6
(characters pray and then act selflessly)
6
(some violence with gruesome images and morbid humor)
8
(it doesn't get much better than this)
Growing up as a fan of Batman stories I was awed by Tim Burton’s darkly gothic visual presentation. I couldn’t care less about Adam West’s Batman, but Michael Keaton’s – I was all about it. I was also a big fan of Jack Nicholson’s Joker. He’s gotten a lot of criticism for the role lately, and I think those people are nuts. He was psychotically amused by chaos and pain utilizing deadly joy buzzers and other lethal pranks in a way that straddled the fence of realism and comic-book-like. It was goofy yet dark. So naturally I wondered how Heath Ledger (of whom I’m not particularly a fan outside this movie) could possibly fill those shoes.
What I didn’t count on was the amazing tapestry of which Heath would be a part. Burton’s "Batman" kept a foot in the pages of comics; Nolan’s comes completely out of that and fully into the realm of the graphic novel. It’s more grown-up but not the kind of “adult” designation that means boobs and the “f-bomb” have been tossed in. This is intellectually adult in the sense of exploring complex themes and dealing with difficult outcomes.
In past movies Batman, if put in a position of being incapable of saving two people at once, would find a way to do the impossible. He would find a way to save them, and all would be dandy at the end. In Nolan’s world Batman learns what it means to fail and see people die despite his best efforts. In an unusual twist this really isn’t a Batman movie so much as it is a villains’ tale. We spend a lot of time with Joker, and even though we don’t learn anything about who he was we learn a whole lot about who he is. He’s a completely different take than Nicholson’s.
For starters we have no idea how he became the Joker (and none of this business of killing Wayne’s parents). Oh, he tells a story but is it believable? You decide for yourself. His psychosis is not too dissimilar from Nicholson. He kills someone while performing a “magic trick” for instance, but he’s more twitchy and less flashy. He would never parade down the street with a bunch of balloons, he’s going to manipulate you into inviting your death in by the front door while making you think you’ve got him by the throat. He does have a little bit of the theatrical still, but he’s far more of a behind-the-scenes mastermind and easily one of the most fearsome villains in screen history.
As much as the movie focuses on Joker it doesn’t revolve around him alone. Harvey Dent is probably more central to the story than even Bruce Wayne. Harvey is the un-caped crusader. He is becoming what Wayne seems to wish he could really be: the hero that isn’t in the shadows. In a sense Harvey is more like the classic Superman than Batman (just without the powers, of course). He’s a symbol of hope and justice behind which the people can rally. He’s not dark and mysterious like Batman, he’s not a vigilante, yet he is heroic. So how does Harvey go from hero to villain and how does it tie in to the Joker’s story? That’s something I won’t divulge. I will say that I feel like the movie's one real weakness is that there needs to be more transition between Harvey and Two-Face.
Every little thing about this movie is amazing. The acting is absolutely top notch. I really thought everyone was overrating Heath because of his tragic death. I didn’t doubt he would be adequate, but there was no way he could live up to the hype. Wrong. Heath does top Nicholson, and that’s saying a lot, at least from me.
If he were the only outstanding actor the movie would be worth the money, but Aaron Eckhart is also amazing. This is quite possibly Gary Oldman’s finest hour, and Christian Bale doesn’t let them run away with the show. My only complaint, and it’s so minor I don’t even know why I’m mentioning it, is that Bale tries too hard to give Batman his own voice (presumably to further hide the fact of his identity) and maybe should have found times, such as his conversation with Joker, to back off of it some. Kevin Conroy makes the vocal changes much more subtle in the animated series, something that I think Bale could have benefitted from.
The action sequences are stunning in design and execution. The look and feel of the city is deep and intense. The cameos of familiar faces are enjoyable and appropriate. The music, while not as distinctive as Danny Elfman’s, is fitting and stirring.
I guess what really nails this movie for me is that it’s not so much about one guy blowing stuff up while another guy tries to stop him. It’s more about a clash of ideals. It’s an extreme and fantastical presentation of such a battle, but still an intriguing one the result of which is a struggle for Batman unlike what a superhero typically faces. This isn’t a spin-the-world-around-and-everything’s-OK story, in fact, a case could be made that Batman is not super enough in his heroism, but I think part of the reason he is so popular is his lack of super powers. He has to fight this menace on a more human level, and that means some limitations on what he can do. We all have limitations. Don’t we all wish we could rise above them? Maybe we can’t save the world, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of good we can do if we have the heart to do so.
