DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan
STARRING: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart
RATED: PG-13
OPINION STARS: 4.5 out of 5
THIS FILM IS: Thoughtful, Dark, Violent
----------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION: Aided by Lt. Jim Gordon (Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Eckhart), Bruce Wayne - the Batman - continues his fight to wipe out organized crime in Gotham for good. But when the city is plunged into total chaos by an anarchist mastermind known only as the Joker (a masterful Ledger), Batman finds himself forced closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante. Winner of the 2009 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
---------------------------
VIOLENCE AND GORE: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
FRIGHTENING CONTENT: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
LANGUAGE: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
MATURE THEMES: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
INDECENT CONTENT: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
---------------------------
NOTE: Much as I enjoyed Batman Begins (2006), I liked this sequel even more. Strikingly realistic and grim, The Dark Knight is so much more than just a superhero film: it is an explosive morality play on an epic scale. In terms of thoughtfulness and sheer emotional impact, I've seldom seen it matched. As for Ledger's Joker... well, suffice it to say that after seeing him, all other movie villains will look tame in comparison. He slaughters, maims, and destroys with a sadistic glee that will make your stomach turn. And he does it all - not because it's convenient or profitable - but on principle. He does it just for the laughs. In my opinion, he's the most frightening picture of man's depravity ever put on screen.
-----------------------------------------------
For Ages 15+
"See, their morals, their code - it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you: when the chips are down, these, these civilized people - they'll eat each other."
