Official Dark Knight discussion ***SPOILERS***

[Bodhesatva]

Heath Ledger really was excellent in this movie. Simply amazing. I liked the aesthetic the film presented, as well, as it managed to fit the Batman ethos without appearing too cartoonish -- which is what the original creator intended.

 

The movie as a whole was heavy handed, which was disappointing but expected for action movies that try and break out of archetypical schlock (you can't stray too far, after all). The symbolic meaning of The Joker went from subtle and well done to obvious to explicitly and directly stated; again referencing the archetypical schlock, I assume a movie of this nature cannot put such metonomy in a completely understated manner, simply because it will alienate those who came to simply have a fun time.

In addition, Dent's pscyhological breakdown wasn't believable: going from good to insane is believable under duress, but insane to evil is not. The decline was handled too swiftly and abruptly, clearly to suit the director's desire to flip the film into a philosophical didacticism on the nature of human resolve and ethic.

These complaints don't mean I didn't like it: I did, particularly and especially because of Ledger's performance.