Sarah Schalk Mr.

Hackney Rhetoric 101 15 October 2013 The Dark Knight Strikes Again Christopher Nolans The Dark Knight defies everyones expectations about typical superhero movies. The movie has a dark tone throughout and may leave some comic book lovers disappointed with the lack of bright colors and obnoxious BAM and POW type of action. However, for most this film was an immediate favorite, in no time becoming the new must-see super hero film. The film is full of action pact scenes and captivating special effects. Christian Bale doubles as billionaire, playboy Bruce Wayne and dark, mysterious superhero Batman. Batman is misunderstood by most of Gotham City as an evil figure; but with help of his butler and his inventor, played by Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman respectively, he becomes known as a protector. This second movie of the trilogy is focused on the Batman fighting his arch rival, the Joker, played by Heath Ledger. Roger Ebert and David Denby both review The Dark Knight giving it much of the respect it deserves while providing some expected criticisms. Even though Ebert and Denby have varying views on the filming of the movie, they both dedicate time to focus on one actor, Heath Ledger, and discussing the Joker being the main focus of the plot. The first major focus of David Denbys review is the filming aspect of the movie. The main focus of his review is how the movie was filmed. He specifically addresses the action scenes that he believes to be difficult to follow because the combat is photographed close up, in semidarkness, and cut at the speed of a fifteen-second commercial. Denby discusses how this creates a lack of discipline that is necessary even for a fighting action scene. The visuals become hard to see exactly what is going on and leaves most of the audience in more of a confused state until the events are further explained. Roger Ebert takes a completely different approach to analyzing the filming of the movie. Rather than reviewing how the actual filming is done, he addresses what is being filmed and included in the movie. The Dark Knight was filmed in Chicago which some people may not recognize because a lack of familiar landscape shown. Ebert writes, The movie was shot on location, in Chicago, but it avoids many places, notably landmarks as Marina City, the Wrigley Building or the skyline. Denby and Ebert both agree that the filming of this movie is lacking in some areas but each of them are drawn to different aspects. Although the reviews differ in some ways, the authors do share many views on the film. In their reviews, both authors make it a point to highlight Heath Ledgers portrayal of the Joker above all the other actors. Ebert dedicates an entire of his review regarding Ledgers performance. He writes, The key performance in the movie is by the late Heath Ledger, as the Joker. Will he become the first posthumous Oscar winner since Peter Finch? Ebert believes that Legers role was inspiring and one of the biggest successes of the movie. Denby addresses Ledgers performance as, what some may call, an art form; he concludes that, And it has one startling and artful element: the sinister and frightening performance of the late Heath Ledger as the psychopathic murderer the Joker. He also compares Ledgers acting to the other characters

by writing, Its a dogged but uninteresting performance, upstaged by the great Ledger. Both authors make it known that the Joker was the most influential character of the film and they both address not the character itself, but the performance delivered by Ledger. Both reviewers also believe that the plot is actually focused more around the Jokers actions and intentions. Ebert explains, The plot involves nothing more or less than the Jokers attempt to humiliate the forces for good and expose Batmans secret identity, showing him to be a poser and a fraud. Ebert suggests that although The Dark Knight is in fact a Batman film, it is centered on the Jokers efforts to expose the hero. In regards to Jokers role in the plot, Denby writes, That part of the movie is upsetting to watch, and, in retrospect, both painful and stirring to think about. Denby explains that the Jokers character is what the audience will be left thinking about after seeing the movie due to his role in the film. Denby concludes his review of the plot by saying, Batman even thinks of retiring. But the Joker wont let him; he needs him, as someone to play with. Without the Joker, Batman would have retired therefore providing no plot to base the film upon. Both authors address how the plot of this Batman movie is, in actuality, constructed around the character the Joker. The Dark Knight is the second film of a trilogy that successfully challenges all traditional expectations of a comic-book, superhero movie. A major difference between in this film between typical superhero films is the filming techniques. Ebert and Denby have varying views on which filming techniques were most important to address. However, Ebert and Denby both agree that Heath Ledger gave the most successful and thought-provoking performance and that the plot was built around his character, the Joker. All in all both reviewers give The Dark Knight much of the respect and credit it is due.

Works Cited Denby, David. "PAST SHOCK The Dark Knight and WALL-E." The New Yorker. Conde Nast, 21 July 2008. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. Ebert, Roger. "The Dark Knight." Roger Ebert. Roger Ebert, 16 July 2008. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. Nolan, Christopher, dir. The Dark Knight. 2008. Film.