Morality
This is a dark and occasionally disturbing movie. Forget the Tommy Lee Jones version of 2 Face (nothing against Tommy who I think is an outstanding performer) with his comically purple scarring, Aaron’s villainous profile may very well turn the stomachs of some of the more sensitive viewers. While sometimes brutally violent it makes some powerful statements about the sanctity of life, but that doesn’t mean everyone lives to see the end.
There is little else that's really woth mentioning with hardly any questionable language and nothing the least bit sexual or revealing.
Spirituality
While there is nothing heavily religious or spiritual in "The Dark Knight" there is perhaps a touch more than in the typical Batman movies that have come before. Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see, but there is at least one scene that appears to me as if people are praying. One of the prayer warriors, through later actions, makes a strong statement about putting the well-being of others above ourselves as he does the right thing despite the promise of lethal consequences. I guess people of various religions may see it in the light of their own beliefs, but it feels very Christ-like to me.
In general when we're dealing with the classic superheroes we're following people who are using their extraordinary abilities to help others. It can be a good lesson in using your gifts and talents as well as in putting other people ahead of yourself. In "The Dark Knight" as much if not moreso than any other Batman movie Bats goes to a good bit of trouble and pain to preserve the lives of even the more dangerous criminals even though he may not always succeed.
Final Thoughts
I love superhero movies. I own most of what has come out since the "Superman" from the 70’s, and most of the ones I don’t own I would like to get. I count very few of them on the same level as "The Dark Knight" though some of the recent Marvel movies are not all that far behind. Not only is it worth seeing, but it’s worth multiple viewings to really soak in the full scope of it. Buy it, watch it, love it.
Buying Guide
Holy video disc, Batman! There have been so many variations and exclusive deals available for "The Dark Knight" I don't know if I can go into them all. I'll try to run through the major ones quickly so I can give you the data you're here for without boring you too terribly much.
You've got the single disc, bare-bones DVD's available in widescreen and pan-&-scan. Then you've got a 2 disc special edition DVD which will contain most of the material I list in the extras section below. There's a steelbook case variation out there as well.
Then there's the Blu-ray version (which is what I will spend the most time detailing). There's a steelbook variation of this one, too. A limited edition Blu package offers a Batpod replica (I haven't seen a DVD listing that includes this replica).
I've also seen a listing for a 2 disc special edition package with a journal of some kind and possibly a Joker card. I've only seen a DVD listing (no Blu) for it and have only seen very high after-market prices on it. Not worth that expense in my opinion. It's likely that this was a store exclusive of some kind.
If you're looking to get the other Dark Knight movies done by Nolan you have a few different options. There is an “Ultimate Collection” which appears to be the latest and greatest and is only on Blu. There is a Christopher Nolan Batman Collection which includes the first 2 Dark Knight movies. Then there the Dark Knight Trilogy which includes all 3 movies. Both of these appear to be offered on DVD and Blu. And finally, there is a Christopher Nolan Director's Collection which includes the first 2 Dark Knight movies along with some others and is only available on Blu currently.
If you want to know a few more specifics about the various releases, read on, if you just want the first-hand details of what's on the Blu then jump down to the next section (look for the image of the cover).
Other Blus:
As far as the Blus go the actual disc content appears to be exactly the same no matter what package you get it in. You simply get the disc with a Batpod or a mask replica or whatever it may be. The only exception is the Target exclusive which mentions a mysterious feature on which I could find no further info. While I don't own the Batpod or the masks because I was unwilling to part with that much cash, I have seen them close up, and they have great detail.
One steelbook variation says it's a limited edition with a look at the “The Dark Knight Reborn” documentary. The other variation is not limited and mentions nothing that is not in the regular Blu package.
DVD's
The DVD's list the following specs: video at 2.40 widescreen or 1.33 pan-&-scan. Audio at 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound. I haven't seen any DVD-specific comments on the quality, but I imagine it's solid based on how strong the Blu is.
