Let's immediately jump in this one. If you have not seen this movie and are reading this, what the fucking Christ on a pogo stick is wrong with you? Stop reading the self important blog of your nobody friend and go see this movie.
We've all heard the buzz behind The Dark Knight for months now. The production has been one of the most anticipated sequels ever. And why shouldn't it be? Batman Begins was not only just a good superhero movie but also a good film so naturally the film would be eagerly awaited. When Heath Ledger tragically died, the curiousity around the film only escalated: What would his final onscreen role be like? And while there is much to discuss on that front, we must all be careful not to let our sentimentality blind us from the full package that is The Dark Knight. There is so much to discuss in this one little film from all the characters to the very tone and feel of the movie itself. The Dark Knight is loaded to the brim.
Firstly, it is a wonderfully woven tapestry of madness and crime. The movie opens with a fantastic heist that does not even begin to fully communicate the downright anarchy that will soon rain down upon Gotham city. But that is still neither here nor there because The Dark Knight is far more than explosions and gunplay, and believe me, there is plenty of both. The Dark Knight is a crime drama with one of the best games of cat and mouse ever captured on film, only in this case the mouse is far more deadly. It is also a morality tale. At the center of this thread are not just Batman and Lt. Gordon but also Harvey Dent, Gotham's newest DA. These three men are some of the only real upstanding heroes in a town ever full of crime. And while I am not saying that Batman and his alter ego Bruce Wayne doesn't have his share of troubles and deep rooted issues, it is really Harvey Dent whose character arc is the most compelling and tragic. All three champions of justice undergo their own trials as they go about their vow to make Gotham safe. They seem to be able to handle anything. Anything except the unpredictable Joker...
So now we get to it: Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker. Is it really worth all of the buzz and Oscar talk that he is getting? Without a doubt. The Joker is such a finely crafted character that every time you see him on screen you will be as captivated as you are genuinely afraid of such a man. Certainly, The Joker will make you laugh but nothing he does is funny. The Joker is a beast of pure instinct and improvisation. He delights in brutality and revels in violence. He is a twisted genius whose only purpose is to drag everyone down to his level of wickedness. Ledger portrays the role in perfect harmony with the film's dark tone.
But it is not just Heath Ledger's moment to shine. The majority of the cast nails their characters with skilled aplomb. Christian Bale is Batman. His character holds a great deal of duality and weight to him, something other Batmans lacked (Michael Keaton came the closest before now). Bruce Wayne is a world weary man who constantly has to wear two masks: that of Batman and the even heavier one of a normal person. Bale shines more when he is not wearing the mask, during the moments when the consequences of his actions are exposed for all to see. That is not to discount his superhero chops. Bale's Batman is shrewd, daring, and a downright brutal fighter. Michael Caine is ever solid as Wayne's faithful butler Alfred. The best part about Caine's Alfred is just how much more self assured he is than any other portrayal of the character. He doesn't hesitate to berate his master and offer words of wisdom. He is Bruce's confidante and father figure, looking out for the overwhelmed vigilante with a quiet and composed love. Morgan Freeman does what he can with Lucius Fox. Freeman give the character just enough nuances, which is good since the character was a little flat in Batman Begins. This is remedied in The Dark Knight by giving just enough plot points involving Lucius and giving his character an actual, albeit small character arc. Indeed the only weak link in the cast is Ms. Maggie Gyllenhaal, who only phones in a passable performance as Rachel Dawes. One wonders is Katie Holmes could have done a better job if she was not too busy being Tom Cruises house slave. Probably just as crappy. Oh yes, Anthony Michael Hall shows up in a role that really could have been done by anyone as well.
Last but not least, I must mention Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. I cannot delve too much into detail here, but needless to say he portray the journey his character goes on much more than just skillfully. This film is just as much about him as it is about Batman and the Joker.
