Dark Knight, The (12/9/2008)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace.

Directed by Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins, The Prestige and Memento)

Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, and Maggie Gyllenhaal

Todd’s Word: FANTASTIC!!!

Jonathan’s Word: Wow… Nicholson’s Joker just got trumped!

Todd’s Word: The Dark Knight is the follow-up to blockbuster Batman Begins.

Jonathan’s Word: … which… until July 18, 2008… was the best Batman film so far.

Todd’s Word: I agree.

This time with the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to completely rid organized crime in Gotham for good. Although the three men are very different, they share a common vision for Gotham – crime free. And while they prove it is an attainable goal, they soon find themselves the targets of the Joker, a violently insane, criminal mastermind who is happy to thrust Gotham into anarchy “just to see it burn.” The Joker and the Dark Knight face off in an epic battle of good verses evil.

Jonathan’s Word: And Todd, as much as this film offered, the highlight was Ledger’s Joker. And please don’t in anyway misinterpret my words as to belittle the other talent in this film. Bale, Freeman and Caine were still excellent. But Ledger… Wow. That Oscar buzz really isn’t a bunch of hype. Ledger wasn’t just entertaining… he was amazing.

Todd’s Word: I could not agree more. As a fan of Batman, I was so blown away by Ledger’s performance as the Joker. Without question the Joker is one of the most horrifying, violent, insane serial killers ever created. But over the years and because of campy performances from Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson, that character has been lost. Nolan and Ledger bring it back stronger than ever and give us the greatest Joker of all time.

Jonathan’s Word: That’s a good word Todd. Because Ledger’s Joker was scary. Yes, he was funny. Yes, he was entertaining. But ask any 10 year old, Ledger’s insanity was downright frightening.

Todd’s Word: He really was funny, at some very wrong moments and then I felt guilty laughing.

Jonathan’s Word: Todd, you bring up an interesting side note: I don’t think this film is for young kids at all. I was surprised at the amount of young kids in the theatre I attended. The kid next to me kept burying his face in his mother’s lap.

I confess, I brought my youngest girl (a middle schooler). She was a little frightened at times. I almost questioned my logic bringing her. I can’t believe that people brought 5 and 7 year olds. I would really encourage parents to watch this first before showing it to their kids.

Todd’s Word: I agree. It wasn’t a kids’ film.

Let’s talk about the rest of the cast for a minute. The Dark Knight features more than its share of impressive performances from some of Hollywood’s biggest names. There is Morgan Freeman (who really is great in everything) as Lucius Fox, the weapons specialist who is concerned with Bruce Wayne’s growing need for power and Michael Caine as Alfred, who continues to be Bruce’s stability and unwavering support system. Gary Oldman once again plays Commissioner Gordon perfectly and Aaron Eckhart is flat out awesome as Harvey Dent. Newcomer to the film, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, didn’t make me miss Katie Holmes at all.

Jonathan’s Word: Whoa… I can’t agree with you there. Sorry… I preferred Katie Holmes BIG TIME. Katie played the “innocent” Rachel. Maggie was a little too trampy for me. Yes, the script called for a little of it. But Maggie emphasizes that a tad too much. That’s just how Maggie rolls. (Readers… don’t get me wrong… Maggie wasn’t taking off her clothes. The film was completely clean. Maggie just doesn’t come across as sweet and innocent as we knew Rachel to be.)
I would have preferred Holmes’ innocence (discounting the fact that she’s with Hollywood wacko, Cruise).

Todd’s Word: Don’t talk about Tom that way.

At the risk of repeating ourselves we need to say that Christian Bale is yet again the perfect Bruce Wayne/Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker could not have been better.

Jonathan’s Word: Encore!

But I have to be honest; it was a little difficult to forget Ledger’s death, such a tragedy. It was sad knowing that he won’t be around to collect any awards. He earned them.

Todd’s Word: We agree again.

I loved everything about this movie: the story, the cast, the direction, the action…EVERYTING!! We are so far passed the campy 70’s Batman (complete with shark repellent) and the terrible Batman films of the 90’s. Without a doubt, Christopher Nolan delivers Batman done right and once again offers us an amazing superhero movie.

Jonathan’s Word: I agree about 90 percent. I did like Burton’s Batman with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. My guess is… if we went back in time and I asked you what you thought of that film on opening night, you would have loved it! Am I right?

Todd’s Word: Yeah but I also loved the Adam West Batman as a kid and that certainly doesn’t make it good.

Jonathan’s Word: I’m sure you loved Barney as a kid too. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I was 19 years old when Burton’s Batman came out. In my “young adult” mind at the time, I thought the film was amazing. I would have given it a “Worth Buying” score back then. Let me guess… you own it… right?

Todd’s Word: (pause) umm….Guilty

Jonathan’s Word: Booyah! I rest my case!

Todd’s Word: Nice. But honestly, as much as I did like 1989’s Batman, I hated that they killed off the Joker…how can you do that?

Jonathan’s Word: Thank you for finally providing a good argument! That is a good criticism of the original Burton film.

Todd’s Word: Happy to please!

Jonathan’s Word: And don’t forget, I only liked the first of the Batman films that began in ‘89. The others were garbage. Furthermore, I absolutely agree with you that Nolan’s Batman Begins outdid them all. And now, I think I’d have to say that The Dark Knight… especially thanks to Ledger… is even better.

Todd’s Word: As for this Batman storyline… Nolan hits another one out of the park. It is a complex and intelligent story that has plenty of heart and human emotion as well. Considering Nolan uses very little CGI, the action sequences are just mind-blowing. From a tractor-trailer flipping end over end to an entire hospital blowing up, the action is wild all the way through.

SPOILER WARNING: Honestly my only disappointment is knowing we will not be seeing more of Two-Face.

Without any hesitation, The Dark Knight is Worth Buying and one of the best films of the year, period.

Jonathan’s Word: I can’t argue with that.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
I think we already detailed our concerns above. We can’t say that The Dark Knight is family friendly, but it is relatively clean. There are plenty of violent scenes and intense action sequences that will be too much for kids under 12.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

1. What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
2. How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
3. How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?