I finally got around to seeing The Dark Knight over the holiday weekend, and I have to say, I wasn’t bowled over. Despite being completely mesmerized for the past year by the images of Heath Ledger’s depraved Joker, I don’t make it to the theater as often as I’d like these days (two-year-old daughter) and sometimes have to wait, even for movies I really want to see, until they come out on DVD. Maybe that was my mistake. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoyed The Dark Knight, and I was not disappointed in the slightest by Ledger’s freakish, lip-smacking fiend. But at the same time, I was let down given the movie’s gargantuan box office haul, the almost universal critical praise, and the Oscar buzz surrounding it and its fallen star. I could see Ledger taking Supporting Actor, but while I haven’t yet seen all the other Oscar contenders this year, I would be a bit surprised if The Dark Knight took Best Picture.
By the time I finally sat down last week to see The Dark Knight, I’d already heard the arguments that this very good movie is a great work of art because it reflects the chaos in our real world today — corrupt politicians, brazen villains, heroes who sometimes seem like villains, and so on. And perhaps it does appeal in that way on some level (though it’s certainly not the first or best film to do so), but the movie also kind of drags in the second half thanks to theTwo-Face storyline, which makes the running time at least 30 minutes too long,and Christian Bale might make a good Bruce Wayne, but he’s no more than an adequate Batman.
Mostly, I think this movie was successful –- as well as hugely popular –- because it featured a character that we couldn’t take our eyes off of played by an actor who recently died way too young.Before it appeared on a single screen this summer, the movie was already larger-than-life because of Ledger’s passing, and six months of the hype machine working at full steam had no doubt set my expectations way too high. So maybe this really is an Oscar-worthy movie and I just need to hire a babysitter more often and catch movies earlier and with less context. But if I’m to be honest, I was disappointed with The Dark Knight and hope for more from this year’s other Best Picture contenders.
What about you PopWatchers? Is The Dark Knight worthy of a Best Picture Oscar? Would it have become the sensation it is had Ledger not died just after shooting it? What movies disappointed you after a massive build-up had set your expectations too high?
More on ‘The Dark Knight’:
Review: ‘The Dark Knight’
‘The Dark Knight’ nabs biggest opening ever
‘The Dark Knight’: Will you see it again?
‘The Dark Knight’: Oscar worthy?
Eddie Murphy to play the Riddler?
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thank god! i thought i was the only one. while i thought it was a great, entertaining flick, i wish i coulda seen it without all the talk of oscar noms (before the film even came out) and heath ledger. i felt like there was no way it could ever live up to the hype. and like i said, i thought it was good and heath ledger was too, i felt like i was somehow being rude to the dead by saying, ‘yeah, he was good, but i wonder what i would have thought had he *not* died and praise was not lavishly heaped upon him thusly’ when everyone else was falling all over themselves to talk about how great the film was. i dunno.
I totally agree. I only wanted to see this movie because of Heath Ledger. I didn’t even see Batman Begins! While I loved Heath, I was completey underwhelmed with the movie as a whole. I was glad I didn’t pay ticket price for it, and was able to keep myself busy while watching it at home.
I think this is the worst PopWatch I have ever read. I watched movie 4 times now and still think it is amazing.
I totally agree. Although I liked “The Dark Knight” a lot and think it’s a very good movie, I don’t think it tells us jack about the deeper meanings of violence, etc., and I thought it was incredibly overlong — I kept thinking that it was two great movies mushed together to make one good one. Heath Ledger wasn’t overhyped; his Joker was everything I’d heard it would be. But there’s no way this was the best picture of 2008 or even close. It wasn’t even the best superhero movie I saw this year. (That would be “Iron Man.”)
I might agree that the movie dragged a bit at the end. However, comparing a movie on your TV to a movie on the big screen is a big difference. There is a reason why so many people are willing to spend $10+ for the experience of seeing the movie on a larger than life screen.
Yes, Heath’s death had a lot to do with the hype. But I think it still would have been a sensation had he not died. I think he would have been able to write his own ticket in Hollywood after playing the Joker. About the Oscar noms, I don’t know. I know I’d rather see TDK nominated than some of the crap they’ve chosen in the past.
I liked dark knight.heath did an amazing job! by far my fave comic movie besides iron man. spiderman is just too long.
the new batman series is great…
1 – Totally agree with your assessment
2 – Don’t bother with getting a sitter – after three years of skipping the theatre (toddler), I saw three movies this fall – they were expensive and loud, and the bathrooms were dirty. I’ll stick with Netflix.
I completely disagree. Granted, I saw it opening night, but I had watched the trailers multiple times, read every article, and counted down the days until the opening. No movie could meet my high expectations.
Except this one. It surpassed it.
Well the hype did not ruin it for me. I just did not understand where all the praise came from. If Mr Ledger had not passed away (may he rest in peace) I think people would have objectively see this movie has redundant (cath the joker, joker escapes, catch the joker, the joker escapes), too loud and complicated for nothing. And badly acted by Mr Bale.
Whoever said that this film should get Best Picture has to have their head examined. Heath should get nominated for the Joker. I dont think anyone can deny that, Hype or not. I think the film was just fine in length. Bale is a good Bruce and Bat. What would you have the guy do have a voice over that would seem fake. It always easy to be a critic.
You’re not alone. I, however, did see it without all the Oscar hype. I saw it in the summer about two weeks after it came out. I really enjoyed it–Ledger was fantastic, it was a really well done action movie, even though I remember saying it was still just a little too long for what the movie was.
