Jul 20, 2008

The Dark Knight

Just a few thoughts on The Dark Knight while I’m sucking down my Spanish Latte here at Urth Cafe on Melrose, waiting for them to kick me out because it’s Sunday and this place is crowded and thy HATE it when people sit at their tables for too long. But whatevs. Here we go:

The Good:

  • Yes, the Joker is everything you want him to be. Psychotic, psychotic, psychotic. I kept wanting more of a backstory on the Joker; maybe go into why he’s the Joker, what dark secrets and childhood traumas made him the Joker. But then I remember he’s simply psychotic and there doesn’t need to be any reason(s). 
     
  • By far the most beautiful shot of the movie was towards the end when the Joker was sticking his head out of the police car, greasy hair blowing in the wind, while driving down La Salle street in Chicago (woops, Gotham!). Such a classic visual and one they’re gonna play in the reels 50 years from now. 
     
  • That eerie buzzing sound that played in the background during the tense moments. What was that? It was so cool! I’ve been trying to think where Nolan stole that from (because it’s simply too good to come from any mortal’s brain) and the only thing I can think of is The Shining. That’s the sound Kubrick used in the shining, right? 
     
  • Batman lives in a condo and it appears that he shops at Design Within Reach. Cool. Batman’s sparse lab, also cool. 

  • The soot black explosion smoke at the very beginning, and then the ariel shot into the skyscraper AND THEN THE EERIE MUSIC. I almost wet myself.
     
  • The Bat Symbol -  Loved how you couldn’t really tell it was the bat symbol. It just kinda blurry and indistinguishable, like it would be in real life, not like in the 60’s Batman show. 

The Bad:

  • Way too long. Should have shaved at least 30mins off the thing. If you’re thinking a movie’s going to end, it should probably end. This isn’t life after all, it’s a freaking movie. 
     
  • Maggie Gyllenhaal. Didn’t like this choice. Not too keen on her as an actor, and usually I can just look past the can’t-act thing if they’re good-looking (and she’s mildly attractive at best). But I couldn’t. Alternate casting choice: STEAL KIRSTEN DUNST FROM SPIDERMAN! 
     
  • Batman’s motorcycle. A little silly. Especially when he kinda rode it up the wall. Whatever. 
     
  • Harvey Dent’s Face - Way too disgusting. Usually this isn’t a problem if they don’t focus on things like this too much, but Nolan looked like he wanted to gross everybody out with those close-up shots. 
     
  • Did I mention the movie was too long?