Guys, I have a question:

Do I need to see Batman Begins before watching the Dark Knight??

Got back pretty late and we lost power last night at home...

TDK has to be the most nihilistic tentpole film ever released in Hollywood. By the end credits, it's down right depressing (hide the knives kids).

Now that's not to say it isn't brill and fab and exciting. But The Dark Knight would also make the Grim Reaper sleep with a night light on.

I'm most concerned where the Nolan brothers and WB even go from here in the next film. I'd almost prefer they stop. I don't a version of the The Penguin that molests kids or a Catwoman that steals organs instead of jewels.

A+

But for the love of all that is holy, inject 5% more levity in The Dark Knight II.

The one thing i was thinking about when i stepped out of the movie is something you just said. Standalone, TDk is just .... i mean .. i'm speechless about what it is. But where does this leave the 3rd? Penguin? Riddler? Bane? noneof those villains will work. Batman is a vigilante outlaw now and to keep the story interesting, he can't be seen battling mob bosses or gimmicky villains interested in him only ... we need Gotham to be in danger again which is something Joker did .. he really put the stakes up. I can't see the sequel working without someone like Freeze .. i really can't. i honestly have no idea what villain direction they'll take. its obvious the next film is going to be about batman's struggle with fighting crime on 2 fronts while saving his own ass. i also think that TDk gave some good glimpses at batman becoming a paranoid egotistical bastard and hope they keep working and building that.

if people had an issue with his voice, i think its just going to keep getting worse. the character is meant to be demonic to instill some fear into people and hopefully, they'll keep working that angle.


LOYAL come online. we must talk TDK.

its tough to believe something till you .. you know .. go out and watch it.

This is a review thread so by golly here's a review. The Dark Knight is not your average superhero movie, nor is it a better than average superhero movie. It transcends the superhero genre and grounds it in a sick, vile, corrupt world that can, at times, be a mirror to our own. The Nolans have taken what they view as our weaknesses/flaws as a society and through the guise of an extremely flawed superhero/vigilante show us that in order for good to prevail we must at times do unpleasant things. Things we find uncomfortable, things that are shaded in nuances of gray instead of black and white, things we don't want to but know we must do. Oh and it kicks ass.

I really was beginning to wonder if this could ever live up to the hype its getting and I can honestly say it surpassed it. While not a perfect film it doesn't have any major or big minor flaws, just a few very minor nit picky things that are easily compensated for. And in no way did this feel like a 2 1/2hr film, the story was so engaging it pulls you in and doesn't let go until the end. The scoring and sound mix were great, but especially for the Joker. It just puts you on the edge of your seat everytime you hear it because you know something bad is going to happen. Speaking of the Joker I'm going to jump on the Heath Ledger bandwagon because he owned every inch of that role and deserves to be recognized for it. His Joker is the best one of them all period no question no doubt. Eckhart was a good choice for Harvey Dent and Oldman really shined as Gordon. Caine and Freeman turned in solid work as well, while Bale is finally comfortable playing Batman.

Grade A+