Emily FinlayThe Dark Knight
September 1st 2008 03:09
I deliberately waited to see this film because I wanted to see if it was worth all the hype surrounding it. My verdict? When there is someone as brilliant as Heath Ledger in the film, everything is going to look just that little bit better...no matter how dodgy it is.
For starters, in the history of Batman movies, there has never been a well-written, well-developed female lead. Their dialogue has always been glib and totally lacking in depth...So with such crappy material to work with, is anyone really surprised that even a quirky and charismatic Maggie Gylenhall falls flat? When you also consider the amateurish make up (and the rule of thumb in film make up is, that if anyone comments on it, you've done a truly feral job), and also the equally garish lighting, and also a director who clearly has NO IDEA how to direct female actors, is it any wonder that Ms Gylanhall has been panned by critics? Anyway, even at her worst Maggie is 100 times better than unsymmetrical whinging Katie Holmes.
Bruce Wayne in this film has not got the same cheeky spark and charisma that was present in Batman Begins. If this was a choice to attempt to show that Bruce has become jaded by his heroic activites, it was not executed well. Bruce actually appeared bored and unmotivated. And I am confused as to why he suddenly has a "Bruce Wayne" voice and a "Batman" voice. I am equally confused as to why said voice has a prominant lisp. Was Bruce Wayne an avid fan of Elmer Fudd? I know not.
What can I say about the incredible Heath Ledger that has not already been said? He makes something as simple as using hand sanitiser give you goosebumps. Enough said.
For starters, in the history of Batman movies, there has never been a well-written, well-developed female lead. Their dialogue has always been glib and totally lacking in depth...So with such crappy material to work with, is anyone really surprised that even a quirky and charismatic Maggie Gylenhall falls flat? When you also consider the amateurish make up (and the rule of thumb in film make up is, that if anyone comments on it, you've done a truly feral job), and also the equally garish lighting, and also a director who clearly has NO IDEA how to direct female actors, is it any wonder that Ms Gylanhall has been panned by critics? Anyway, even at her worst Maggie is 100 times better than unsymmetrical whinging Katie Holmes.
What can I say about the incredible Heath Ledger that has not already been said? He makes something as simple as using hand sanitiser give you goosebumps. Enough said.
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Comment by Ben Whitcomb
Extreme Critic