The Dark Knight - Page 67

Tarrant220 · 07-19-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Noble Savage

Yes...just yes.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Wait...he was a selfish bastard for an accidental overdose on prescription medication? I'm confused.

FulorianC · 07-19-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenison

Movie was great...

World of warcraft / Altrac Valley reference was funny

What reference was that? I must have missed it.

krovVy · 07-19-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FulorianC

What reference was that? I must have missed it.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

I don't really think it was a WoW reference imo.

Druixx · 07-19-2008, 12:25 AM

Unbelievable movie. Ledger was born for that role. Once in a lifetime performance. I am at a loss for words. 10/10

FulorianC · 07-19-2008, 12:32 AM

The immovable object / unstoppable force is a concept far predating WoW.

Irresistible force paradox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kirby · 07-19-2008, 12:58 AM

Movie was great. Its a shame Heath Ledger died because the Joker was awesome to watch.

When i heard the Immovable object meeting unstoppable force thing i just knew retards would think it was a WoW reference though.

True Love · 07-19-2008, 01:17 AM

I've seen most of the big movies this summer, but this is the only one where I had to go to a later showing because it sold out. It was also the only one with a line for tickets, and the only one with a line to get in the door half an hour before it started. The other movies I've seen at this theater had maybe 10-20 people in the seats when I went.

It's a truism that superhero movies really need good villains, and Ledger's Joker proves it by single-handedly making this movie as good as it is. Maybe not the best movie villain ever, but every moment that he is on the screen is pure gold. The other thing that greatly increases the impact is the realism, but this is still a comic book movie and in the end that means it never quite has enough.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Obviously, the thing is that both the good guys and the bad guys are still way too powerful. Batman doesn't have superpowers, but the technology he uses may as well be supernatural - the cell phone sonar is beyond ridiculous (I just realized that in addition to giving him a chance to look intelligent, as someone else pointed out, it is also the quintessential bat ability - but that almost makes it worse: "We have to fit in all the bat abilities, even if it would be really stupid!"), but the reconstruction of the thumbprint is the highest grade of techno-bullshit I can remember seeing in a movie in a long time. I don't think either of them were really necessary, except to maintain Batman's do-anything comic book cred. (Compare Iron Man's mini-reactor. Every bit as unrealistic, but central to all of his powers and such a common movie device that you are happily oblivious to just how little anyone would actually care about Iron Man in a world where mini-reactors actually existed.)

The bad guys are just as bad. The entire comic book superhero premise relies on criminals that are absurdly powerful relative to local governments, and Batman derives most of its tension by pushing this to the limit. By all rights, the Gotham City government should have lost all ability to govern the city long ago, Batman or no Batman. But the Joker is worst of all: The amount of stuff he would have had to plan ahead of time to pull off what he did is, well, I completely lost track. He says at one point that he's not that kind of guy, but it's the most transparent lie he tells. The tension between his apparent insanity and his incredible foresight and planning ability is the central mystery of his character. It's part of what makes him interesting, but it's so extreme that it reminds you once again that this is a comic book movie.

The effect of all this is to produce a strong undercurrent that pulls against the verisimilitude that is at the heart of what makes The Dark Knight a cut above other superhero movies. The tension between these forces is what gives the modern Batman movies their unique "realistic, for a comic book" feel. I just think there's still a lot more mileage to be gotten out of pushing the realism even further. Batman is a lot complex and a lot more human than Superman ever was - the movie pounds home the point that he is not a (conventional) hero - but there is still a ways to go, and the direction is almost completely *away* from comic book land.

Most of my other gripes are not specific to Batman. There are enough, but the good stuff in the movie mostly outweighs them.

Seriously though, this is a really good movie, better than the first one (way better than any of the Spiderman movies), and you should absolutely see it if you haven't already.

Citten · 07-19-2008, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by True Love

I've seen most of the big movies this summer, but this is the only one where I had to go to a later showing because it sold out. It was also the only one with a line for tickets, and the only one with a line to get in the door half an hour before it started. The other movies I've seen at this theater had maybe 10-20 people in the seats when I went.

