Posted by
Catmman on Sunday, July 20, 2008 6:20:48 PM
INTENSE! And worth every minute!
I don't think I buy the whole "Best Picture" thing being bandied about in some circles, but this movie is one of the best I have ever seen.
No spoilers, don't worry.
First, Heath Ledger. One thing which struck me profoundly was that it is a shame that Heath Ledger is dead. His death, as tragic as it was, didn't garner much sympathy from me on a personal level. I felt sorry for his family, but figured, "Meh. Another tragic Hollywood ending." You know what I'm saying. However, after watching his performance in this film it is indeed a shame he is gone. It is a loss. A loss for future film. And as far as saying TDK isn't really an Oscar worthy film, Heath Ledger's performance is in and of itself, Oscar worthy. And I'm not saying that as a sympathy vote. Ledger's Joker is THAT bloody good!
What makes Ledgers performance so good as well, at least to me is as scene stealing as it is - it isn't. If you think back to the first Batman, Jack Nicholson kinda stole the show. The original movie was excellent, it is one of my all time favorites. But Nicholson's Joker really stole the show. In as much as Ledger's Joker does steal the show, his performance moves so well, is so woven into the movie, it doesn't become the primary focus.
Practically everything in this movie works. My only complaint is that there is a part where the movie feels like it's being stretched (the run time is 164 minutes), but ultimately it works.
Ultimately what makes me like this movie so much is that I felt inspired by it. Yes, I said inspired. As dark as this movie is, it left me feeling good. Sometimes bad things must be done. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. But when those bad things happen, when good people get hurt, the strong among us continue. They persevere. Those people will endure unspeakable pain, loss, hardship, but will pull themselves together and re-engage the bad guy. When it's so easy to roll over and give up; to blame others; to just let the bad happen - in fact when the calls for doing just that come from every corner - there are those among us who will press on regardless of the consequences, perhaps even knowing what those consequences are - knowing they are making a choice which will end in despair for themself. And those people will do those things simply because IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
And those people do not lose themselves. Though it would be easier to let go and embrace the evil, even if the evil IS embraced, however briefly, that reason and rationality ultimately bring a person back from the brink. The film shows what happens when reason is abandoned to insanity.
The movie shows the worst of man, but then shows what is best in men!
THAT is why I love this movie.
Yeah, yeah. I know your thinking I'm being a bit overly dramatic right? It's a movie about a comic book character, how can it be all of the above? Well, it is. I think that is why this movie is receiving the attention it is. Because it is truly a movie that reaches into every person and shows them the worst about themselves. But shows redemption isn't out of reach - IF one is willing to work for it!
A fantastic movie in every respect. I highly recommend it!