On Screen / Linda Cook

'Dark Knight' sure to create box-office heroics, too

| Friday, August 29, 2008 | () comments

Heath Ledger starring as The Joker, is shown in a scene with Christian Bale, starring as Batman, in "The Dark Knight."" (Warner Bros. Pictures) Buy this Photo

Linda Cook

"The Dark Knight"

4 stars

Running time: Two hours and 32 minutes

Rated: PG-13 for violence

Stars: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy and Eric Roberts

Director: Christopher Nolan

Screenplay: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, based on characters created by Bob Kane

No wonder people were lined up long before midnight for Friday’s first showing.

Word of mouth travels fast. And moviegoers knew that “The Dark Knight” was bound to be one of the best films of 2008.

There they were, streaming out the door of the theater, some dressed like characters in the film, others in “Batman” shirts and still others in regular street clothes. All of them wanted to be among the first to see this fantastic vision of Batman — and, of course bid, adieu to Heath Ledger in his role as The Joker.

As dark and somber as Batman’s cowl, “The Dark Knight” really isn’t so much about action and drama as it is about the choices we make, and just how much fate plays a role in our lives.

And the star, in case you didn’t know, is the late Ledger, who delivers a truly stunning performance as the macabre Joker, a vicious criminal with a penchant for the dramatic.

Once again, a brooding Christian Bale plays Bruce Wayne, the billionaire who secretly is the Caped Crusader, defender of Gotham City. Not everyone thinks “the Batman” is a good guy, though, despite the fact he has taken out a large chunk of the organized crime in the city.

New to the limelight is District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart, “Thank You for Smoking”), who is not afraid to be a target of the mobsters. Along with Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman), he bravely stands up to the sinister element that wants Gotham City in its grip.

The Joker is a newcomer to the scene. Sadistic, grotesque and unpredictable, he doesn’t much care which side he takes as long as he can leave destruction and sorrow everywhere he goes in his quest to unmask Batman.

Returning to reprise their roles from “Batman Begins” are Morgan Freeman as brilliant Lucius Fox and Michael Caine as Wayne’s wise butler, Alfred. Maggie Gyllenhaal now plays the romantic lead instead of Katie Holmes.

First and foremost, this is a well-wrought drama with interesting characters who must face all kinds of obstacles while they’re grappling with inner demons. Naturally, the movie has its share of action, gadgets and vehicles, including an interesting new spin on the Batcycle, aka the Batpod.

Although this is based on a comic book legend, it’s not a film for little kids. It’s moody and, in most parts, somber, with a disturbing villain whose brutality isn’t family fare. It’s a serious spin on a pop-culture icon.

And judging from those midnight shows and brimming parking lots, “The Dark Knight” will be a superhero at the box office, too.

Linda Cook reviews movies for the Quad-City Times and KWQC-TV. Contact her at lcook@qctimes.com. Comment on this column at qctimes.com.