It's a truism that superhero movies really need good villains, and Ledger's Joker proves it by single-handedly making this movie as good as it is. Maybe not the best movie villain ever, but every moment that he is on the screen is pure gold. The other thing that greatly increases the impact is the realism, but this is still a comic book movie and in the end that means it never quite has enough.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Obviously, the thing is that both the good guys and the bad guys are still way too powerful. Batman doesn't have superpowers, but the technology he uses may as well be supernatural - the cell phone sonar is beyond ridiculous (I just realized that in addition to giving him a chance to look intelligent, as someone else pointed out, it is also the quintessential bat ability - but that almost makes it worse: "We have to fit in all the bat abilities, even if it would be really stupid!"), but the reconstruction of the thumbprint is the highest grade of techno-bullshit I can remember seeing in a movie in a long time. I don't think either of them were really necessary, except to maintain Batman's do-anything comic book cred. (Compare Iron Man's mini-reactor. Every bit as unrealistic, but central to all of his powers and such a common movie device that you are happily oblivious to just how little anyone would actually care about Iron Man in a world where mini-reactors actually existed.)

The bad guys are just as bad. The entire comic book superhero premise relies on criminals that are absurdly powerful relative to local governments, and Batman derives most of its tension by pushing this to the limit. By all rights, the Gotham City government should have lost all ability to govern the city long ago, Batman or no Batman. But the Joker is worst of all: The amount of stuff he would have had to plan ahead of time to pull off what he did is, well, I completely lost track. He says at one point that he's not that kind of guy, but it's the most transparent lie he tells. The tension between his apparent insanity and his incredible foresight and planning ability is the central mystery of his character. It's part of what makes him interesting, but it's so extreme that it reminds you once again that this is a comic book movie.

The effect of all this is to produce a strong undercurrent that pulls against the verisimilitude that is at the heart of what makes The Dark Knight a cut above other superhero movies. The tension between these forces is what gives the modern Batman movies their unique "realistic, for a comic book" feel. I just think there's still a lot more mileage to be gotten out of pushing the realism even further. Batman is a lot complex and a lot more human than Superman ever was - the movie pounds home the point that he is not a (conventional) hero - but there is still a ways to go, and the direction is almost completely *away* from comic book land.

Most of my other gripes are not specific to Batman. There are enough, but the good stuff in the movie mostly outweighs them.

Seriously though, this is a really good movie, better than the first one (way better than any of the Spiderman movies), and you should absolutely see it if you haven't already.

Thank you so much for posting that spoiler. I thought i was totally alone.

McCheese · 07-19-2008, 01:37 AM

If Heath Ledger doesn't win an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker I might have to swear off movies for the rest of my life.

I thought all the hype was due to his untimely death. Now I'm convinced that if he were still alive it would still be considered one of the most amazing performances ever. I seriously cannot remember seeing a better portrayal of a villain--or hell, character in general--in even "real" cinema, let alone a superhero movie.

I can't get over how detailed Ledger's performance is. The way he moves his hands, walks, looks around, all the little ticks, constantly licking his lips...plus the voice and laugh. It's almost scary to watch how fully he becomes the character.

Brigandier · 07-19-2008, 01:38 AM

The Riddler would be an interesting new villain, but it would have to be extremely different from how the Joker was portrayed..

xxmalisxx · 07-19-2008, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Noble Savage

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Everything you've just spoilered, I have thought. When

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS??? YUP!

FulorianC · 07-19-2008, 01:56 AM

Wow, comic book movies have come a long fucking way in 20 years.

Kez · 07-19-2008, 02:19 AM

After watching The Dark Knight in the morning and seeing Silence of the Lambs just a little while ago, I'd definitely be pissed if there wasn't at least an Oscar nomination for Heath Ledger for his portrayal of the Joker.

Zarcath · 07-19-2008, 02:30 AM

quick and dirty edit

Lowk · 07-19-2008, 02:39 AM

The godamn batman

07-19-2008, 01:38 AM	#1000 (permalink)
Brigandier Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 309 +12 Internets	The Riddler would be an interesting new villain, but it would have to be extremely different from how the Joker was portrayed.. __________________

07-19-2008, 02:30 AM	#1004 (permalink)
Zarcath is a little tea pot. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 6,465 +75 Internets	quick and dirty edit Attached Images __________________

07-19-2008, 02:39 AM	#1005 (permalink)
Lowk This is not a pipe. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,673	The godamn batman Attached Images

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07-19-2008, 12:25 AM	#994 (permalink)
Druixx Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 295	Unbelievable movie. Ledger was born for that role. Once in a lifetime performance. I am at a loss for words. 10/10

07-19-2008, 12:32 AM	#995 (permalink)
FulorianC Real Life Apologist Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denton, Texas Posts: 2,036	The immovable object / unstoppable force is a concept far predating WoW. Irresistible force paradox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

07-19-2008, 12:58 AM	#996 (permalink)
Kirby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 345 -8 Internets	Movie was great. Its a shame Heath Ledger died because the Joker was awesome to watch. When i heard the Immovable object meeting unstoppable force thing i just knew retards would think it was a WoW reference though.