Now that it’s become even more “larger than life,” as you say, it’s become almost stifling. Message boards, such as these, are drowned with comments like “TDK is the best ever and any award show that doesn’t agree is a joke.” Those comments are a joke because most of them come from people who haven’t seen all the other contenders. I haven’t either, but from what I have seen, Milk, Changeling, Slumdog Millionaire, and Rachel Getting Married are all superior films, which makes it 5th so far on my list without Doubt, Benjamin Button, Revolutionary Road, and Frost/Nixon.
It was a very good, entertaining film, but I completely agree in your analysis of its latest hype resurgence.
best movie of 08
They really should retitle EW “Hacks without writing talent muse on their subjective experiences with Entertainment”. Seriously… why even publish something as pointless and stupid as this?
You obviously didn’t undertsand what the moview means to those who grew up in the world of Batman and Gotham city. It is more than obvious that you are a woman and you were probably getting up every 5minutes to tend to your daughter so you missed intrigal plot lines. I doubt you’ve seen Batman Begins and barely any other superhero movies and it shows. Your editor shouldn’t have given you this assignment b/c it was way beyond your potential and should have put on the DVD release of ‘The Women’ – which I’m sure you loved and will be astonished when it doesn’t get any oscar nods.
I personally think that every ounce of praise that Heath Ledger received is well deserved. His portrayal of the Joker was already getting major buzz even before his death, and I can’t think of another role where an actor has completely disappeared in his role to create something so iconic, especially when another actor had already made the role his own.
I do, however, agree with your take on The Dark Knight as a whole. I do think it’s a very engaging movie, but does run too long, and would have been better suited with just one villain. I understand that turning Harvey Dent into Two Face was supposed to be more symbolic in the film than actually terrifying, but I think those extra 30 minutes could have been reworked to feature more of the Joker, or Batman/Bruce Wayne. All in all, I think it’s the best “Superhero” movie so far, but still doesn’t deserve a Best Picture Oscar.
I agree. I was expecting to be blown away but was a little disappointed. It was a good movie but I actually thought the first one was much better. I will say Heath Ledger truly was amazing. He was riveting.
I usually don’t go nuts over superhero movies. I attribute it to my love for period pieces, independents and grand epics. Well that and not having boy parts. I saw Iron Man because of my respect for Robert Downey, Jr. and the praise the movie received and I just didn’t see what all the fuss was about. Similarly, I rented The Dark Knight to see Ledger’s (an actor I’ve always admired) final performance. I was absolutely blown away. After seeing Ledger’s performances, I know he was the best actor of his generation which makes his passing all the more tragic. Otherwise, I think I admired the movie because it wasn’t your “typical” superhero flick. It was deeper and unexpected. They even (gratefully) killed off a main character! The performances were great, the action breathtaking and the score was top notch. Not to mention how awesome and clear the blu-ray DVD looked on my Bravia flatscreen. I didn’t believe the hype either but I was fully converted. One of the best pictures of the year.
I agree as well. Gary Oldman and Heath Ledger were great – no doubt – but I really felt like I was watching a movie being filmed on a set. I didn’t get lost and feel its soul. I’m glad other people loved it though!
I totally agree. I saw the film in the theatre and really didn’t enjoy it. For the life of me I can’t understand why it became so huge.
i think the problem is your an idiot, but thats just me
Thank you, Andrew Speller, dan, and What?!?! for proving my point about ridiculous comments better than I could.
Yall are krayze. The Two-Face story was the sleeper of the film! It told the story of a man who see’s the good in a corrupt city and has hopes to change in but confronts a man who makes hime realize his efforts are very futile and thus drives him insane. Great movie and you have to look past the superhero element to see the deeper meaning. Plus the Joker was trying to make every realize how silly it is to live by rules. He was ten steps ahead of Batman and the police in everything he did. Brilliant movie…
While I’m not sure whether the movie as a whole should be nominated for an Oscar, Heath Ledger should get a nomination for his performance. I loved the movie and was not disappointed with it except that I thought Harvey Dent’s turnaround was a little too swift. I could see him being bitter and angry with Gordon because of the corrupt policeman, but it was a little unbelievable to me that he would want to hurt his wife and kids.
It’s a great film. I actually found Slumdog Millionaire slightly over-hyped. Don’t get me wrong, I found it quite good, but not the masterpiece many believe it to be.
I think it’s good enough to be considered and nominated for Best Picture, but I think one of the dramas will win, like “Benjamin Button”. I do think Heath Ledger has to win Best Supporting Actor. I’m no critic, but that was one of the best acting tours de force I’ve ever seen.
you shouldn’t talk if you didnt see in in the theaters. i think what made the dark knight so memorable for me was not just because it was an amazing film, which it was, and it wasnt just because Ledger created the most memorable screen character of the year or the decade, which he did, its because in the theatre it was a MOVIE EXPERIENCE! i was there on opening day in a sold out theatre where everyone was stunned by the epic scope of the picutre.. we were yelling at the screen and fired up and cheering nonstop when ever ledger was on or when Gordon returned from the dead! So dont judge a movie unless youve taken the time to really experience it..
I try to avoid getting on the hype machine for anything that I’m looking forward to seeing simply becuase i know if the expectation builds to much no matter how good the finished product it won’t live up to my pre-established expectation (sort of like a blind date?) Memo to self – avoid all things Star Trek till the movie comes out.
I think the writer just has a case of backlash against a popular movie because it’s the chique thing to do. I waited until the 2nd weekend to see it. For fear of being overhyped, I tempered my expectations, and I thought the movie was fantastic. I went back the next week to see it on IMAX, and was even more blown away. I stupidly went to see Mummy 3 instead of see Dark Knight a third time, but now I have it on DVD, so I’m happy.
Mike, I agree 100% with every word you wrote! Glad someone said it.