Since we left Korea for the summer, we didn't see many movies in the theater. We did plan on seeing one movie this summer, The Dark Knight. Once and a while you have to support the arts.
I saw about 5 movies by Christopher Nolan. Five of them were at least good. That's the best record I've known a director to have. (Shymalan had three before he starting flushing them down the crapper.)
I'll do the disclaimer first. If you thought Batman in Batman Begins was even a little scary, you won't like this. The Joker is the antithesis of Batman, and is therefore quite frightening. No wonder he gave Heath nightmares.
That being said, Heath Ledger knew what he was doing. He brought depth to a character we are meant to know nothing about. His Joker is even funny at times, in a sociopathic kind of way.
Some loudmouth on the radio said Ledger's Joker is the most memorable villain since Hannibal Lector. Loudmouth was right.
A lot of the focus is on the Joker and his view on society. He's a true sociopath, which makes him the most frightening villain of all. At one point he taunts someone, "What are you going to threaten me with?" The worst villain can't be bribed or threatened.
This contrasts well with Batman as someone doing the right thing, yet refusing to see himself as a hero.
I'll stop talking about the plot now because spoilers are the devil.
If you don't enjoy comic book movies that much, you can at least enjoy the performances. Even Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine continue to kick butt in their supporting roles.
I won't use the "If you see just one movie this summer, see this one" line. I will say I'm glad we made that choice and weren't disappointed. It was worth the $13. Of course, that wasn't counting gas, but you can't be too picky.
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