The Rich Geek

My girlfriend Jen and I went to see the Dark Knight yesterday (Friday the 18th) and right off the bat let me say it was really awesome. At the same time let me say any younger batman fans out there may want to wait a few years before viewing it. While extremely well done the movie was quite dark and (in my opinion) highly inappropriate for younger children.

I know everyone wants to know how was the Joker? Well Heath Ledger did an amazing job. His portrayal blew me away, and thats saying something given the joker is one of my favorite villains of all time. Ledger has created what I consider THE iconic version of the joker. Ledgers joker hearkens back to the twisted mass murdering psychopath the joker was when he first appeared in Batman #1 way back in the 1940’s (thats old school comic love baby). At the same time he manages to combine bits (the best bits) of the joker as he evolved through the years and create something new. No maybe new isn’t the right word. Ledger has managed to portray a pure realistic portrayal of the jokers core essence. In a way with the intensity and depth of his performance I would say Ledger didn’t play the joker, he BECAME the joker. Everyone always of course will compare Ledgers joker with Jack Nicholson’s portrayal. If I were to do that I would say I love them both but Jack was much more the over the top and flamboyant joker of the comics. I also would say when you watch Jack play the joker you can’t help but see Jack playing the Joker. When you watch Heath Ledger play the joker, you see the joker.

Now as much as I loved the joker and Heath deserves all the props I can give there was more to the movie. Harvey Dent was brilliantly played by Aaron Eckhart and of course Christian Bale again completely embodied Batman. Bale gave true emotion and depth to his role as Bruce/Batman and brought across the conflicted nature of his life in a way that no one else has managed to do. I have to say I feel really bad for Bale in a way. If Heath Ledger hadn’t died he and Heath would have probably been promoting the movie together and shared the spotlight even with ledgers brilliant performance. But with his death it leaves Bale somewhat forgotten by both the media and the public in general.

Now before I go any further I want to say I’m going to put the rest of my review under the cut so I don’t’ spoil anything for those of you who haven’t seen the movie.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

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