131 replies to this topic

[Steel Samurai]

So, just came back from seeing a midnight showing with tseb and nameless . . . I am speechless, at the moment. Yeah. More thoughts after I sleep.

[Tseb]

So brilliant!

Ledger was amazing. It was really weird watching it going "he never saw the premier". But he did such an amazing job.

Edited by Tseb, 18 July 2008 - 10:02 AM.

[nameless]

Afreakinmazing it wassss soooo good i thought it wouldnt end just kept going and going and then bam the credits and your like what the heck i want more no wait i dont, i want a nother movie please make a nother movie!!!!!!!

[Twinrova]

I am speechless, at the moment. Yeah. More thoughts after I sleep.

Agreed. Heath Ledger outdid himself.

[Chukchi Husky]

I haven't even seen Batman Begins yet except for a couple of scenes. I don't think I'll be able to watch The Dark Knight until it comes out on DVD (Everyone I know only likes the Batman series from the sixties).

[Poore]

Okay. So. Last night I attended a midnight showing of The Dark Knight. I then immediately attended a 3:00 a.m. showing on Imax. Even though I had just seen the movie, the second showing still gave me chills. The Dark Knight is a great movie. Not a great Batman movie, not a great comic book movie, just a great movie. Period. I've seen it twice in theaters today, and I already want to go see it again.

[Green Goblin]

honestly, I can say without a shadow of a doubt. Heith Ledger's Joker is now the joker that all others will be held up to. Jack Nicholson has been usurped. The entire movie had me on edge. Genunely thrilling, visually gritty and chilling, and written like a genuine thriller movie. Heither Ledger's Joker is now honestly the most frightening psycho in all of motion pictures. I rank him ABOVE Hannibal Lecter.

[SteveT]

Point of order: Caesar Romero and Mark Hamil were BOTH better Jokers than Jack.

[Poore]

UPDATE: I'm going to see it again tonight at 10:50.

This will be the third time I've seen it today.

[Tseb]

Obviously Poore hates it.

[Green Goblin]

Point of order: Caesar Romero and Mark Hamil were BOTH better Jokers than Jack.

can't speak for Cesar Romero (don't remember too much about the oldschool Batman), but I agree with the Mark Hamil.

[SteveT]

Youtube to the rescue! Campy, but that's not Romero's fault.

[CID Farwin]

Still....dazed from...movie.

Best....movie.....ever.

Heath Ledger....amazing. And Joker....psychotic.

movie....so long....yet...so good.

need....to watch....again.

[Poore]

Yeah. Still awesome the third time 'round. In fact, every time I watch it, I enjoy it a little more. This film is very well put together, and the more you see it, the more you start to notice the attention to detail, the subtle undertones of much of the dialog, and the insinuations of future events, both within the movie and extending into the sequel.

One thing that hit me really hard during the third viewing was the scene where Rachel gives Alfred the letter for Bruce. As she leaves, she and Alfred say goodbye, unshed tears in their eyes, and embrace. The first time through, you don't really notice it. But when you know that Rachel's about to die, it makes the scene incredibly heart-wrenching, and I'm fairly certain that this was intentional. There are more moments like this throughout the film, and each time I see it I notice more. Nolan directed a film that merits many viewings and just keeps getting better with each time you see it.

[Steel Samurai]

Notes after second viewing: While I'm still not completely satisfied with the mask design, I think they're finally capturing the essence of Batman, the soul that was missing from the other movies (excluding begins, of course) The glowing eyes were a nice touch, though I think they should've used them a bit more and toned down the glow. For me, the fact that you could see Batman's eyes was a major downfall of all of the earlier live action versions (obviously not as big of a deal in Begins)

Two Face/Harvey Dent's execution was brilliant, and completely believable. A far better origin story than in TAS (not that that one wasn't good) I also liked that they had a new take on the appearance of the scarred side of his face.

Maggie Gyllenhaal was, as I expected excellent. Normally I hate it when they change actors in the middle of a series, but in this case it was well worth it. She was far more believable, and I just wish we'd been able to see what she could've done if she'd gotten the part in the first one. Katie Holmes' character was boring.

