There aren’t many superhero films that can claim to have changed the game quite like The Dark Knight did. Widely considered one of the…
There aren’t many superhero films that can claim to have changed the game quite like The Dark Knight did. Widely considered one of the greatest films ever made and an icon for superhero cinema going forward, The Dark Knight earned recognition for its screenplay, visual effects, soundtrack, themes (notably Ledger), performances (particularly Ledger), cinematography and action sequences during its theatrical run and still stands as a box office success.
This movie is a timeless tale of light versus darkness and maintaining goodness in an increasingly corrupted world. What sets it apart from other comic book films is its focus on humanity rather than on superheroes; moreover, its story resonated with audiences by reminding them not to get caught up in flashy gadgets, sky beams and $200 million worth of special effects so often seen in comic book movies.
One thing that sets it apart from its competitors is the depth to which it explores themes like politics, corruption and trauma despite being released in 2008. All these aspects feel relevant in today’s modern society – particularly political corruption and trauma elements which help make its larger-than-life superhero characters seem more realistic and relatable.
At its heart, this movie poses the question: To what lengths will people go in order to overcome evil? Our heroes face this dilemma from the outset and it remains an issue they all struggle with – from Harvey Dent flipping a coin for life or death decisions or Batman torturing criminals henchmen, this film explores just how far heroes will go in order to combat crime.
Christian Bale’s performance of Batman as the Caped Crusader stands out amongst all others; his portrayal was unmatched by any other actor playing him and has been replicated many times over. Nolan’s vision has also had an enormous effect on how other studios handle the character moving forward, setting precedents that others follow and others do not.
Heath Ledger’s performance as Joker is unquestionably the highlight of this movie; his portrayal is unquestionably the single-most crucial element that elevates it above its contemporaries. Ledger set the benchmark for what an ideal superhero movie villain should be and has set an unreasonably high bar for future antagonists to live up to.
Nolan gave Commissioner Gordon an essential character arc that is central to defining moments in the movie. Instead of simply using him as a stereotyped GCPD ally or convenient “henchman,” Nolan gave him his own individual narrative that plays out throughout its entirety.