The Dark Knight

Published 2011-07-22

Film info

Title The Dark Knight
Director Christopher Nolan
Year 2008
Run time 2hr 32m
Genres Crime, Drama, Thriller, Action
Tagline Why so serious?
Cast Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman

It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act. But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane.

Live Blog

Time	Comment
1:38	People go on rooftops a lot in films. I don't think I've ever been on a roof.
3:35	Hey, it's William Fichtner again!
5:43	"Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stranger." What a difference a letter makes.
8:33	Batman doesn't shoot a machine gun, surely?
10:39	He was a bad guy last time, why is he a good guy now?
12:31	Nice basement - bunker watch.
13:53	Ugh, bring back Joey.
19:22	Wearing a Batman suit is a good excuse for bad parking, I say.
23:42	You don't see David Blaine doing tricks like that.
26:35	Batman doesn't have time to read instruction manuals.
34:23	Really, this movie is Batman Goes Global.
40:38	500 criminals all in the same room? That doesn't seem like a recipe for disaster at all.
42:56	They wouldn't show that on TV. Lies.
52:24	Is it wrong that his purple suit makes me think of Willy Wonka?
58:29	$10 million a year seems like a high figure to start your bargaining with.
59:14	Batman looks quite a lot like the mayor, who in turn is Richard Alpert from LOST. Confusing.
1:08:18	It's no wonder Bale lost his voice a lot filming these. How do you even talk like that?
1:12:21	Am I missing something, or do they all call him THE Batman.
1:19:23	A batmobike. Actually, that doesn't work.
1:20:44	You can't corner on a massive wide wheel like that.
1:23:31	Woohoo, there is still a chance of a red telephone.
1:30:57	It sounds like the world's biggest trap to me.
1:33:32	His makeup must be pretty epic, he keeps licking his lips and it doesn't come off.
1:42:29	He slid down a pile of money, like DuckTales!
1:49:32	That Lambo is quite ugly. Although compared to the Batmobile...
1:50:50	How do they make his face look like that?
1:53:27	Jeez louise, Harvey Dent is always missing.
1:55:26	Can you survive with only half a face?
1:57:09	Mr C wants a wall of screens like that.
2:02:43	That's quite the social experiment. We just went with Big Brother.
2:07:10	The sonar stuff is making me dizzy.
2:09:44	I sense a "no dogs were harmed" message coming. I haven't seen one of those for ages.
2:14:14	"Maybe you an I are destined to do this forever." Aww, sadly not.
2:24:46	That was an abrupt ending.

Thoughts

We watched the first of the Batman reboot franchise and I was keen to move on and see the Joker in action. Christopher Nolan does like his long films, and although I have just about come to terms with a two hour film, he's really pushing it.

Not as good as the first one. Far, far too long, and really, could have been two films. Why couldn't they stop after that first epic car chase, where they tricked the Joker and got him imprisoned, and leave it hanging for a whole other part two to do with Two-Face?

I liked the story, although there was so much to it, at times I got confused. When the guy from the beginning showed up towards the end, I'd forgotten who he was. The Joker was excellent, deliciously creepy, but I think the many posthumous awards were given because of the poignancy of the role.

I liked it, but really felt a bit disappointed.

Rating: 3 / 5