il Giardino Romantico

[Spoiler Warning: May contain plot and/or ending!!]

If one were to ask me if I 'liked' The Dark Knight, my answer would be a 'No'.  However, I must proclaim that whether or not I liked the film does not mean that I am incapable of appreciating a good production when I see one.  In other words, it was a quality movie and that even though I claim to not like it, I would, if I had the opportunity to, watch it over and over again.  I must admit that before repeated viewings, I would certainly hesitate, because of the darker and deeper themes depicted in this second sequel of the new Batman franchise.

The main cast returns to collaborate with director Christopher Nolan once more.  Though less is seen of Christian Bale's pretty-face, much satisfaction can be gained, still, through Morgan Freeman's character as Lucius Fox, Michael Caine's as Alfred, and Gary Oldman's James Gordon.  I found it difficult to adjust to Maggie Gyllenhaal's replacement of Katie Holme's role as Rachel Dawes, however that can easily be overlooked if you stay focused on Heath Ledger's excellent portrayal of the Joker and Aaron Eckhart's as district attorney Harvey 'Two-Face' Dent. 

Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes in Batman Begins

As of Batman Begins, Lucius Fox and Alfred are the only ones, along with Rachel, to know the true identity of the Batman.  Knowing and understanding he is working for the betterment of Gotham, they continue to support him and offer him backup whenever necessary.  Though Lt. Gordon is the only person that can actually 'get in touch' with Batman, the superhero continues to appear and disappear as he sees appropriate, i.e. mysteriously.  In addition to Gordon's role as the protector of a righteous world, comes district attorney Harvey Dent, who rivals Bruce Wayne, the man under the Batman disguise, as they both seek the affection of Rachel.


Michael Caine as Alfred, butler to the Wayne household. 

Undoubtedly, the Joker would be the main attraction for many Ledger fans and Batman fans as well.  Though appearing always so clownishly, he is by far the worst villain anyone could ever wish to confront.  The reason for that is because compared to Ra's al Guhl, who at least believed that his criminal actions would help improve the world, the Joker had not a single drop of warm blood in him.  He steals for entertainment's sake.  He kills to pleasure himself.  He has no family.  No friends.  No lover.  He is alone in this world, and has nothing to gain, nor lose from doing whatever he chooses to do.  It is only paradoxical enough, then, for one of the most sordid villains to be called 'the Joker', who dresses in a clownish attire of bright colors, bearing a smile that will never wear off.  Compared to the just and righteous characters who mainly wear dark and monochrome suites and clothings, and rarely smiling, the Joker is obviously their antithesis.


Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight

'Why so serious?' he would ask.  I recall my first Michael Keaton Batman and realized why I never liked Batman until Batman Begins.  He was too serious.  The themes were too dark.  There was very little comic relief, if there were any.  For a young girl of ten, it would not be too much of a surprise, then, to say that she enjoyed Superman a lot more than she did Batman.  At least Clark Kent's clumsiness was something to laugh at. 

So, it was in Batman Begins that I began to develop a new interest in this character.  I was bewildered by the fact that Batman was actually Bruce Wayne, where as in the older ones, it seemed the other way around.  Batman became Bruce Wayne when his identity needed shielding.  In the new one, Bruce Wayne becomes Batman.  He was a billionaire, but also just human. He did not become the villain-fighting, crime-stopping superhero overnight.  Everyone must have loved that physical and psychological development stuff.  There was not a chance I would miss out on the Dark Knight after that.


Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego Batman.

The Dark Knight is darker and deeper than Batman Begins in the sense that the psychological analysis of not only Bruce Wayne/Batman is being dealt with, but also that of the human race as a whole.  The ultimate quintessential question that all artists, writers, dramatists, philosophers, and people in general, have been trying to answer since the beginning of time - are we good or evil?  Can good be corrupted and contaminated?  Can evil turn good?

Surely the diversion of Dent's character into Two-Face became an utter disappointment, for he was on his way to become the overt symbol of justice and righteousness.  Therefore, it became necessary that our superhero take on the blame for his crimes and become a Christ figure.  This parallel can also be seen when Gordon smashes his Batman signal light, which is a symbolic crucifixion of Batman.  However, rest assure that this 'messiah' will surely rise once more.



Further reading:
[Film] The Dark Knight - Interviews