And, finally, Ledger. If ever there was a part which was so flawless in it's execution that it was worth the actor's life, this was it. I'm not sure whether it was worth his life, but that was, hands down, the best 2 1/2 hours of acting I have ever seen, bar nothing. The interesting thing was, though, this was not the Joker from the comics. Mark Hamill's Joker was amazing because you saw the Joker on TAS and immediately realized that that was exactly how you had always imagined the Joker sounding. Ledger's Joker though . . . this was the Joker that could actually be, that it was conceivable that might become a reality. This wasn't the Joker from the comics, this was something far more frightening. Obviously. I will be looking forward to a new Batmobile though. While that one was cool for an intro vehicle, something a bit more . . . bat-like will be nice.

One issue I had with the general plotline of the film was the fact that Batman's very existence is based around the fact that every criminal below the top needs to be afraid of him. Not just "Oh dear, quick, the Batman's coming, get a gun." but "OH MY GOD THE BATMAN'S . . .". To that end, the cape needed to be twice as long, and the shine from the armor killed. He needs to be able to disappear and reappear even in a moonlit setting (though they did make decent use of him hiding just outside the light in several scenes. I was very, very impressed by the brutal questioning he did with both Maroni and the Joker, the direction was brilliant on both those, capturing perfectly the fact that he's not afraid to seriously injure criminals.

So, what are thoughts on a sequel? I was trying to think of which villains they could use, and really the only ones with a realistic enough backstory are Catwoman and the Penguin. Which would suck, because they already did that. Bane would be a possibility, but he is a little ridiculous. A return of Ra's Ah would be amazing. Riddler wouldn't work well I don't think.

[SteveT]

I think that Two Face might be around for the sequel. I'm just not convinced he died.

Reasoning:

1) Joker, Gordan, and Batman all faked their death at some point in the movie...I sense a trend.

2) Nolan respects that Batman doesn't kill people (I know, I know, the death can easily be called accidental--except that Batman doesn't have accidents.

3) About half an hour before Two Face died was the "this fall won't kill me" scene. Two Face had a shorter drop.

Also, as far as villain's I'd like to see in a future film...Mad Hatter! Make him a schizophrenic hypnotist serial killer ("Oh, go jump off a bridge"), give him a sweet hat, and you're set.

Edited by SteveT, 19 July 2008 - 07:40 AM.

[Masamune]

Killer Croc would make for a good secondary villain. But if you want a main villain, you need someone who can get into Batman's head. If you got enough special effects budget, Clayface with a reworked origin story could be a downright nasty villain.

The suggestion that Two Face could be alive does hold some merit, I suppose. Joker DID survive the movie and even though he hinted about them continuing their rivalry forever, they'd have a hard time finding anyone who could match Ledger's performance.

[darthsauron]

I caught the midnight opening, had to go to work all day Friday and am now taking my nephew to see it this afternoon. I agree with Steel Samurai that the mask still needs some work. I have a few nitpicks with the movie, but aside from that it's an amazing, brilliant, jarring movie. Easily the best comic book movie ever.


I have only one thing to say...IRON WHO?!?

As for the next one, I've already cast William H. Macy as the Ventriloquist. Catwoman should make an appearance (but I can't decide who would play her). I'd also like to see Talia introduced. (maybe played by Penelope Cruz?)

I wouldn't mind seeing a freaky-ass horrifying version of Man-Bat. But he might be a little out of place within the Nolanverse. Just no more Penquin. Please. Seriously.

[Green Goblin]

I think that Two Face might be around for the sequel. I'm just not convinced he died.

Reasoning:

1) Joker, Gordan, and Batman all faked their death at some point in the movie...I sense a trend.

2) Nolan respects that Batman doesn't kill people (I know, I know, the death can easily be called accidental--except that Batman doesn't have accidents.

3) About half an hour before Two Face died was the "this fall won't kill me" scene. Two Face had a shorter drop.

