The Dark Knight Review For Blu-Ray Elite!!!

In honor of director Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises film debut next week, I wanted to write my last review for the Warner Bros. blu-ray elite program on The Dark Knight. Nolan is back for the second film of the Batman franchise (and obviously the third!) along with Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman. Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Aaron Eckhart are newcomers to the widely acclaimed Warner Bros film. The Dark Knight focuses on the injustice in Gotham City, and how Batman (Bale) decides to team up with Gotham’s finest to take down the corrupted mob, but chaos ensues and the most villainous, psychotic character comes to life as The Joker (Ledger). 

I’ve said this once, and I’ll say it a thousand times, Christopher Nolan is a genius at his craft. The films that this director has under his belt are mind blowing, with Memento, Batman Begins, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, and his most recent film (other than The Dark Knight Rises that is) Inception. It’s obvious that Nolan knows how to write a fantastic story and shoot a high quality film. Nolan did a great job with creating a gritty, realistic tone throughout Gotham City. This is one of the few comic book films that don’t come off as cheesy, campy or unrealistic. The Dark Knight is a crime drama that will have you at the edge of your seat from the start. As soon as the film begins there is non-stop action.

The acting in this film is phenomenal. Christian Bale is perfect as the wealthy, smart, confident Bruce Wayne and as the crime fighting, vigilante Batman. One thing I love about Bale’s performance is that he changes his voice when he portrays Batman. Many people don’t like that, but I think it adds character to not only Batman but to Bruce Wayne. He comes off strong, powerful and mysterious and although I don’t know much about comics I’m pretty sure that’s how Batman is portrayed in them. Maggie Gyllenhaal is great as Rachel Dawes; she’s sweet, smart and tough. Aaron Eckhart delivered a fine performance as Harvey Dent and Two-Face. He portrays Harvey as this confident, likeable politician and as soon as he turns into Two-Face his character turns into a vicious, evil villain. But, no one’s performance in this film comes anywhere close to Academy Award winner, Heath Ledger. His performance is truly unbelievable and I have full confidence that there is absolutely no one that could’ve portrayed that role better than him. He became The Joker. He portrayed this psychotic, chaotic, clown-like villain perfectly. He embodied this insane, mad, corrupt crime boss with frightening makeup, cackles, strange clothes, and a merciless attitude on life.

In conclusion, I highly recommend The Dark Knight to anyone who enjoys action-packed crime dramas, filled with a heart-wrenching story, beautiful scenic shots and a film packed with incredible actors, especially Heath Ledger, his performance alone is reason enough to catch this flick.

Be sure to catch Nolan's third and final film of the Batman franchise, The Dark Knight Rises this Friday!!!