The Dark Knight . . .

Friday evening I went to see “The Dark Knight” with Courtney at the Union Square Theater, love going there because they have diet coke and not diet Pepsi. All I can say is, HOLY BATMAN!, WOW!, WHAM! POW!

I have been anxiously awaiting the summer blockbuster since last fall when I saw the movie posters showing the demented Joker and the movie trailers. I am not a Super Hero kind of a girl and clearly could care less, but would only go because of my sister. Seriously after seeing Spider Man 2, I was done all because of the all time CHEESY line from Kirstin Dunst “Go get em tiger”, seriously that was the most ridiculous line and killed the movie for me!

The Dark Knight is fantastic and I absolutely LOVED IT, $13 well spent. The last Batman movie I saw was “Batman and Robin” circa 1997 when George Clooney played the cape crusader, along with Chris O’Donnell (Robin) and Alicia Silverstone (Bat Girl).I had no interest to see “Batman Begins” I think the reason was Katie Holmes, not sure if it is still Katie or Kate, seeing she is Mrs. Cruise these days.

But now after seeing Christian Bale as Batman, he is my all time favorite, sorry George!

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Rachel Dawes), Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent/Two-Face), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), Michael Cane (Alfred Pennyworth), Gary Oldman (Lt. James Gordon), and Heath Ledger(The Joker), were the perfect cast and they each complimented each other. Oh, and who knew Eric Roberts (Salvatore Maroni) was making a comeback, last time I saw him, he was in The Killers video, Mr. Brightside.
Yes, it is true what the critics are saying in regards to Heath’s performance, he steals the movie but in a good way and not because he is dead. Whether Heath were alive today or not, I believe that the critics would still rave about his EXTRAORDINARY performance and we would still hear Oscar buzz!

I must say from seeing the first Batman circa 1989 when I was 11 with Michael Keaton (Batman) and Jack Nicholson (The Joker), the Batman series appears to be more sophisticated in away (watching “Batman Forever at the moment). Jack was terrific as The Joker and from what I remember he was crazy, sly and yet comical and lighter.

Heath brought an edge and whole new dimension to the infamous Villain. His performance is rather intense and disturbing! He added a whole new layer to the complexity of the Joker; you see how delusional and psychotic the Joker truly is. The way that Heath carries himself, with his lizard like tongue smacking his lips, the way he shifts his eyes, is just creepy; and at times his voice reminds me of Jack Nicholson. Not sure if that was planned or not.

There is one part of the movie that gets a huge laugh, when the Joker visits Harvey that is by far hysterical, yet so demented. I don’t think I can say too much more about his performance, you just have to go see the movie, I am still rather speechless.

I also don’t want to forget about Aaron’s performance or Maggie’s, they were both fantastic and likable.

I am really excited to see what will happen next in the franchise, what will the people of Gotham want the Dark Knight to become? I can only hope that the next one will leave me wanting for more. I am very curious to see who will be casted as the next Joker; whoever it is has some HUMONGIOUS shoes to fill!