The Dark Knight

This weekend the only two new releases anyone cares about are The Hangover Part II and Kung Fu Panda 2. Hmmmm. 2 sequels that have amazing beginning stories. This is a nerve racking weekend for people like me. Purists. Sometimes things should just be put to bed. Can they get any better? That's is a tough question, and I feel the percentage of a sequel being better than the original is probably got about a 3% success rate in the history of film. Not many can add up to the time and devotion a first film has on it's side. Let's face it. Sequels are made to make money. Bottom line. The End. The commercial success of a film will have a sequel in the works after the opening weekend if the numbers are right. Sequels, for the most part, are good, but not great, or spectacular. I have compiled a list of sequels unanimous with being better. I think with as poor as DC Comics does with it's films (Green Lantern is not looking so great either) , I should shine some light on the best they have done with the re-booted Batman franchise. Granted, it is only great because of the writer and Director. Nolan is brilliant. The best Director in Hollywood today? YES, YES, YES!!!! To take this once successful franchise and start over essentially removing the "comic book" feel of it all takes balls. Batman Begins was a work of art in and of itself, but by waiting till the sequel to bring one of the most iconic villains of all time back to the big screen, that's just patience. The Joker made this film what it was, and even if Ledger hadn't died (shame), it still would have gotten the recognition it did. Why So Serious? Brilliant. Replacing Holmes with Gyllenhaal was perfect, and Eckart as Harvey Dent was also perfect. The Two-Face CG was unlike anything I have ever seen, but the mayhem the The Joker caused is what this film was all about. He was written as a sociopath and Ledger played it to perfection. Oscar deserved. The way he is constantly tasting and embracing his mouth scars is a work of genius. I was so creeped out by him, yet I didn't want it to end, or did I? This is a great film with action, love, loss, and the choosing of sides. I also think this could be the first franchise in history where the 3rd film will actually be better than the previous two. The Dark Knight Rises is set for next summer and I cannot wait. I posted the first released pic form it on the right side of the site. Enjoy


NBM rates The Dark Knight - A Work of Cinematic Art