245. The Dark Knight; movie review

THE DARK KNIGHT
Cert 12
152 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong fantasy violence and sustained threat

Gosh, I remember the huge acclaim which greeted the Dark Knight back in 2008 and the reverence over Heath Ledger's performance.
Does it pass the test of time?
Since then, the bar has risen consistently in terms of special effects so scenes such as the blowing up of Gotham General look a bit clunky.
And even Ledger's contribution has recently been trumped by that of Joaquin Phoenix.
However, The Dark Knight is a much better movie than Joker and infinitely superior to the Batman films starring Ben Affleck.
Christian Bale's Caped Crusader is arguably the best of all and he is on top of his game here - complex and broody and a far cry from the zowie-pow superhero of Adam West.
Gotham City became truly dark in the hands of Christopher Nolan with death and destruction facing its harrowed citizens.
Ledger's incarnation of the Joker is dementedly aggressive and he and Bale are supported by a cast who are on top of their game.
Aaron Eckhart gives a dazzling portrayal as Gotham's chief lawman Harvey Dent while Gary Oldman is edgy but determined as Commissioner Gordon.
It says a lot that Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine make up the second rung.
Ledger's Joker is all the more brilliant because there is nothing that crimefighting, Dent, Gordon and Batman can do to either prick his conscience or scare him.
They have no trading hand because he causes mayhem simply for the hell of it.
Ledger reflects this madness with great artistry and incredible maturity for a man in his 20s.
Meanwhile, Bale's Batman is teeming with self-doubt as Gotham burns thanks to The Joker's precarious deal with the city's crimelords.
And the fight gets personal as family, friends and lovers are caught in the crossfire.
The Dark Knight set the bar for future DC films. Unfortunately, others have tried but failed to match its intensity.

Reasons to watch: Heath Ledger
Reasons to avoid: It is far too long

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? In late 2008, after the film had opened to rapturous critical acclaim and enormous box office success, Huseyin Kalkan—the mayor of Batman, Turkey—sued Nolan and Warner Brothers for what he deemed a negative impact the film had caused on his city.

The final word. Christian Bale: "Heath was infectious; his death makes me angry because I know our friendship would have blossomed had he not died. He's done a real defining characterisation of the Joker that both audiences and the industry will no doubt praise and then acknowledge in time." GQ

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