Also, as far as villain's I'd like to see in a future film...Mad Hatter! Make him a schizophrenic hypnotist serial killer ("Oh, go jump off a bridge"), give him a sweet hat, and you're set.

I agree with that, honestly. The entire time I see him laying there, I was thinking "isn't that a shorter drop than the one that INJURED Maroni??"

I honestly think Mad Hatter or the Riddle would be good to go into. Awhile ago, Necro and I were discussing who would be a good riddler and while I was contemplating Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith), Necro came up with the perfect person who could play him. David Tennant (Barty Crouch Jr. from the Goblet of Fire) . Sure enough, about a week later, the actor expresses interest in playing the role, should he be asked :lol

If they did do the Riddler, they have to do him justice this time around, not make him a Joker 2.0 like in Forever.
Have him calm, cool, collected and speaking in riddles. Not flailing around like......well....like only Jim Carrey can XD

[TheAvengerLever]

The movie was AWESOME. I had a lot of nerdgasms. Two Face's plotline was excellently played out, reminded me of The Godfather and other crime noir films. The Joker was orgasmic. All of his scenes, especially the many face offs against Batman, were an amazing psychological action thrillride.

Gary Oldman's Jim Gordon is loveable, and he's one of my favorite characters in both of the new films.

Everyone in the theatre clapped at Jim Gordon's heroic reappearance. Also, I was creeped out by the fake Batman video tape the Joker made. Just unnerving. Like watching The Poughkeepsie Tapes all over again.

As far as villains go, someone should give The Scarecrow the screentime he deserves. Cillian Murphy plays him excellently. Him and/or the Mad Hatter, with his obsession with Alice in Wonderland. I couldn't see The Riddler in the Nolanverse.

Better yet, bring in The Reaper. The only other good incarnation of that character was in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Or even Holiday or the Hangman. Someone from those eighties comics. Cause those were good characters.

Edited by TheAvengerButton, 19 July 2008 - 03:54 PM.

[Masamune]

David Tennant would be a brilliant Riddler. That's just genius.

[TheAvengerLever]

On the "death" of Harvey Dent, my sister and I were talking about it and she theorized that maybe he isn't really dead, and he's faking it. I argued that him coming back would ruin a whole lot of stuff that Batman has started and that it would cause way too much problems but she argued that if he ever came back, maybe Gotham City wouldn't know it was Dent, but would just call him by the nickname Two Face.

[~~*Blondie*~~]

so i went and saw the movie yesterday, and i must say that was one of the funniest movies i have seen in a long time. especially the part where Nessa blatantly notices the Victoria Secret bag. in like one scene.

[TheAvengerLever]

DOES NOT COMPUTE

[Chikara Nadir]

so i went and saw the movie yesterday, and i must say that was one of the funniest movies i have seen in a long time. especially the part where Nessa blatantly notices the Victoria Secret bag. in like one scene.

I know, I don't know whether to feel more like a geek or a girly girl right now. On the one hand, I notice that the mayor is one of The Others from Lost. On the other hand, the Victoria's Secret bag was obvious to me (someone was carrying it while running in the crowds of people escaping the vicinity of the hospital, I believe).

As for the movie? Fantastic. Nice twists...and by that I mean that I was never 100% sure what was going to happen next. Hellboy II disappointed me to no end because everything was so predictable, and The Hulk just...didn't really have twists to begin with for me. Not saying The Hulk was bad...just that he's no Batman.

They've done it again. I'm not sure this one will hold as special a place in my heart as Batman Begins, but purely because the first was filled with the angst of his attempting to accept the fate of his parents and himself. This one was great, mind you. However, the ending leaves me painfully eager for the third installment, wherein the city really will be out to bring him down.

Also, smart of them to never really directly show what Gordon's daughter looks like. Perfect in case this time next decade the series is still going and they find the need for a new Alicia Silverstone...

Ooh! And has anyone noticed that Christian Bale's Imdb page has him rumored as the next Robin Hood? Can't stop portraying him as he beyond-the-law caped crusader, can they?

