The Dark Knight - Revisited

[Trekker4747]

I've watched TDK a couple times over the last couple of days since its release Tuesday and I sit here, again, stunningly impressed how great of a movie it is. I'm not the hugest Batman fan, so I think that should mean something and it just not being hyperbole.

I mean, really, it's just well directed, well acted, well paced, well scored, and just a reall very good movie. And, of course, Heath Ledger's Joker is just endlessly watchable. Engaging, just engaging.

As I've said before my only problem is with Bale's "Batman voice" the intensity with it might be called for like when he's holding the mob guy off the fire-escape or in times when he's in more intense moments but when he's just talking to people it's just odd and distracting. It's too intense.

But over all, I think it's a great, great, movie and certainly deserves the directing, film, and acting nods it's likely to get.

And Maggie Gyllenhaal is so much better than Katie Holmes, endlessly better. Not only a woman who's a better fit for Bale's Bruce but I find her quite fetching too (though I admit with some lighting/expressions she can have a bit harsh of a face.)

 

[T'Baio]

I have no problem with Bale's Batman voice at all.

You see, he doesn't want people to know who he is.

 

[Trekker4747]

I have no problem with Bale's Batman voice at all.

You see, he doesn't want people to know who he is.

He could lower his voice, not make it an overly intense growl.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

The only part where the voice bothered me (read: "made me laugh") was:

"THIS CITY HAS JUST SHOWN YOU THAT IT'S FULL OF PEOPLE ... READY TO BELIEVE ... IN GOOOOOOOD!"

 

[KDoug]

I thought it was weird that he would go so far as to do the Batman voice even when he's grunting in surprise or pain. Other than that, I didn't mind it too much.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

I still have a problem with how the cops at the station disappear after the bomb goes off, leaving the Joker and friends to steal cop cars.

Too much goes right for the Joker...it's like he's in a movie and knows it.

Also, Fox's line to the would-be-blackmailer "you think Bruce Wayne is a vigilante who beats up criminals..." was dumb. "You think Wayne enterprises is funding a costumed vigilante who beats up criminals and you want to blackmail us?" would've been better...more vague, but that's not as outright "funny" and doesn't mesh as well with the "3:10 To Yuma" remake rip-off bit with the Joker convincing locals to try and kill a stranger.

Gordon is the only competent cop in the whole movie, gives you an idea of why Gotham will always need Batman. During the chase, the cops almost lie down and fucking die.

A bit too much expository dialouge...because, we, the audience, are stuuupid. Joker has to say he's an agent of chaos (even though Alfred fucking alluded to that earlier, and Joker had, too). Batman has to repeat Dent's "live long enough to see yourself become the villain" line. Damn, you'd think it was a comic book.

I don't think it deserves a directing nod. Of the 3 Nolan films I've seen, it's the most off.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

The only part where the voice bothered me (read: "made me laugh") was:

"THIS CITY HAS JUST SHOWN YOU THAT IT'S FULL OF PEOPLE ... READY TO BELIEVE ... IN GOOOOOOOD!"

haha i know exactly what you mean, his face also gets this weird look and he does something weird with his mouth.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

I liked Maggie much better than Holmes, but it was hard for me to think of them as the same character, their line deliveries were just so different. I thought her "I do love you and I will marry you!" right before she goes ka-bloey were actually pretty emotional.

 

[T'Baio]

The only part where the voice bothered me (read: "made me laugh") was:

"THIS CITY HAS JUST SHOWN YOU THAT IT'S FULL OF PEOPLE ... READY TO BELIEVE ... IN GOOOOOOOD!"

haha i know exactly what you mean, his face also gets this weird look and he does something weird with his mouth.

The problem was in the cowl, and it was most evident there...which was pretty funny.

The problem is that the cowl isn't open underneath the nose. It actually goes underneath the nose with two nostril holes and it is kind of held in place like that. Problem is, when you speak, your nose moves a bit where it's connected to your upper lip. But since the cowl is obviously rigid, hard plastic...or whatever...and perfectly form fitted, it actually ends up pulling up Bale's upper lip at times, and he looks kind of piggish and makes him speak a little funnier. I don't even think he can put his lips together at times, depending on the position of his head.

