The new Batman movie will leave no one wondering, "Why so serious?"
"The Dark Knight," the second in Christopher Nolan's Batman series, surpasses even its predecessor as not only a dark look into morality, but simply, impressive entertainment.
After the advent of his alter ego in "Batman Begins," Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) still suffers the responsibility of being Batman. He finds both aid and competition in the new district attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), who is vigilant against organized crime but also has stolen the heart of Wayne's love, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal).
Meanwhile, the Joker (Heath Ledger) targets Batman and the government of Gotham City to incite mayhem among its citizens. Both humorous and horrifying, every twitch of this new villain has a creepy resonance. For a character that claims his motives are akin to "a dog chasing cars," Ledger's Joker is the most satisfying and complex character.
For a movie based on a comic book, Nolan pushes for increasing realism and depth in every aspect of the plot. This realism does not betray the original tone of the Batman franchise but rather makes it more appealing to a wider audience.
This Batman interpretation emphasizes the political and philosophical themes that are already present in comic books without being heavy-handed. As we are faced with burning fire trucks, corrupted cops and a hero unsure of his own responsibilities, the movie constantly questions what it is to be a hero.
This is not to say the movie is all gloom and meditation. The action arrives in a relentless stream that keeps the pacing light. Shots of Chicago as Gotham City provide the perfect backdrop for complex chase sequences and fights.
The introduction of a new villain was perhaps needed, but it felt forced after the climactic confrontation with the Joker.
Christopher Nolan's new Batman film is about expanding the comic genre to be something more than an accumulation of stereotypes. "The Dark Knight" pushes all bounds of formulaic cinema to create a film that is both shocking and inspiring.
In an exchange with his butler, Alfred, Bruce Wayne says Batman has no limits. As "The Dark Knight" surpasses expectations for the summer blockbuster, it seems Nolan's series doesn't have any limits either.
