The Dark Knight exceeds all other criminal movies without a doubt, bringing both originality and suspense to the screen. Taking place a mere year after being introduced to Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego, Batman, Gotham is at his feet once again begging for his help. As the rise of the twisted criminal mastermind, known only as the Joker, thrusts the nation into anarchy Batman is forced to face his most personal and gruesome task yet.
Along with creating a brilliant plotline and well executed cinematography, director Christopher Nolan could not have done a better job casting wise. Christian Bale (playing Batman) and Heath Ledger (playing the Joker) mastered their characters perfectly without a hint of flaw. Bale’s permanently straight, serious, posture suggests his high level of class and sophistication and seems to bore right into your soul. Though unknown to characters within the movie, the relation between Batman and Bruce Wayne is clear when examining their mannerisms. Bale plays both with a rough, firm facial demeanour that can’t be replaced by anyone. In addition to adding a mysterious aroma to Bruce Wayne’s character, Bale performed an impressive amount of Batman’s stunts on his own.
Supporting role actor Heath Ledger had to compete with renowned actors such as Robin Williams and Steve Carell for the park of Joker, yet Ledger’s chaotic interpretation of the role won Nolan over. Ledger’s dedication and devotion to the film is evident in each scene he plays, in each lick of the lips and brush of the hair. However, transforming into a mass murdering, terror causing citizen, does not happen overnight. In preparation for the film, Ledger locked himself in a hotel room, utterly alone and isolated from civilization. In a month’s duration, through documenting the Joker’s thoughts and feelings in a diary, Ledger managed to master a whole new persona.
In truth, the issues represented in this film create a somewhat paradoxical effect. Trouble arises when criminals deny the law and take matters into their own hands, believing they can be excused from the law. These murderous criminals are the enemies, our foes. But what really makes them so different from Batman himself? Though we see him as a protector, he rebels against the government at the same extent as they do, sentencing individuals to their death without a fair trial. Batman damages, destroys, and annihilates the city, all while refusing to reveal his identity. Other than the amount in which they’ve killed, there is no real difference between Joker and Batman, our enemy and our protector. This proves there is no black and white to good and evil, simply a greyscale of neutral. Nothing bad is ever all wicked, and every good has a tint of mischief. The Joker displays moments of consideration when he refuses to kill Batman, and Batman breaks his “one rule” by killing Harvey Dent.
Though the Joker and Batman achieve similar acts, the methods in which they execute them vary drastically. One aspect that aids in differentiating the two is the use of makeup and costume. Both fall under the stereotypical look given to them, Batman sporting his signature cape and mask and the Joker with a dyed green wig and red lips. Giving them the look we anticipate allows the audience to apply any previous background information to help locate the character and understand their behaviour. This also may bring a form of nostalgia to those who grew up with the infamous Batman series comic books. In these stereotypes, Batman wraps himself in monochromatic attire consisting of simply the colour black as a method to blend into the knight and intimidate criminals. Joker on the other hand, relies on bright colours such as green, purple, and yellow, to mark his presence and prove his daring and fearless personality. Their contrasting methods strengthens the idea that Batman acts only when needed and prefers to remain unnoticed, whereas the Joker goes out of his way be seen, make noise, and create chaos.
Christopher Nolan has changed the face of Batman forever, it is no longer merely a comic book, yet a story brought to life. It no longer involves two-dimensional characters, yet real life villains that can be traced back to society. It displays the capacities of the human mind, and darkness of the human heart. It illustrates the destruction our world will succumb to if individuals worldwide lack empathy and compassion for one another. A success in every manner, The Dark Knight will not disappoint.
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