 

[Trekker4747]

The only part where the voice bothered me (read: "made me laugh") was:

"THIS CITY HAS JUST SHOWN YOU THAT IT'S FULL OF PEOPLE ... READY TO BELIEVE ... IN GOOOOOOOD!"

haha i know exactly what you mean, his face also gets this weird look and he does something weird with his mouth.

The problem was in the cowl, and it was most evident there...which was pretty funny.

The problem is that the cowl isn't open underneath the nose. It actually goes underneath the nose with two nostril holes and it is kind of held in place like that. Problem is, when you speak, your nose moves a bit where it's connected to your upper lip. But since the cowl is obviously rigid, hard plastic...or whatever...and perfectly form fitted, it actually ends up pulling up Bale's upper lip at times, and he looks kind of piggish and makes him speak a little funnier. I don't even think he can put his lips together at times, depending on the position of his head.

In the next movie:

Lucius, I need you to make me a new suit.
What is it this time, Mr. Wayne?
I'd like to be able to move my upper lip and nose.

 

[suarezguy]

With pacing, I felt that some of Bruce's feelings felt rushed, told rather than shown, and I also disliked that the Joker started out as not-too-unordinary (first one bank robber, just a little luckier and more devious than the rest, and then a guy hired by mobsters) and then they went a bit too far in the other direction of his not really having plans or motivation.
Plus, its a bit of a betrayal of BB's ending to take place a year later but having Batman never having met the Joker before, that's like trying to have it both ways/ignore BB's ending.

 

[Trekker4747]

With pacing, I felt that some of Bruce's feelings felt rushed, told rather than shown, and I also disliked that the Joker started out as not-too-unordinary (first one bank robber, just a little luckier and more devious than the rest, and then a guy hired by mobsters) and then they went a bit too far in the other direction of his not really having plans or motivation.
Plus, its a bit of a betrayal of BB's ending to take place a year later but having Batman never having met the Joker before, that's like trying to have it both ways/ignore BB's ending.

Didn't seem they really ignored it. There was "passing mention" of "him again" when Batman met Gordon in the bank vault. The impression was made that The Joker was continually slipping through Bats' and Gordon's fingers and that, frankly, they were dealing with bigger issues. This movie seemed to present the time when The Joker hit the "big time."

 

[cynical dreamer]

My problem with Bale's "Batman voice" is that they had him use it even when he was talking to people who knew his secret identity (ie: Rachel, Lucius).

Other than that one nit pick it's a fine film.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

how did the Joker get to put an Obit in a crime scene of someone who wasn't dead yet?

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

That is one thing that bugged me. Especially when it was someone as high profile as the mayor. No self respecting newspaper would actually run that as it is obviously not true.

 

[Trekker4747]

He made a mock-up of an obit on his computer?

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I paused it. It didn't look like a mock up

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I keep thinking whenever Bats rides that cycle, it seems like if he slows down, his fluttering cape will get caught in the back wheel.

 

[JacksonArcher]

I keep thinking whenever Bats rides that cycle, it seems like if he slows down, his fluttering cape will get caught in the back wheel.

In Jonathan Nolan's script, the Bat-cape retracts into this little backpack on Batman's back, and that was originally the intention, but Chris Nolan wanted the iconic visual of Batman's flowing cape while riding the Bat-pod, and I completely agree. Yes, it might not be the most realistic notion, but sometimes you need to forgo reality for something that just looks damned cool.

Besides, it would have looked a bit stupid and not nearly as cool looking in my opinion if Batman's cape retracted. I think it would have been one of those eye-rolling, cringe-inducing moments if you ask me. So I'm really glad Nolan discarded it.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

The only part where the voice bothered me (read: "made me laugh") was:

"THIS CITY HAS JUST SHOWN YOU THAT IT'S FULL OF PEOPLE ... READY TO BELIEVE ... IN GOOOOOOOD!"

haha i know exactly what you mean, his face also gets this weird look and he does something weird with his mouth.

The problem was in the cowl, and it was most evident there...which was pretty funny.

That and the line itself is kind of clunky. Even with no cowl or voice effect, it would have thudded a bit.

But with those things, it's hilarious.