07-19-2008, 01:17 AM	#997 (permalink)
True Love hax uber alles Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 280 -14 Internets	I've seen most of the big movies this summer, but this is the only one where I had to go to a later showing because it sold out. It was also the only one with a line for tickets, and the only one with a line to get in the door half an hour before it started. The other movies I've seen at this theater had maybe 10-20 people in the seats when I went. It's a truism that superhero movies really need good villains, and Ledger's Joker proves it by single-handedly making this movie as good as it is. Maybe not the best movie villain ever, but every moment that he is on the screen is pure gold. The other thing that greatly increases the impact is the realism, but this is still a comic book movie and in the end that means it never quite has enough. Spoiler Alert, click show to read: Obviously, the thing is that both the good guys and the bad guys are still way too powerful. Batman doesn't have superpowers, but the technology he uses may as well be supernatural - the cell phone sonar is beyond ridiculous (I just realized that in addition to giving him a chance to look intelligent, as someone else pointed out, it is also the quintessential bat ability - but that almost makes it worse: "We have to fit in all the bat abilities, even if it would be really stupid!"), but the reconstruction of the thumbprint is the highest grade of techno-bullshit I can remember seeing in a movie in a long time. I don't think either of them were really necessary, except to maintain Batman's do-anything comic book cred. (Compare Iron Man's mini-reactor. Every bit as unrealistic, but central to all of his powers and such a common movie device that you are happily oblivious to just how little anyone would actually care about Iron Man in a world where mini-reactors actually existed.) The bad guys are just as bad. The entire comic book superhero premise relies on criminals that are absurdly powerful relative to local governments, and Batman derives most of its tension by pushing this to the limit. By all rights, the Gotham City government should have lost all ability to govern the city long ago, Batman or no Batman. But the Joker is worst of all: The amount of stuff he would have had to plan ahead of time to pull off what he did is, well, I completely lost track. He says at one point that he's not that kind of guy, but it's the most transparent lie he tells. The tension between his apparent insanity and his incredible foresight and planning ability is the central mystery of his character. It's part of what makes him interesting, but it's so extreme that it reminds you once again that this is a comic book movie. The effect of all this is to produce a strong undercurrent that pulls against the verisimilitude that is at the heart of what makes The Dark Knight a cut above other superhero movies. The tension between these forces is what gives the modern Batman movies their unique "realistic, for a comic book" feel. I just think there's still a lot more mileage to be gotten out of pushing the realism even further. Batman is a lot complex and a lot more human than Superman ever was - the movie pounds home the point that he is not a (conventional) hero - but there is still a ways to go, and the direction is almost completely away from comic book land. Most of my other gripes are not specific to Batman. There are enough, but the good stuff in the movie mostly outweighs them. Seriously though, this is a really good movie, better than the first one (way better than any of the Spiderman movies), and you should absolutely see it if you haven't already.

07-19-2008, 01:37 AM	#999 (permalink)
McCheese Ruling McDonaldland with an iron fist Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,247 +9 Internets	If Heath Ledger doesn't win an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker I might have to swear off movies for the rest of my life. I thought all the hype was due to his untimely death. Now I'm convinced that if he were still alive it would still be considered one of the most amazing performances ever. I seriously cannot remember seeing a better portrayal of a villain--or hell, character in general--in even "real" cinema, let alone a superhero movie. I can't get over how detailed Ledger's performance is. The way he moves his hands, walks, looks around, all the little ticks, constantly licking his lips...plus the voice and laugh. It's almost scary to watch how fully he becomes the character.

07-19-2008, 01:56 AM	#1002 (permalink)
FulorianC Real Life Apologist Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denton, Texas Posts: 2,036	Wow, comic book movies have come a long fucking way in 20 years.

07-19-2008, 02:19 AM	#1003 (permalink)
Kez MMO Slacker Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 747 +1 Internets	After watching The Dark Knight in the morning and seeing Silence of the Lambs just a little while ago, I'd definitely be pissed if there wasn't at least an Oscar nomination for Heath Ledger for his portrayal of the Joker.