This Batman movie is not called The Dark knight for nothing;demented clown, conflicted batman, crooked officials, plenty of dark humour, strong themes a' plenty. At 2hours 30 minutes the film is both epic in the story it tells. The characters it portrays and most importantly its themes. The duration can be a bit of stretch but its a worthwhile stretch cause the running time gives ample opportunity for the characters to develop and grow, for the plot to twist and turn and for the themes to get more and more pressing as the clocks ticks towards the final showdown.
The themes in the movie range from how do we define a hero and a villan (basically good and evil). What is leadership (should we make idols of our leader and what makes a leader?).The dangers of idealisation and terrorism. Theres alot to unpack in the movie, depending on who you are,you'll get a different take on the themes presented in the film. The film toys with the idea that in our so called civilised world the concept of hero and vilan are just two shades of grey from each other. The hero is not that far frombeing a vilan and a villan can easily be a hero. That terroricis works by targeting at our fears, insecurities and selfishess.Therefore anyone can be an agent of terror given the right circumstances or the right stakes. Even the role of mass media as an agent of terror that is used to spread it, is also explored in the film. Which for me is a very apt themes in a post 9/11 world. At some level while watching the dark knight the old saying of "whorish times make whores of all of us" seem to be put to the test both metaphorically and pratically.
The film has shades of saw, v for vendetta and something that is uniquely batman, more like unique to the current franchise, that sees the film actually slightly maturing in how it comes across.
Take the Joker for example, he's character is both violent ,insane, very charming and deviously cunning. The film does not hold back on this, Heath Ledger's Joker is not the same funny prince of Jack Nicholsons "the batman" joker of 1980's. Heath's Joker is the sort of character that can pop up in kids nightmares (and some adults) but worst than done that he is the sort of villan that makes one question alot about one selves reality, morals and behaviour. He is a sort of bad guy that becomes a reflection on the so called good guys and society and poses alot of difficult questions. No one is in such a better position to question themselves like Bruce Wayne/Batman in this movie.
The Joker becomes Batman antithesis , that not only makes for good viewing but also challenges the concept of batman as an all time good guy and our own notions of heroism. How many comic books adaptation can say they've done that.
Two other lovely characters that are portrayed well in this film and carry the themes and another major part of the film/story are Aaron Erckhart's Harvey Dent/Two face and Gary Oldman's commisioner Gordon's character. The journey and eventual outcome at the end of the movie is set up so nicely that by the time the chips are down and things are going hay wire,one really can identify,understand and sympathise with their plight. But although Heath the Joker is fun to watch and almost steals the show with his black humour and antics the film still belongs to the batman,not only as a character but as a symbol. One truely comes out knowing who the dark knight is, what he stands for and the true burden of being a real hero.
By the end of the film theres only one question unanswered " where to from here Mr.Batman?". That question will stay with you for a couple of hours or a day or two after watching the movie.What will the guys do top this movie in the third film? How will producers top this film? How will the director cum writer Christopher Nolan build on the Dark knight? My my my,i dont see any easy answers.