The Dark Knight - the LuvSeals Review

we really can sum this up in two words...

CRIME DRAMA!!!

This flick played out like the best episode of every great television show from the last few years-- you name it, it had it! (Law & Order, CSI, 24, Heroes, shall I go on??)
It played more like "Heat" or "City Hall" or "The Godfather" than it did "Iron Man", "Spider-man" or "Fantastic Four".

And here's the crazy part-- it's a SUPERHERO MOVIE! Yes, that same Batman with the pointy ears and the rubber spandex tights and cape is the star of this movie! But be warned, kids, this ain't your auntie's Batman-- heck this ain't even Batman from when we were in college-- this is the Dark Knight-- quite possibly the greatest superhero comic book movie ever filmed-- and I say that with a nod and an unshed tear for my beloved Spider-man and Spider-man 2 films that both held claim to that superlative.

Christian Bale made this role his own in "Batman Begins"-- redefining both the caped crusader and millionaire socialite Bruce Wayne for the modern era. He further cements it here in TDK, fleshing out the vigilante detective even further. In fact, just about the entire ensemble cast does this film great justice (pardon the pun): Michael Cain as Alfred the butler, Gary Oldman as Lt. (later Commissioner) Gordon, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes (replacing Mrs. Cruise from the last movie), Morgan Freeman (yes! Joe Clark! Red from Shawshank! Easy Reader!) as trusted Wayne Corp CEO Lucius Fox, and Aaron Eckhardt in a breakthrough performance as D.A. Harvey Dent. Heck, even the bit players brought out this movie well-- I'm talkin about casting like Anthony Michael Hall as a Gotham talk show host, Michael Jai White (Spawn!) as a crime boss and Tiny "Zeus" Lister in a pivotal cameo as a hardened prisoner.

But above and beyond all of them and rightfully not stealing the show, but DEFINING it with his performance and portrayal of the clown prince of crime is the late Heath Ledger. Dare I say it, this white boy showed some serious acting chops! He is getting crazy props for his turn as the Joker-- and not just because this is his last performance. Mr. Ledger has always been a great talent, and he pushed it to the limit in this film-- the excellent balance of humor, villainy, wrath and slick cleverness-- he brought the Joker up from the comic book panels and made him REAL in a fashion that would make Jack Nicholson's portrayal back in 1989 look like Homey the Clown in comparison.

Christopher Nolan did a fine job directing and David Goyer's scripting and Hans Zimmer's music round out what I believe is a cinematic perfect storm. And for you comic heads who want to do research on the basis for this one, check out the Batman graphic novel "The Long Halloween" for the inspiration.

I won't get into plot, b/c if you have been living under a rock you still know what this movie's about, but you also should know that this flick has its share of surprises.

Parents, this one is PG-13 and with good reason. This isn't Kids' WB Batman, this is the comic put to screen as it was originally written. There's fightin, shootin, bombin, killin, and everything in between. Plus, the Joker's scars are just downright scary, even for a grown man like me. You've been warned.

The gadgets and stunts employed in this one are top notch, and the use of special effects were not only stunning but realistic (nothing seemed like it couldn't happen in reality).
This movie has become the new standard upon which all superhero movies from now on should be measured, and that is no small feat. There is a reason this is breaking all box office records and I seriously and sincerely hope this mutha earns more cash than Titanic, because it deserves it.

We officially give this one 13 out of 10, and that's without even seeing it in IMAX!



P.S.: the trailer for Watchmen, due out 3/06/09, airs in select theaters for this movie.