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THE DARK KNIGHT (Running Time: 150 min; Rated: PG-13)

FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS

Reviewed by Denise Castillón







NO JOKE! “THE DARK KNIGHT” IS NOT JUST ANOTHER COMIC BOOK MOVIE!

On top of intensely entertaining this summer’s movie-going audiences, the quality of The Dark Knight will delight discerning film lovers as well.

Christopher Nolan masterfully follows-up his film, Batman Begins, which established the dark origins of millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne’s disguised dual life as the crime-fighting Batman. His sequel progresses through the ripened storyline direction he co-wrote with David S. Goyer, and from his screenplay collaboration with brother, Jonathan Nolan.

The massive and action-packed opening scene introduces the viciously unscrupulous villain, “The Joker”, magnificently portrayed by Heath Ledger. The Oscar-talk, regarding Heath Ledger’s outstanding performance deserving a posthumous award for best actor, is not just hype.

Batman (CHRISTAIN BALE) and Lieutenant Jim Gordon (GARY OLDMAN) form a secret alliance to strike against escalating crime and their leaders. They soon include newly-elected District Attorney Harvey Dent (AARON ECKHART) in their plan to eliminate organized crime from Gotham City. Instead, the crime lords are unsettled by the arrival of brutal criminal mastermind dressed up like a freakish clown, “The Joker” (HEATH LEDGER). The intimidated gang leaders submit to the Joker’s nefarious agenda, which includes terrorizing the citizens of Gotham City, until Batman agrees to publicly unmask himself.

With her relationship now ended with Bruce Wayne, Rachel Dawes (now played by MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL), is presently romantically involved with her new boss, “The White Knight” Harvey Dent. The tough and strong-minded Assistant DA remains Bruce’s moral compass and loyal friend, despite her knowledge of his vigilante activities performed as Batman. His closest confidantes, Alfred (MICHAEL CAINE), and the ever-resourceful Lucius Fox (MORGAN FREEMAN), continue to mentor Bruce Wayne/Batman as he evolves into “The Dark Knight”.

Beyond the main plot, there are several other minor storylines with distinctive characters, ranging from corrupt cops to a criminal leader, who unexpectedly demonstrates a courageous act of humanity. Nevertheless, the film’s running time of two and a half hours speeds dizzying along.

Now almost commonplace in this year’s movie releases are disparaging references to contemporary U.S. politics. As for The Dark Knight, current governmental wire-tapping policies can easily seem inferred, when Batman enhances Lucius Fox’s sonar device to enable visual surveillance of Gotham City through each of its citizen’s wireless phone.

THE DARK KNIGHT’S dramatic opening title sequence of as well as other major action sequences were filmed with IMAX® cameras. This is the first feature to mix both traditional 35 mm and large-format in one film.

"The Dark Knight" is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. BATMAN was created by Bob Kane. Story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Screenplay written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Cinematography directed by Wally Pfister. Production designed by Nathan Crowley. Visual effects supervised by Nick Davis. Special effects supervised by Chris Corbould. Costumes designed by Lindy Hemming.

Produced by Charles Roven, Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan. Executive produced by Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull.

Distributed worldwide, by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theatres and IMAX.