And as far as future villains go...I want Poison Ivy more than anything, but I acknowledge the unlikelyhood of her fitting into the Nolanverse. Though I agree that David Tennant would be a fun Riddler...after all, what's a good riddle without occasionally asking "Who?" XD *rimshot*

[Steel Samurai]

Harvey can't really continue to live due to the fact that, unlike the comic Two-Face, he's not motivated by money, and without a set goal, he can't exist in Gotham forever. If he's just taking out "bad guys," then Batman would have to bring him in and the entire ending would be ruined, if that makes sense. A return appearance with some sort of resolution isn't wholly unlikely though, I suppose. I think a likely villain for the next movie will be the Ventriloquist though, as DS suggested. The Riddler is too campy, and any of the superpowered villains wouldn't really fit into this version of Batman, not from the evidence so far. That leaves what, Catwoman, Penguin, Huntress, the Ventriloquist, Mad Hatter, Black Mask, Anarky, Zsasz? Out of those Huntress, Anarky, Black Mask, and Zsasz are probably too arcane, Mad Hatter is, in my opinion, too themed (and he's really rather boring), which leaves Catwoman, Penguin, and the Ventriloquist. Catwoman and Penguin have been done together already, but Penguin and the Ventriloquist would make for a fascinating movie, especially since they're both more gang themed. So, my money's on Penguin and Ventriloquist, with a random love interest. (or possibly no love interest, which would, in my opinion, be far superior)

[Green Goblin]

hmm.....Ventriloquist and Catwoman would be an interesting movie.

Have the gang talk about taking their orders from a man named Scarface and hide the big reveal until the last minute.

At the same time, have a Catburglar stealing from Waynetech Charity promotions.

Edited by Green Goblin, 20 July 2008 - 12:10 AM.

[TheAvengerLever]

Hm, if they bring in the Ventriloquist, they should have him use different puppets for different crimes and what not. It would be quite creepy. Like using Cheif O Hara and the other puppets when he lost Scarface.

[Masamune]

Yes. And the terrorist from Chris Dunham's sketches could be with the Ventriloquist. But really, I dunno if I could see him as a main villain. Maybe as someone in a Falcone type role, but otherwise... I think the suggestion of Bane earlier wouldn't be a bad idea. He got a real bad shake in Batman & Robin, it would be nice to see him done appropriately. At least him being souped up on some kind of drug has more realism than, say, the powers of Poison Ivy, Freeze, and Clayface.

Here's a villain they should use. The CLOCK KING. That would be the most perfect villain ever!

[Poore]

After seeing the movie a fourth time (yes, really), I'm convinced that Two-Face isn't dead. The most telling of these is the fact that neither Batman or Gordon specifically say he's dead. Gordon says that the convictions Dent made will "die along with his reputation", not the man himself, and Batman simply quotes the "die a hero, live to be a villain" line. The fact that Gotham needs a hero is clear, so they tell people Harvey's dead (note: there's no casket or body during the "funeral" scene) in order to maintain hope. I will be incredibly surprised if he doesn't return. Joker will likely make a cameo as well, just showing up in a background shot at Arkham (or something similar) with maybe a very subtle Harley Quinn reference.

Also, there's another subplot - the conflict between Batman and the police/people of Gotham - that will still continue into the next movie, which can take a little bit of the plot pressure off the main villain of the film. However, I still don't think Two-Face can carry the movie.

Supposedly Nolan has hinted that a very modified Penguin - a British or Russian (most likely British) arms dealer/gangster of some sort that just goes by the name "the Penguin" and is very proper/old-fashioned/themed/etc., making him a modified version of a typical crime movie bad guy - could be done effectively in the realistic Batman universe he's created. I, personally, don't think it'll happen. People say the Riddler's too campy, but plenty of people said that about the Joker before the first trailers for Dark Knight came out. I think Nolan can create a mind-blowingly awesome version of any Batman villain if he really wants to.

Edited by Poore, 20 July 2008 - 03:27 AM.