July 18th, 2008 was the release date of The Dark Knight. In my opinion, if Iron Man was the catalyst for the world to see superhero films differently then the Dark Knight was when the critics started listening too and rightly so. But what was it that really set this film apart? What really made this film so much better than the others that came before and why is it still held as one of the greatest of the superhero films? Well, I’ll tell you why.
Christopher Nolan can best be described as a “Method Director” : Someone who gets so lost in their own work that occasionally it can even be scary. It also explains why he works with so many method actors. He truly gets lost in the story and design of every film once he truly has his heart set on something which is ultimately where the brilliance of this movie comes from. Every scene just breathes Nolan and it’s one of the many reasons that this film works as well as it does. Nolan’s vision for who Batman was and his effect on Gotham is one of my favorite things about the film and it’s unfortunate that so many writers saw this film and took it the wrong way. See, in my opinion Batman is absolutely good for Gotham. He’s born of a tragedy and sees the terror that is engulfing his home and then proceeds to react to it. Batman Begins does a great job by showing us just how much the city needed Batman but what about the reaction to Batman himself? Well, that’s where the Dark Knight comes in.
The fact that The Joker appears as a reaction to Batman is almost always the case for the mythos and it still is for me on a personal understanding of the story. The Joker is the darkest parts of the city epitomized in one person. Gotham isn’t easy, it never has been and never will be. Bruce has told us this time and time again and ultimately, staying in it and fighting it is what makes Bruce better as a person. Batman and Gotham have something of a symbiotic relationship in that manner which is something that this movie gets right. The fact that he’s scared all of the old crime into basically going underground is one of my favorite parts of the film but that’s why the Joker thrives in this movie.
The opening to this film is one of my absolute favorites in cinematic history. Joker’s ability to turn everyone on each other is his main ability. Yeah, he’s a capable fighter but he’s much better at playing people against each other. He does it throughout the entire movie whether it’s his gang in the opening, the last of the mob families in their big meeting, his gang at the party or even Gordon and Dent at the finale of the film. It’s why his line “Look what I did to this town with some gasoline and a couple of bullets” is really a perfect summary of the first hour and 45 minutes of the film. Because he’s played everyone in the film. It’s what separates the two characters so well and why they work as a perfect juxtaposition to each other.
There’s one scene where the Joker tells the truth the entire time and it’s easily my favorite scene of the entire film : The Interrogation. Everything about this scene is the perfect example of what makes this film the pinnacle of comic book films. The dialogue is brilliant, the performances are oscar worthy and the score is outstanding. The tension that builds is one of genuine fear and concern for these characters because you don’t really understand what’s coming. The Joker is in complete control and it’s horrifying.
Everything leads up to a final 30 minutes that to me is the perfect finale for what this film has said about Batman and Gotham as a whole. The 2 boats scenario is the quintessential Joker plan and I love how Batman takes down the entire building plus. The entire thing works so well together and Nolan presses us through it like a steady freight train. Quickly, but with precise movements. I do love the role reversal between the “Criminal” who throws the detonator away and the “Civilized Person” who almost pulls the trigger but ultimately decides against it.
Then you have the Joker’s final speech with Batman which shows you why this entire film hinged on their relationship and that it’s why it works. “I think we’re destined to do this forever” is one of my favorite lines in film history. It of course leads to his final trick which is Harvey becoming Two-Face and for me, it’s the essential interpretation of the character because until he attacks Gordon and his family, I honestly didn’t disagree with Harvey too much. Naturally he gradually becomes darker as he goes and then has the final showdown of the film which places Batman as the “Villain” of Gotham. He becomes the sacrifice so that Gotham can survive.
As a closing note, if Christopher and Jonathan Nolan are the road map then Hans Zimmer is the one driving the car. His score here is nothing short of a masterpiece. The heroic themes when Batman shows up to the tense violin strings in the Joker’s theme are really what sets this movie a step above everything else. Nothing can be said against his skill level and I honestly don’t think this movie would work as well without him.
