The Dark Knight - Why So Serious?

Having ranted away this morning about a couple of things that fucked me right off, I thought I would attempt balance by offering a more positive post. Although it is something positive that I reckon a lot of people will find fundamentally depressing.

Yep, The Dark Knight. The new Batman picture. It has been hyped to the max, and was always going to make a lot of money. But being hyped and making money is not an effective test of quality. If it was, then Titanic would be the best film ever made. Rather than a tedious, predictable bit of popcorn fodder enjoyed only by teenage girls lusting after the boyish Leonardo Di Caprio. So, is The Dark Knight any good?

Yes. Absolutely. Pretty fantastic, if you ask me. There are some negative points, of course - no film is perfect. Some of the action sequences don't make sense. Other moments, like Dent's kidnapping, should be seen rather than told. Overall, the already long film feels like it should be longer - and that the extra time would help make the narrative clearer and more coherent. Finally, Bale's Batman is so gruff that it is almost impossible to hear what he is saying - if his voice was any deeper, it would be a dull, incoherent rumble. A tube train, rather than an actor talking.

But these are minor gripes. Overall, the film is superb. Ledger is good in an actor's dream role - his Joker is scary and unpredictable, but I think those actors with less obvious parts are arguably stronger than Ledger. Bale effectively plays three different roles - Bruce Wayne the arrogant playboy, Bruce Wayne the detective, and Batman the action (anti) hero. Eckhart does Dent justice but really comes into his own when playing two face - making a hideously disfigured murderer sympathetic. But for me the best performance comes from Gary Oldman as Gordon - he manages to make the police officer a fallible, human character at the same time as making him the quietest, yet most affecting, hero of the picture. And the film is visually stunning - the action set pieces look good and the pace of the film, despite the long run time, never lets up. A stunning piece of film making.

And my review is in line with a lot of other positive reviews. Mark my words, though, it won't be long until people start dissenting and criticising the film. And I think a lot of criticisms will focus in on the tone of the film. Make no mistake, this is a dark film. Batman is seriously screwed up. The Joker gives people Glasgow smiles. Two-Face is created through a traumatic moment, and the make-up for the monstrous side of his face is horrific. As a result there will be those who remember the 1960's show, or Joel Schmacher and the Bat Nipples, and ask (to quote the Joker) "Why so serious?"

The answer is simple - because it should be. Yes, Batman is derived from a comic book. But that doesn't mean it has to be light-hearted pap. This is a dark story - it is about a vigilante with post traumatic stress disorder fighting in a crime ridden city against nightmarish psychopaths. It was never going to be, and should never aspire to be, Mamma Mia. If you are looking for a jovial, comic book romp, Iron Man is for you. If you are looking for an audacious piece of film-making that transcends the comic book origin, go see The Dark Knight.

In fact, go see The Dark Knight anyway. Part Greek tragedy, part horror movie, part action packed blockbuster - whether you like Batman or not, The Dark Knight is worth a view.