First Viewing, Initial Thoughts

EDIT: Beware, the comments section has become rather spoiler-heavy!

I've wanted to hold off on this until I've conferred with a couple other people, or even until I've seen it again (on IMAX or otherwise). But so many people are posting about it, and even more, so many people are asking what I thought about it. I've never had so many people contact me out of the blue for the express purpose of hearing my thoughts. Not surprising, I suppose, all considered. But with all that, I guess it's time to post my first impressions, for the record.

So let's talk about THE DARK KNIGHT.

Okay. Here's the thing.

It's fucking amazing. Stunning, powerful, harrowing, haunting, and all other manner of adjectives abused by hack reviewers desperate to have their blurbs used on posters.

I could go on about everyone's performances in this film, virtually all of whom were fantastic. Seeing one of the greatest ham actors of my generation (this is a compliment), Gary Oldman, play the down-to-earth noble heart and humanity of Jim Gordon, the most realistic and grounded person in Batman's world period, was just wonderful. Maggie took a thankless and problematic role and fleshed it out in great ways. Michael Caine, we can watch you forever. Morgan Freeman, same thing (even if he was yet again playing, as one reviewer remarked, the "wise old black man"). Bale was excellent, even if his role suffered from the problem that plagued virtually all the Batman movies before BATMAN BEGINS: the hero being overshadowed by the villains. And the supporting cast, for that matter.

And yeah. Heath Ledger vanished completely. No trace of him remained. As many have remarked, that was the Joker.

Some are calling this film bloated, that a half-hour of streamlining could have truly made it a masterpiece, and I don't know how true that is. The only parts that come to mind is the scene in the garage with the "posers," if you know what I mean, and the subplot of the blackmailing employee, which were great and fun, but I don't know if they added anything to the heart of the story. I'll be wondering that upon repeat viewings, but I will say this: even the things that could have been cut were compelling. That's saying something.

No, upon first viewing, I have no complaints at all for any of that. The vast majority of the movie truly qualifies it at one of the greatest, if not the greatest, superhero film of all time*.

And yet, I cannot and likely will not ever be able to personally embrace THE DARK KNIGHT. All because of one specific aspect.

I'll give that one a whole post on its own, so let's hold off on discussion here until we get to that post. I mean, if you think you know what I'm talking about. I'm sure most of you have an idea, but chances are, you're only half right.



*Except how can one honestly compare this to, say, IRON MAN, which is another serious contender? That's the problem with the geek hyperbole of "best ____ ever!" You ultimately end up being forced to compare apples and oranges.

This could be a whole post in of itself, and maybe I'll address it if and when I write about the HULK movies, based around the following hypothosis that could come very handy in discussing these films: I think THE INCREDIBLE HULK was the better Hulk movie and the better comic book movie... but I firmly consider Ang Lee's HULK was the better movie.

a modest proposal to Christopher Nolan

Oh, also: I keep hearing people wondering, "How are they possibly going to top this?" I was wondering it to--and putting aside dryponder's compelling arguments as to how introducing Robin would fit into the Nolanverse--as of right now, there's only one major response:

THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.

It would be a bold move, if only because you'd either have to recast the bulk of the stars or seriously step up with convincing old age makeup effects. Also, they'd need to keep the newly-movie-giddy Frank Miller from being a bit too involved, if you know what I mean. But with WATCHMEN coming out, and on the virtual heels of THE DARK KNIGHT, it strikes me as not only logical, but essential.

Also, get Brad Dourif. He's the only actor I can possibly imagine up to the task of playing old Joker. He could take what Heath did and run with it, I have absolutely zero doubt in my mind. He is that good.

Short of that, I have no idea what they could possibly bring next. But I look forward to it.

and I'll whisper, "no."

Weirdly, enough, you know what just might be my favorite part of the WATCHMEN trailer?

The Smashing Pumpkins song.

You might think I'm insane. kali921 already raged about the song's inclusion bespoiling the trailer for the adaptation of one of the great graphic novels. I certainly understand this reaction. Others were even more pissed when they realized that the song in question, "The Beginning is the End is the Beginning," is--insult upon injury--the fucking theme song from BATMAN AND ROBIN. What the fuck, right? It's idiocy! It's tacky! It's sacrilege!

It's brilliant.

I should point out, it's not the original version of the song from BATMAN AND ROBIN, but rather a remix. A remix of the theme for the most infamous superhero film at all. And you if you don't think that's not deliberate and beautifully calculated, I urge you to turn your attention back to the nipples on Ozymandias' suit. Snyder has gone on record saying that's no coincidence.

It's a pitch-perfect touch that most people are completely missing. I love it.

Settin' the Woods on Fire: Prelude

Ladies and gentlemen, to whet your appetites for what is to come, may I humbly present mirthical and myself starring in SETTIN' THE WOODS ON FIRE: PRELUDE--

( Lazing on a Sund--er, *Friday* Afternoon! )