The Dark Knight (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition) Review


Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard about Ledger’s outstanding performance as the Joker – but it’s not just a “say-nothing-ill-of-the-dead” review. It’s a truly original, as well as faithful performance. Jack Nicholson didn’t really perform the genius of the Joker as much as his craziness; it was more like Nicholson doing macabre vaudeville. It wasn’t the real Joker. This is the real Joker through and through, but re-envisioned with a dose of realism. And by saying this, I dare you to find Heath Ledger anywhere in that mad man on the silver screen.

The script is sharp, delves into Batman’s psyche better than any cinematic endeavor to date (except for one game: Batman: Arkham Asylum. This is just the current level of performance gifted to director Nolan.

The entire cast is the strongest of any recent movie I’ve seen, but I will say there’s one moment where Bale’s raspy voice as the Dark Knight is kind of awkward. No movie’s perfect, but this one may well inspire a three-time viewing.

The Dark Knight (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition) Feature

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The Dark Knight (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition) Overview

BATMAN, GORDON AND HARVEY DENT ARE FORCED TO DEAL WITH THE CHAOS UNLEASHED BY AN ANARCHIST MASTERMIND KNOWN ONLY AS THE JOKER, AS IT DRIVES EACH OF THEM TO THEIR LIMITS.

The Dark Knight (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition) Specifications

The Dark Knight arrives with tremendous hype (best superhero movie ever? posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger?), and incredibly, it lives up to all of it. But calling it the best superhero movie ever seems like faint praise, since part of what makes the movie great–in addition to pitch-perfect casting, outstanding writing, and a compelling vision–is that it bypasses the normal fantasy element of the superhero genre and makes it all terrifyingly real. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) is Gotham City’s new district attorney, charged with cleaning up the crime rings that have paralyzed the city. He enters an uneasy alliance with the young police lieutenant, Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman), and Batman (Christian Bale), the caped vigilante who seems to trust only Gordon–and whom only Gordon seems to trust. They make progress until a psychotic and deadly new player enters the game: the Joker (Heath Ledger), who offers the crime bosses a solution–kill the Batman. Further complicating matters is that Dent is now dating Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal, after Katie Holmes turned down the chance to reprise her role), the longtime love of Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne.

In his last completed role before his tragic death, Ledger is fantastic as the Joker, a volcanic, truly frightening force of evil. And he sets the tone of the movie: the world is a dark, dangerous place where there are no easy choices. Eckhart and Oldman also shine, but as good as Bale is, his character turns out rather bland in comparison (not uncommon for heroes facing more colorful villains). Director-cowriter Christopher Nolan (Memento) follows his critically acclaimed Batman Begins with an even better sequel that sets itself apart from notable superhero movies like Spider-Man 2 and Iron Man because of its sheer emotional impact and striking sense of realism–there are no suspension-of-disbelief superpowers here. At 152 minutes, it’s a shade too long, and it’s much too intense for kids. But for most movie fans–and not just superhero fans–The Dark Knight is a film for the ages. –David Horiuchi

On the DVD
Unlike the Blu-ray disc, The Dark Knight on DVD is completely in 2.40:1 aspect ratio. You can, however, watch the six IMAX scenes separately. Also on disc 2 are “Gotham Uncovered: The Creation of a Scene,” which is behind-the-scenes footage about the Bat suit, the Bat pod, and the music; eight-minute segments of Gotham Central, a faux-news program that gives some background to events in the movie; plus a variety of trailers, poster art, and more. Last, there’s a digital copy of the film compatible with iTunes and Windows Media (download code expires 12/9/09). –David Horiuchi

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Customer Reviews

Very disappointing as a special edition – Marcos E. Ruiz Rivero –
The movie is great! but the features sucks! If you wanna buy cause of the movie go for it, but if you are a feature fun, then don’t waste your $$$, we should wait till they come out with a better version and show more on how the made the movie etc.

Dark but very entertaining – Jopean –
Heath Ledger gives an epic performance. Moves quickly, drama and suspense are well done – you’re never bored. Nice camera work, good acting – as usual Zimmer provides a great score. All around a great movie.

Total Crap – Batman is a loser! – W. Dinatale – Tennessee USA
I liked the first one and thought the Joker was way too Psychotic and Batman was always 3 steps behind him and got his ASS Kicked!

LOSER!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 29, 2010 01:30:12

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