The single disc versions don't appear to offer any extras at all. While some of the product listings do mention a few goodies they appear to be incorrect with the most obvious error being the Batpod listed as part of the package when it clearly is not.
The 2 disc Special Edition DVD contains most of the material I will list in the extras section of the Blu with a few variations. “Batman Tech,” “Batman Unmasked,” and the BD-Live features are omitted from the DVD version. It also appears that the DVD has the IMAX scenes separated out and presented individually as an extra feature on disc 2. While the scenes themselves are a part of the regular movie, the point of this feature evidently is to show off their amazingly high quality (which would take up so much space on the disc they would likely not be able to fit on disc 1 alongside the movie). The Blu doesn't have a feature like this which I assume is because these scenes are already presented in high-def quality as part of the movie.
Combo Options:
As for the various combo packages we'll start with the Dark Knight Trilogy set. The Blu version appears to contain all the extras from the standard releases. The DVD version is only 3 discs and therefore probably lacks many of the extras (though I have yet to find enough details to say for sure what is or isn't on the DVD). Your main perk for buying the set, besides saving money, is a book which is an abridged version of "The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy."
The Christopher Nolan Collection appears to include the standard Blu release in a set with 4 other movies. It includes 10 art cards and a book with info about the movies. While I haven't seen the art cards for all the movies, the Batman-related ones I've seen look really sharp.
The Ultimate Collector's Edition trilogy appears to include everything that has come before it as far as extras plus about 90 minutes worth of new material including new interviews and a documentary on the trilogy. Most interesting are the 3 Hot Wheels replicas of vehicles from the films. There are also some art cards and a hardback book. Reviews suggest that the package is interesting but probably not worth the cost if you already own the movies.
Exclusives
Here are a few details about some of the various store exclusives. There may very well be more out there than what I've been able to find, and some of these may be harder to find than others these days.
--Wal-Mart: What caught my eye was a 2 Face coin replica. I would love to have that. There is also a comic book with it. Unfortunately, as it common practice with them, Wal-Mart packages their stuff in with the regular single-disc version of the movie. Not only can you not get these goodies with the Blu, you can't even get it with the 2 disc DVD; so you either get the DVD extras or the Wally World exclusive items. They need to realize that the people buying the exclusives are typically the people who do not want the bare-bones DVD's (calling those “collector's editions” couldn't be farther from the truth of what they are). So… pass. But if you do want it you can get a widescreen version or a pan-&-scan one.
--Target: These guys have been doing really great special cases. Batman’s cowl is the case this time. I would have gone with this exclusive, but I liked the regular packaging too much. This is for the 2 disc DVD and Blu-ray versions. They both appear to include a disc with a digital copy of the movie, and the Blu mentions an exclusive feature though I could find no specifics about it.
--Best Buy: They have the most. I found out about it too late, but with a preorder you could get a free poster. I missed out. Supposedly there was going to be an exclusive Joker playing card to go along with any DVD purchase, but my Best Buy had nothing of the sort. What they did have were 2 different replicas. One is the Batman cowl and one is the mask Joker wears in the bank heist. The only catch is that they cost more than the regular movie packages. I opted to save my money, but if you’re a collector of shelf memorabilia these look like they would be nice additions. They are available for the 2 disc DVD and Blu-ray editions.
Final Recommendation:
While there are a few enticing extras (which I'll list in OCD detail below), the immense success of the movie had me expecting a bit more. I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about the lack of good features on the DVD in particular. Since they lack the educational documentaries (exclusive to the Blu) all they really offer is some behind the scenes clips and the Gotham Tonight segments. We hear almost nothing from any of the actors. We don’t get the first glimpse of the 2-Face face effects. What was the process for coming up with the new looks of these classic villains? As wildly loved as this movie has been I’m surprised we don’t get a more extensive look at it. Despite that downside this is a terrific movie to own on Blu-ray due to its IMAX sequences.
Deciding between releases is a chore. There are a few obvious decisions: if you want cheap with no extras go with the single-disc DVD. You'll get more extras if you can do Blu instead of the 2 disc DVD. The less obvious decision is all the exclusive goodies you can get here and there. Batpod replica or mask? Cowl case or standard packaging (a harder decision than it is with most packaging)? I say go for the Ultimate Collector's Edition if you're in the market for the whole trilogy.
