Have Your Heard? ‘The Dark Knight’ Is Here

(This appeared in the July 25th edition of the Southwest News-Herald)

You have not been able to pick up a magazine or newspaper or turn on the television or radio in the last two and a half weeks without someone talking about “The Dark Knight.” Most of the attention is due to two reasons — it is one of the best comic book films of all time and because of the death of Heath Ledger.

I saw the movie this past weekend, and all of the rave reviews are well worth it. It was not only the best comic book movie ever made, but one of the best action movies ever made, as well. Everything from the dialogue, story, actors, camera work and seeing Chicago as Gotham City was spectacular.I’m going to try and not give away any spoilers, even though millions of people went to see it the first weekend, breaking “Spiderman 3’s” opening record.

The story evolves around Batman, again played by Christian Bale, and Lt. James Gordon, again played by Gary Oldman, of the Gotham Police Department, still fighting to take down the mob. Gotham’s new district attorney, Harvey Dent, played by Aaron Eckhart, joins the two heroes to take down the mob. The mob, who has been scared since Batman arrived, gets taken over by the Joker, played by Ledger.

The story is centered around the three men trying to take down the mob and stop the Joker from killing more people. Much is being made about if Ledger will get nominated for an Best Supporting Actor Oscar. I’m not sure if he will, but he should. And for the record, I would still be saying that if he were still alive.

Ledger is amazing in this movie as the most evil incarnation of the Joker we have ever seen on film, a lot better than Jack Nicholson. He is evil personified and is great in the role, which you can tell he was having a lot of fun playing. But, so is the rest of the cast. Eckhart is great as Dent and ultimately his alter ego, Two-Face.As the movie moves along, so does Dent’s actions and temper until he is transformed into the villain. Oldman is terrific as a cop who doesn’t want to believe in police corruption and is willing to do what it takes to stop the mob and the Joker.

Bale plays Batman this time as a torn hero. He is torn because the woman he loves is in love with Dent. But Bruce Wayne is also torn because he knows his enemies are not afraid of him because of Batman’s vow not to kill anyone. All four men share about the same amount of screen time, because it is a story that revolves around all of them and how they change at the end of the movie. Actually, the Joker is the one character that doesn’t change. He just wants to create chaos.

The last 30 minutes of the film keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how this will all end.The interrogation scene with Gordon and the Joker then Batman and the Joker is among the films most memorable scenes. The car chase filmed on Lower Wacker Drive is amazing to see in IMAX. And the battle with Batman and the Joker at the films climax was also memorable where the Joker delivers a classic line that explains the bizarre relationship between Batman and the Joker, in the comic books.

There are other good performances in the film. Portraying Rachel Dawes is Maggie Gyllenhaal, who replaces and is a big step up from Katie Holmes. Returning are Michael Cane as Alfred, Bruce Wayne’s butler, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, the man at the head of Wayne Enterprises. These are the only three who know Batman’s true identity.I can’t recommend this film enough. Even if you are not a big super hero or comic book movie fan, the performances are amazing, the story has a lot of elements but flows naturally.
Go see it!

(Chuck Salvatore is a reporter for the Southwest News-Herald. He can be reached at (773) 476-4800 ext. 241, or at chucksalvatore@hotmail.com. Also don’t forget to catch him every Thursday on the Linda Padgurskis show from noon to 1 p.m. and every Friday on the Out ‘N’ About show with Ron and Joe from 2 to 3 p.m., both on WJJG 1530 AM with his bi-weekly sports reports.)