Why So Serious?

Taking a break from the hum-drum of what feels like a welcomed lull in the campaign, I figured I’d weigh in on ‘Dark Knight’, the latest offering from the Batman franchise. It released Friday nationwide, and in larger metropolitan areas; right at midnight. It was the largest midnight opening ever, and is quickly approaching the same stature over the weekend.

I remember seeing the original Batman movie in 1989. Michael Keaton was the caped crusader then, and only a few fleeting flashbacks to ‘Mr. Mom’ hit me during the span of the movie. Keaton’s version was a mix between the original comic version and the occasionally silly television version from the late-60s staring Adam West – fun for the whole family!

This Batman is no such thing. First of all, it must have slid by with its PG-13 rating. Certainly the only saving grace between it and the dreaded ‘R’ was the conspicuous absence of profanity and sex and the fact that almost none of the violence focused on blood or showed a dead victim. This is one film where the ‘13’ part of the rating should be observed and honored; the images and themes are probably too much for younger eyes.

The film itself is very good. The story is deep and complex and holds up to the scrutiny of discerning eyes and tastes. It purposely blurs the line between good and bad and challenges Batman’s status as a hero. Actually, this theme is my only criticism of the film. While the dichotomy and confusion of the issue is a justified theme of the film, they often go to great lengths to remind the viewer that this is intended. It has sort of a ‘laugh track’ effect. By the end of the film, you want to scream at the screen, “okay! We get it!”

The first thing that strikes you about the film is that it is very dark. This of course, is intentional. Batman is not a hero after all… see what I mean? Very quickly we see Batman in action confronting some of the thugs that remain from his conquests in the first film with Christian Bale. While the scene was exciting and intense, you quickly forget about it as soon as Heath Ledger as The Joker appears on screen. Maintaining the dark feel and quick pace of the film is an amazing mosical score that sets and keeps the rapid-fire pace.

My first thought upon seeing Ledger was, “oh my gosh, he’s dead.” It seems so impossible because Ledger is so alive in this role. After seeing Jack Nicholson as the joker way back, many of us didn’t see a need to ever cast the part again. It had been perfected. Tough to imagine that we were wrong, but we were. Ledger perfected this character for this film. Batman becomes secondary and almost an intrusion when he’s onscreen. The only time the film even remotely drags are the periods in between scenes with Ledger.

I’m not going to waste your time by segmenting or summarizing the storyline. It is a good, believable and well made film. Without Ledger as the Joker it would be very good and would be worth the ten bucks to see it. However, Heath Ledger is the film. His perfection makes it as close to perfect as it can be. There is nothing about his performance to change or criticize. Even the small details of his performance are called for and seem absolutely required. From his greasy hair to the way he licks his lips, this Joker is perfected. With all due respect to Jack, now we can retire this role.

The buzz circulating about Ledger winning the Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ is just. He will almost certainly be nominated – there’s no way to leave him off that list. Also, Hollywood is a tremendously sentimental place that would much rather honor a departed pensive artist over someone who can win one down the road. The big problem with Ledger in this role; the only problem is that it is so early in the Oscar season. Few summer blockbusters are remembered when the academy votes. I do believe that Ledger’s performance will change all that this year. It is impossible to forget and so worthy of remembering.