I have the 2 Disc Special Edition Blu which is actually a 3 disc release if you get the digital copy (2 disc without it).
Video
2.40 / 1.78 at 1080p
Note the listing of 2 widescreen ratios there? What’s unusual about this film is that it swaps between the 2.40 and 1.78 ratios for the IMAX sequences. Keep in mind certain sequences were filmed in IMAX so the HD capabilities of Blu are even better served here than on a typical release. You won't be able to appreciate that on DVD as much. I use this a lot when showing off my huge widescreen TV. It easily looks as good as anything I own on any format.
Audio
5.1 Dolby HD, 5.1 Dolby, 2.0:
The HD surround sound is fantastic. It's almost hyper-realistic with an amazingly perfect mix, mind-blowing bass rumble, and incredible surround sound immersion. This is just about as perfect as anything I could hope to own for my home system (though I have to admit I thought pretty much the same thing when I swapped from VHS to DVD, and those releases are now pitiful next to this).
Packaging
Part of the reason I went with the standard Blu over options like the Batman cowl case was because of the really cool looking box art. It uses the typical plastic case in a cardboard slip cover that is popular with DVD’s these days, however unlike the vast majority of other releases the two are not identical (a concept I’ve never really understood, by the way). The slip case is Batman themed. It features a glossy image of him on the Batpod which, by itself, is a cut above the average DVD cover art. The back features the standard DVD info.
The case sleeve is Joker themed. The front is a great image of him looking all dark and menacing. The back is a reprint of the outer cover but Joker-ized. He has scribbled all over the picture defacing Batman and exalting himself, adding comments to the specs and features list, and marking out sections of the plot summary to make a mockery of it. This is an impressively creative cover particularly for a standard packaging instead of a limited edition. The newer, cheaper versions of the release omit the outer box which is not nearly as fun.
The Blu-ray interface is simple but functional. Not as flashy as the interactive comic book I got in the "Batman Begins" DVD package, but I have no complaints. The movie rather than the interface starts when the disc is inserted.
Extras
-Digital Copy: Not all of the product listings mention this, but mine came with one, and I'm pretty sure the 2-disc DVD does as well. You'll get it on an extra disc. Unlike some the code does not list an expiration date (though I can't promise that means there isn't one).
-Gotham Uncovered (Disc 1 of the Blu-ray has nearly an hour and a half worth of behind the scenes materials. These are production focused and look very little at the characters, actors, or story. They can be turned on and activated as the movie plays (with the benefit of seeing them within the context of the finished product), played individually from the menu, or played as one long presentation. There are 18 different segments - some of them brief, some extensive):
-Prologue (8:48) about filming in IMAX, music, sound, etc. This is one of the most thorough.
-The New Bat-Suit (4:47) the redesign and reasoning behind it all, also some of the gadgets.
-Joker Theme (6:18) coming up with the musical sound for the villain, including samples of early sound experiments.
-Hong Kong Jump (3:05) jumping for real and making it work for the movie.
-Judge's Car Blows Up (1:09) explosion tests.
-Challenge of the Chase in IMAX (4:04) destroying a camera, resolution problems.
-SWAT Van into River (1:44) what made it hard.
-Miniature Unit (1:35) why and how.
-Destruction of Batmobile (2:08) elements and methods, Batpod birth.
-Bat-Pod (6:06) previz shots of how it fits in the Batmobile, close ups for a good view of it, practicality, and riding it which might be interesting for all the people saying it’s impossible to ride something with wheels that big.
-Helicopter Crash (1:12) melding practical and visual effects.
-Truck Flip (4:02) no, that wasn’t CG – see the designs and tests.
-MCU Explosion (1:12) setup and concepts.
-Lamborghini Crash (1:54) stunt driving and CG usage.
-Hospital Explosion (6:43) blowing up a real building with unused angles.
-Mob Car Flip (0:39) mostly about stunt driving.
-String of Sausages Stunt (2:08) setting up a tough stunt of guys going over a high ledge.
-Upping the Ante (6:40) making the movie bigger than its predecessor.
