Ryan WestThe Movie Experience of 2008- The Dark Knight
Every now and then, a film comes along that is so genuinely astounding, so perfectly interwoven with equal parts skill and magic, that one requires no assistance whatsoever to suspend reality whilst in the theatre. Your hands grip your seat, and your attention has been thoroughly taken hostage.
For 2008, Chris Nolan’s 'The Dark Knight' can stand firmly in that position.
From start to finish, I was gripped, mentally and viscerally, by every moment of this film, not the least by Heath Ledger’s stomach-churningly genius interpretation of the legendary Joker, which will ring in the halls of film lore for many years to come. Ledger is completely and totally transformed, from his unrecognisable voice to the unpredictable Joker’s tiniest character mannerisms. His performance is sheer brilliance.
And the stunning support cast also resonate with him. Christian Bale as Batman is a haunted hero, full of rage and sacrifice, and portrays Bruce Wayne just as convincingly as the winged vigilante's billionaire alter ego. Bale, however, is not the silver medallist in this picture- Aaron Eckhart embodies a spectacular, multi-faceted role, the details of which I will decline to elaborate upon out of respect for those yet to see the movie. Suffice to say, however, that Eckhart has really upped his game with this role, and I’m excited to see what he will give us in the next Batman instalment, The Caped Crusader.
Every scene of The Dark Knight looks to be masterfully put together- from the both incredibly subtle and directive lighting, to the exquisite sound design that echoes through every frame, resounding through the viewer’s ears as if we stood within the explosions, and informing us subconsciously in the most understated of moments. The characters are full bodied, very believable, and each treated with the development they deserve within the labyrinthine plot that orchestrates their narrative movements. Speaking of which, The Dark Knight does not even attempt to abide by traditional audience expectations of plot- surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant, await the viewer at every turn. Even the most seasoned of film goers will find themselves feeling as though they are missing something at some point in the film.
Once this film finished, I had a strange feeling. For a moment, I couldn’t pin what it was, but then I figured it out- The Dark Knight was so well crafted, so enthralling, that my imagination was still firmly tied to its world, even when the last credits faded to black- the film had drawn me into it so intensely, that my own reality seemed slightly alien for several minutes. Like all the very best, this film is not to be simply watched- it can only be experienced.
For 2008, Chris Nolan’s 'The Dark Knight' can stand firmly in that position.
From start to finish, I was gripped, mentally and viscerally, by every moment of this film, not the least by Heath Ledger’s stomach-churningly genius interpretation of the legendary Joker, which will ring in the halls of film lore for many years to come. Ledger is completely and totally transformed, from his unrecognisable voice to the unpredictable Joker’s tiniest character mannerisms. His performance is sheer brilliance.
And the stunning support cast also resonate with him. Christian Bale as Batman is a haunted hero, full of rage and sacrifice, and portrays Bruce Wayne just as convincingly as the winged vigilante's billionaire alter ego. Bale, however, is not the silver medallist in this picture- Aaron Eckhart embodies a spectacular, multi-faceted role, the details of which I will decline to elaborate upon out of respect for those yet to see the movie. Suffice to say, however, that Eckhart has really upped his game with this role, and I’m excited to see what he will give us in the next Batman instalment, The Caped Crusader.
Every scene of The Dark Knight looks to be masterfully put together- from the both incredibly subtle and directive lighting, to the exquisite sound design that echoes through every frame, resounding through the viewer’s ears as if we stood within the explosions, and informing us subconsciously in the most understated of moments. The characters are full bodied, very believable, and each treated with the development they deserve within the labyrinthine plot that orchestrates their narrative movements. Speaking of which, The Dark Knight does not even attempt to abide by traditional audience expectations of plot- surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant, await the viewer at every turn. Even the most seasoned of film goers will find themselves feeling as though they are missing something at some point in the film.
Once this film finished, I had a strange feeling. For a moment, I couldn’t pin what it was, but then I figured it out- The Dark Knight was so well crafted, so enthralling, that my imagination was still firmly tied to its world, even when the last credits faded to black- the film had drawn me into it so intensely, that my own reality seemed slightly alien for several minutes. Like all the very best, this film is not to be simply watched- it can only be experienced.
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