Why So Serious???

When you normally go to the theater to watch a superhero film you normally expect something that very campy (read Batman and Robin) with over the top villains (read Dr. Freeze and Poison Ivy), elaborate sets and visual effects and weird costume (remember the bat suit with nipples) and mostly bad characterization (Daredevil, Electra, anyone???). Well this all changed withe release of Ironman (and please I'm not even taken into account Spiderman, even though it has earned millions). A great character that's quite believable and not over-the-top, and so were the villains, these were real. A great story with great supporting character. And you sang your Halleuah and thought that a superhero movie couldn't get better than this. But then enter Dark Knight and all this has to be rewritten.

For a movie on a superhero, the Dark Knight is literally a pretty dark movie. Watching this movie only one word came to my mind "Bloody Brilliant" (OK so that's more than one word). Never thought that a superhero movie can be this interesting and yes DARK. For two and half hour the movie is pretty long by Hollywood standards, but there is enough action, enough of stories, enough of everything to grab on to you from the very beginning and never let you go till the very end.

What makes this fair so interesting is surprisingly the character called the Joker, and yes not Batman. I never thought anyone would top Jack Nicholson's performance of the same character and was pretty pessimistic when they announced that Heath Ledger would be playing the character. But I must say he takes the Joker to a whole new level. He's pure evil who knows no bounds. Pretty maniacal as well as diabolical, who falls no rule and believes in chaos and anarchy. Brilliant portrayal of the character that makes you want to see more of him than even the hero. You real believe he's freak and not queer like some of the other villains. A evil genius behind the clown make up. Someone who can easily send chills up your spine.

Even though the Joker overshadows everyone in the film that doesn't mean that the others are not good. Each character is portrayed brilliantly. Whether it's Christian Bale portraying the Batman, Gary Oldman as Commisioner Gordon, Aaron Eckhart as DA Harvey Dent (and yes later as the Two-Face), Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and the brilliant Michael Caine as Alfred. And yes Maggie Gyllenhall is a definite improvement over the wooden Katie Holm, as Rachel Dawes. Each of these people make their character credible and believable and good. But then at the end of the day it's all about the Joker.

But then at the end of the day the credit must go to Christopher Nolan for creating something that nothing short of a masterpiece. Making everything real and not campy. One movie that I definitely enjoyed and wouldn't mind watching again or owning on VCD.

So let's say "Why So Serious????"