-Batman Tech (45:59) I love educational features with movies, and this release offers 2. Formatted like a TV special it takes a look at Batman gadgets from the movie and early comic book days comparing them to real-world technology. You may be surprised with how viable some of this stuff really is. There is a notable omission of non-Nolan Batman movies, but the new Batmobile gets some good screen time. It's high-def quality and doesn't appear to be available on DVD.
-Batman Unmasked (46:02) The next feature is similar in presentation but more theoretical. It looks at the psychology of the characters and relates it to viewers. Perhaps the most interesting part is the look at President Theodore Roosevelt. Batman gets the most time by far, but numerous villains get a moment or two. I expected more on Joker, but I would still say he gets the most time of all the villains. It's also high-def quality and does not appear to be available on DVD.
-Gotham Tonight (These are filmed as if they were part of a real talkshow / news broadcast. Sometimes reporting, sometimes interviewing, sometimes editorializing the series gives us a look at how people might really react to what happens in Gotham and includes participation by actors from the movie although the overall focus is not on them. They’re absolutely fabulous! I was wishing for another 6 of them. There’s a play all option):
-Election Night (8:00) features a debate over Batman (the host’s opinion becomes quite clear by the end of the series, and he does make some good points) and Dent’s police investigations. Is he doing more harm than good by going after the boys in blue?
-Billionaire Without a Cause (9:42) looks at the wild antics of Bruce and the history of the Wayne family as the people of Gotham would see them. Of course, the irony is in what we, the audience, know is the truth.
-Escalation (7:53) seems to be somewhat of a commentary on drugs and brings up discussion about Scarecrow’s plights. Is he dead or not?
-Top Cop (6:15) is dedicated to Jim Gordon (not yet Commissioner). It offers some backstory and a look at his family.
-Cops & Mobsters (7:07) pits Commissioner Loeb against crime boss Maroni. Is Maroni being unfairly persecuted? This one reveals what the movie details: Dent is doing something good in this town.
-Gotham’s White Night (7:42) is all about Dent: his motives, plans, and thoughts on Batman. It ends with a direct tie to the opening of the movie.
-Galleries (These are slideshows with manual control options. Most of them are extensive):
-Joker Cards: A huge selection of different card designs but with no details given. Joker uses different cards in the movie. Are these ones that were used? Were some considered and discarded? Are they real existing designs or based on any? There is no information about them anywhere.
-Concept Art: A lot of clown masks, views of the Batman suit, etc. Some have descriptions for additional info.
-Poster Art: Various poster designs. This is by far the smallest gallery but has some of the most interesting images.
-Production Stills: Mostly on-set shots with some props and such thrown in.
-Trailers (with a play all option):
-Trailer 1 (0:57) A teaser.
-Trailer 2 (2:08) The first look at the Joker.
-Trailer 3 (2:31) More focus on Rachel and Harvey.
-Anarchy (0:32) Joker's order.
-Alter Ego (0:32) Bruce and Bats contrasted.
-Aggressive Expansion (0:32) Joker's violence.
-1 Rule (0:32) Joker and Bats facing off.
-Avenge (0:32) Comments about Bats avenging evil.
-Madness (0:32) Batman's effect.
-BD-Live (These are features available for those of you with internet capabilities. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the content offered except for one (which I'll get to in a second). Most of the features say "coming soon" or otherwise don't work. You'll have to create an account linked to a working email address to gain full access):
-Record a Commentary: Initially the site provided a way to record and post personal commentaries. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? When I started thinking about recording one to link to my review site I found that the feature is no longer supported. You can still search and play existing commentaries (though I didn't bother doing so), you just can't add new ones.
-Facebook Link: This will access your account to post who knows what.
-Event Manager: In case you want to manage some events I guess.
-Previews: Check out some trailers.
Blu Functions:
-Descriptive Text: This isn't truly an extra (or a Blu function), but it's so unusual I wanted to mention it and didn't know where else to group it. It is a descriptive narrative option. A woman describes scenes and reads text (like the credits) for the visually impaired audience. I thought this was nifty at first, but I really dislike the production elements so I didn't sit through very much of it.
-Subtitles: 3 languages of captions for the extras.
-Menu Sound Toggle
-Bookmark Support