The film is dark. The screenplay is amazingly well done. Death and violence is commonplace with some major characters both put in downright agonizing situation and some being killed altogether. The Joker orchestrates a series of brutal events. Two Words: Magic Trick. You'll know what I'm talking about after you've seen the movie. Chris Nolan holds nothing back as he leads us deeper and deeper into the darkness with our heroes and villains. It does have some flaws: the movie is a little long and I thought there could have been better use of music is some scenes but that is not really too important.
Final Letter Grade: A+
Bottom Line: Go. See. It.
Ah, the summer action movie. Since the dawn of man there has not been a better definition of the term "glorious trainwreck". Like clockwork, each year directors, actors and production companies scramble to each get a slice of the wonderful pie that is the summer blockbuster. In a nation where 10% of students have ADD and where 60% of these students will continue to have the affliction throughout adulthood, this means a few things:
High octane action, gunplay, and explosions
Painful attempts to seem cool and badass
Ass
A light frosting of "story"
Enter Wanted, the latest foray into the cluttered junkyard of glorious train wrecks. It is a movie so self aware and so full of itself that my ticket came with a complementary vial of director Timur Bekmambetov's own semen, taken during one of the film's many preview screenings as he screamed "Mein Fuhrer, I can valk!". Wanted is an overly ambitious film to say the least and while it does manage to deliver on many levels, it also manages to roll the audience’s collective eye no more than two seconds after said inspired moments. This is a film for people who know nothing about film. This is a film for people who think Tim Burton is a good director. This is a film for people who think that just because a film strives to be offbeat and stylistic, it actually is. If loved Shoot em Up then you should hop on board.
Wanted tells the tale of one Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), a normal office worker with a shitty life. His fat boss Janice makes work a living hell, his best friend is fucking his girlfriend, and he suffers from horrible panic attacks. He's pretty much living out the American Dream. His life takes a twist when he gets caught up in a gunfight between two assassins, one of whom is the absolutely worthless Angelina Jolie. As it turns out, Wesley is the son of a master assassin and has inherited his father's talent for popping heads open with all the subtlety a bullet can deliver. He joins the Fraternity of Assassins and is assigned by its leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman) to assassinate a traitor.
The rest of the film is a cliche-fest that feels like a 12 year olds anime fan fiction. Predictable betrayals and revelations are presented as if no one had ever heard the quote "No. I am your father." But that's not why anyone bothered to go and see this movie anyway so why don't we just leave it at that?
Wanted's greatest strengths are the many moments in the film where it is actually funny. The early scenes of Wesley's day to day life are wonderful. A decidedly dry narration contrast with the downright shitty-ness that is Wesley's existence. Additionally, the minor characters in the film are just colorful enough to really add some spice. Unfortunately that is about it. That is not to say the acting is not good. McAvoy puts in a good showing as Wesley, capturing the initial loser his character is and transforming nicely into a time slowing, miracle working master assassin. Likewise, it is good to see Morgan Freeman play another criminal especially after recently seeing Lucky Number Slevin once again. However, one seems to get the feeling that anyone could have done the role and that Freeman is mostly used because many in the audience will snort all of their cinema-bar food from their noses once they get to hear him say "Mothafucka".
"But what of Little Angie Jolie?", one asks. What of her? I must have missed the memo where we all decided that she was talented. Is there anyone in the world who is more overrated that Ms. Jolie whose name is not "Jesus" or "Mohammed"? "But didn't she win an Oscar?", you say? What of it?! I've yet to see a good showing from this woman. Besides, her role in the movie is summed up by criteria #3 on my list above. Ass! You get to see her ass! That is all.
Also, when was it decided that all action scenes have to have painfully shaky camera work? I honestly blame Christopher Nolan and whoever the DP was for Batman Begins.
Overall, Wanted is a good movie to see if you really crave popcorn and hand guns. It is much like Smokin' Aces. It tries too hard to be cool. Ooooh, assassins! Ooooh, a chick whose name is Fox! Ooooh, another generic thing! Some funny moments and a stellar final action sequence do not save this movie from being sub par but they do make it just watchable enough.
Final Letter Grade: D-
Bottom Line: Flashy action scenes are a sight to behold, even as this movie cripples your brain with idiocy.
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