So after all the hype, I went to see the latest Chris Nolan Batman installment last night. Given the reviews by both critics and friends and DK’s record breaking box office returns I was set to be wow-ed.
I wasn’t.
I was disturbed. I feel like I wasted $8.50
First off, let me say that from the directing to the acting to the DP to the sound editors, the film was well executed. I really appreciated that what CGI there was was minimal and not ostentatious. The buzz is that Ledger will be nominated for an Oscar. Does he deserve it? eh… if Ledger gets a nod, then Nicholson should have. Nicholson’s portrayal will always be
the defining Joker for me. Michael Cain – perfect. Gary Oldman – spot on! Christian Bale – totally buy him as Batman. I would rank the Batmen in the following order from best to worst:
1. Christian Bale
2. Val Kilmer
3. Michael Keaton
4. Adam West
5. Kevin Conroy (Batman’s voice from the animated series)
6. George (ugh) Clooney
So why didn’t I lurv DK? Here are a smattering of reasons:
1.
Maggie Gyllenhaal – sorry – she ruins the ‘Rachel’ character. Gyllenhaal always seems to play the same arrogant, aloof, self-righteous character. She was perfect in Stranger than Fiction – I’ll give her that, but during DK I thought, “I really could care less what happens to her character.” So, when a twist came, I was surprised but not dismayed.
2.
The Joker’s backstory – non existent. The guy has zero DNA, dental or fingerprint matches. OK – the comics never gave him a ‘definitive’ name or complete backstory (the most widely accepted being the chemical waste disfigurement and insanity). But I’ll take these multiple “chemical waste” back stories above the ‘My dad killed my mom in front of me and then turned the knife on me’ story.
3.
Batman’s dilemma(s) – Batman is no Superman to be sure. He never has been. Batman is a vigilante semi-sanctioned by Gotham’s Comissioner Gordon. His dilemmas in DK include: To prevent the SWAT team from killing innocents disguised as villains, he has to stop them – through any means necessary. So Batman beats the tar out of quite a few of them. And while Batman takes the blame for some Police who die (though not at his hand), as the audience we never really know if there were any police who died as a result of being pummeled by Batman.
Another - If Batman reveals his true identity, the Joker will stop the killings. Alfred essentially tells him to buck up and that he shouldn’t give in to the demands of the Joker – but that in this process (of bringing Joker to justice) some people may have to die. Should Bruce give in to the Joker? No. But
the way this dialogue is delivered leads me to…
4.
Body Count – Police die willy nilly. Innocent motorists too. The audience’s reaction… reminded me of reactions at Fourth of July fireworks, as well as chuckles over creative car crashes.
Above and beyond that – the Joker’s total lack of respect for human life is nauseating. Maybe it’s just that as I’m getting older human life has become much more valuable in my eyes. I know that sounds altruistic – but I really hope it’s the case. Perhaps it’s the tortuous ways that the Joker dispenses with his victims. He doesn’t just kill them… he relishes their final moments.
I sure hope we don’t see copycats of these in the paper anytime soon.
In the days of my youth, and to my regret, I watched my share of ‘slasher flicks’… Nightmare on Elm Street(s), Friday the 13th(s), Children of the Corn, etc. etc. To be sure, DK is NOT a ‘slasher flick’, but I had the same gut reaction to it as I did to them. That same reaction I had to Tom Cruise’s ‘War of the Worlds.’ That stomach churning, “why-did-I-pay-to-see-this?” feeling.
We don’t ‘see’ the torture, but we are led ‘right up to the door’ so to speak only to cut away (no pun intended) at the last moment. That the Joker’s weapons of choice are knives takes me back to Freddy.
There were literally moments I had to turn away from the screen because of the implied severity of the scene, and because even though t was PG-13 I didn’t have confidence that the film wouldn’t stay with the action.
I am so glad I didn’t buy popcorn. And at one point I said to myself, “if ‘x’ happens I’m leaving. Thank God it didn’t, but with this Joker I was expecting it would.
A friend summarized it best: with few exceptions, “evil seemed to be on screen for nearly every scene.”
"Well, I grew up where they showed you the body count,
In color on your dinner T.V.
And I've been numbed so insensitive,
that all I can think about is you and me."
~ from Accidentally 4th St. (Gloria) by Figures on a Beach (1989)5.
Harvey Dent (aka Two Face) – the FX for his face were grotesque. Beyond Freddy Krueger gross.
And his ‘turn to the dark side’ was almost as fast and head-scratchingly implausible as Anakin Skywalker's in Revenge of the Sith. I get that losing the love of your life could induce rage of epic proportions. But to then be swayed by your loved one’s killer into joining him? Not buying it.
DK did have some saving graces.
- I saw a fleeting, and I mean “blink-your-eye-and-you-missed-it” fleeting moment of Jesus. Batman accepts the blame, shame and reproach of the sins of another. He bears them.
- The ferry scene. Not to give it away, but there is the best of humanity displayed in what appears to be the worst of men. “Let me do what you should have done 10 minutes ago.” For me, this scene was the best part of the movie. Period. And the guy who uttered that line – HE is the hero of the film. He’s powerless and displays Biblical meekness: amazing power under perfect control - that and amazing self-sacrifice.
So… Mr. Nolan, I appreciate your film making abilities, but I won’t be returning to the theatre for a 2nd go. I won’t be adding Dark Knight to my DVD collection. I know some people will think I’m overreacting to sections (better said – “swathes”) of the movie. That’s OK. I’m not all for being a conformist anyhow. I’m the same guy who considered WALL-E, Indiana Jones & the Crystall Skull and Hancock wastes too.
Maybe I’ve been watching too much ‘Little House’ with the family. I may have to pull Bille August’s “Les Miserables” off the shelf tonight. I need a cinematic shower.
