciated that he said he was just as confused as anyone by the success of the film at a press conference in Tokyo, And to those people who felt that Ledger’s death was due to his performance, Bale said on NPR that he found such assertions rude and disrespectful of Ledger’s ability as an actor.
Comment by Chris from LA — July 29, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
I thought the movie was amazing, Ledger was amazing as well. Really I couldn’t say enough good things about it.
But for those saying his accidental OD was because of this film, you are seriously mistaken. Ledger had moved on already to another film project (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus by Terry Gilliam) which he was about half way done at the time of his death. So let all just face the fact that it was a tragic accident. Imagine how painful it must be for his family to have people still saying that he killed himself over an acting roll. So lets just move on, shall we?
Oh and just back to the topic of TDK, I also hear rumors that The Riddler may also be an upcoming villain base on the character in this film called Mr Reese (mysteries) who found out that Wayne enterprises was helping Batman.
Anyway that’s my two cents.
Comment by kelly from Canada — July 29, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
This was such a great movie, this stands out among such classic like The Godfather, Shawshank Redemption and Scarface.
But i personally found the success of this movie to be something more than just one good script or actor it was multiple reasons like the amazing action, acting( Heath Ledger who was absolutely the best performance in my lifetime so far, no matter that Im Aussie as well ), dialogue and directing.
I hope this movie is the best batman movie made for a while to come. My serious thanks to everyone who made a contribution to this film
Comment by Percy from Sydney — July 30, 2008 @ 12:30 am
“The saddest element of Ledger’s untimely death isn’t the fact that he’s not around now to enjoy the universal praise his eerie work as the Joker is receiving. Nor is it the fact that he won’t be around for the inevitable big money payday once the next installment comes calling. No, what’s most disturbing about Ledger’s passing is that, with this undeniably diabolic characterization, we realize just how much talent we as film fans will be missing out on.”
The man had family, friends, and a child. Whoever wrote this needs to think a bit harder before spouting similar bullshit in future articles. If you want to praise the guy as an actor, find a way to do so which does not inadvertently reduce the him from a father, friend, lover, son, etc. to a ‘lost talent’.
Comment by ... — July 30, 2008 @ 12:39 am
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Well I have ruffled a few feathers haven’t I !!!
Sorry guys, but there are a few bloggers who agree with my opinion also.
Ledgers drug habits were also noted in this report two years ago-
http://tinyurl.com/6a376q
His apology was very dubious !?!
So unless you all do a little more research, please do not TELL ME that his O/D was accidental.
Comment by averill from Perth — July 30, 2008 @ 1:49 am
To those who think this movie has “conservative” philosophical overtones - I couldn’t disagree more. The movie plays two ubermen against one another. Classic existentialist, “what you do defines you” philosophy. This was present in “Batman Begins” when Rachael criticizes Bruce for not realizing that what are important are his actions, not his beliefs. TDK declares that there is no good or evil, no truth, only choice… and those that recognize this in the film are Nietzsche’s ubermen (Batman and Joker). TDK declares that all others who believe in the mythical idea of Truth (right and wrong), are simply followers that do not know any better. That is the liberal relativism that is pervasive in the most progessive of modern philosophy.
Comment by Nietzsche from Berlin — July 30, 2008 @ 7:12 am
Averill , I am sure there must be a lot of jerks who think like you .
But whether you like it or not , Ledger´s performance is awesome
Even if he had drug problems (I do not beleive it), this performance is amazing
So , we don´t care if you think that so..
Go and comment on other blogs with people who share your limited opinion
Comment by Manuel from Argentina — July 30, 2008 @ 8:26 am
Manuel and others with the same comments - Ledgers performance is a matter of “OPINION” you have yours and I, and others, have ours.
However - Ledger went to school at Guildford Grammer
in Guildford, as did my sons. So I certainly have a little more knowledge of his character, while he was
at school, anyway. The reasons he left school early, are not all that they are made out to be, by the press reports.
Comment by averill from Perth — July 30, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Oh yes , I can imagine…
What could it be?
he had drug or alcohol problems?
just like many young guys around the world ..
Of course everybody has a different opinion about his performance as the joker , but you are talking about Heath as person , so I just ask you to be respectful , is not against you…
Fame can be hard for many people , especially to young ones
And if you really know why he left school earl please share it with us , do not let people think weird stuff—please
Comment by Manuel from Argentina — July 30, 2008 @ 11:18 am
Heath Ledger’s Joker is my favorite acting performance EVER. I don’t think the Oscars are that important—they’ve become pretty predictable, actually. But they would establish some credibility if they would recognize Heath’s wonderful performance.
That said, it doesn’t really matter. If you don’t get why the Joker ruled, your loss.
Comment by Joker Fanatic 'Til Die — July 30, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
I have been a batman fan for a long time. It is sad if people consider The Dark Knight good entertainment.
Comment by R.G. Gruber from Greenville, OH 45331 — August 5, 2008 @ 10:21 am
I am not much of a Batman fan but I LOVED this film! I must say that Heath Ledger did a wonderful performance, he deserves an Oscar for this film.
Comment by Fairings — August 27, 2008 @ 6:25 am
— PopMatters sponsor —
Glad to see I am not alone R.G.Gruber !!
It was an OK film, and performance, but I still say no Oscar material.
Comment by averill from Perth WA Au — September 24, 2008 @ 8:01 pm