'The Dark Knight'

What are the chances of stripping away all the elements? All the hype, all the notoriety, the weight of expectation - everything; and just watch a film like it was one that came out of no where. It doesn't really matter at this point, as 'The Dark Knight' went on to shatter box office records in its opening weekend (and counting). The anticipation of a recently revived franchise with a macabre, starring role by a now deceased actor was more than enough for the masses to want it for their summer blockbuster.
'The Dark Knight' succeeds on the level of sweeping blockbuster. There's dazzling action sequences, a constant barrage of string swelling, crowd-pleasing punch lines, and epic shots with hundreds of Gotham City extras. Here we find our hero ready to step aside let the city swoon over a new one that is more than happy to show his face, young D.A. Harvey Dent. Though heartbroken over Dent's courtship with his ex, Rachel Dawes, he's relieved that the city may be heading in an era where they can live without Batman. Not so. The city soon spirals out of control as a unified band of mobsters teams up with the maniacal Joker, whose determined to wipe out Batman for good. Or is he?
The marriage of Christopher Nolan and the Batman franchise was a masterstroke. Here he again marries the wide, cinematic scope we've seen in recent years with a hand-held style reserved for moments of unnerving suspense. Through it all, everything is grimly lit. Even sequences in daytime have an air of darkness about them. Unfortunately, the film's pacing softens its momentum. Primarily based on the series 'Batman: The Long Halloween', Nolan and his brother Jonathan seemed determined to unfold the plot in a manner similar to that of turning the pages of a comic book. Though admirable, this makes watching the two-and-a-half hour film a mild struggle by its third act.
The pacing isn't the only thing hurting "The Dark Knight'. Christian Bale still has the dapper charm to play Bruce Wayne and the dark vulnerability to play Batman, but his "Batman voice" still sounds somewhat ridiculous. Aaron Eckhart's hot shot D.A., Harvey Dent, has the cockiness and oily charm of a Kennedy; but he struggles with Two Face's vigilante rampage. The best performance of the film comes in the form of Gary Oldman. Here he again proves to us that he can do anything as he revives his role as Lt. Jim Gordon (pre-Commisioner). He owns the mustache, spectacles, and weary face of a dying breed of honest cop in the endlessly corrupt Gotham City. Much has been made of the dead guy, Heath Ledger. Forgive me, but it seems hard for people to look at a performance without thinking of the notoriety surrounding the performer. Most of the audience have already decided that his Joker is maybe the greatest performance of the year so far, and one that mirrored his health troubles in real life. He's certainly no Jack Nicholson. He has few jokes and struggles with the charm with which the Joker captivates the criminal underworld and public alike. In one scene, when he and his mob burst into a well attended fund raiser in an effort to kidnap Dent; Ledger just looks out of place as a character who can walk into a room and take it over. He was maybe too young for the role, and the masterful monolouges and punchlines never really come. That being said, he works wonders with what was given to him. He licks his lips compulsively; perfects an obnoxious-by-way-of-terrifying accent; and disappears behind the smeared makeup and greasy, green hair. In one unforgettable shot; he sticks his head out of a speeding, stolen police car like a dog taking in the air. He looks maniacally adventurous and absolutely insane. Like 'The Dark Knight', Ledger's performance is one beloved right out of the canon and across the board. Warts and all. And for all the rights and wrongs within, you can't take your eyes of it.