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Amazon.co.uk Review
The Dark Knight arrives with tremendous hype (best superhero movie ever? posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger?), and incredibly, it lives up to all of it. But calling it the best superhero movie ever seems like faint praise, since part of what makes the movie great--in addition to pitch-perfect casting, outstanding writing, and a compelling vision--is that it bypasses the normal fantasy element of the superhero genre and makes it all terrifyingly real. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) is Gotham City's new district attorney, charged with cleaning up the crime rings that have paralysed the city. He enters an uneasy alliance with the young police lieutenant, Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman), and Batman (Christian Bale), the caped vigilante who seems to trust only Gordon--and whom only Gordon seems to trust. They make progress until a psychotic and deadly new player enters the game: the Joker (Heath Ledger), who offers the crime bosses a solution--kill the Batman. Further complicating matters is that Dent is now dating Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal, after Katie Holmes turned down the chance to reprise her role), the longtime love of Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne. In his last completed role before his tragic death, Ledger is fantastic as the Joker, a volcanic, truly frightening force of evil. And he sets the tone of the movie: the world is a dark, dangerous place where there are no easy choices. Eckhart and Oldman also shine, but as good as Bale is, his character turns out rather bland in comparison (not uncommon for heroes facing more colorful villains). Director/co-writer Christopher Nolan (Memento) follows his critically acclaimed Batman Begins with an even better sequel that sets itself apart from notable superhero movies like Spider-Man 2 and Iron Man because of its sheer emotional impact and striking sense of realism--there are no suspension-of-disbelief superpowers here. At 152 minutes, it's a shade too long, and it's much too intense for kids. But for most movie fans--and not just superhero fans--The Dark Knight is a film for the ages. --David Horiuchi
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
74 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
The film's great, blah blah, nothing new.
This is really to comment on the Blu-Ray variable aspect ratio that is featured on this BD. As a film purist, I was VERY sceptical about the idea of moving from letterbox to full-screen aspect ratios during such a brilliant film. I was so worried that it would look cheap and gimmicky that I rented the BD before buying to make up my mind. At the worst, I would get the DVD and get the whole thing in letterbox format, I thought.
Looking back, I am glad I checked, because it really could have been awful, but honestly? I'm not sure how I could imagine that such a landmark film would be the object of cheap gimmicks...
The switching from letterbox to full screen is so subtly integrated that my wife didn't even notice it(and she's just as film savvy as I am - I knew about the VAR so I was looking out for the switches)
Here's the verdict: I found that it actually added to the film.
The opening bank heist and the lorry vs bike scene (don't pretend you don't know the one...) both get the full screen treatment. Obviously, they are two amazing set pieces that really benefit from the involving appeal of the full-screen experience. They are also two scenes that must have been intentionally shot with no important info on the sides, so you really do lose nothing you would have wanted to keep and you gain immersion and pixel-perfect definition. This is not Channel 5 cutting of the sides of your favourite movies just to get rid of the black stripes. When the black stripes go, it's because it really is best that way. And then when they come back, it's integrated into dark scenes so that you don't even realise it.
Other full-screen moments include wide-angle pans over the city giving you a completely immersive experience. The switch to full-screen on these scenes give you the impression of flying over Gotham at night. Incredible.
I will now never accept to see the film in any other format. This truly seems to be the director's vision. And if it isn't, then it should be. Who would have thought that The Dark Knight could be improved on? I feel humbled.
EDIT: Yes, obviously, when I say full screen, I mean the full 16:9 (1.78:1) of an HD TV, as opposed to letter-box 2.4:1 which presents black lines at the top and bottom of the screen. (For those commentators who appear to be watching their blu-ray films on a 4:3 cathode-ray tube... I do suggest sticking to DVD or even VHS: it's much cheaper! Another tip would be to buy two speakers so you can upgrade to stereo sound! I hope this clarifies things for you.)
Though it is interesting to learn that the sequences that I was so impressed with were originally shot with that 16:9 IMAX ratio, staying therefore 100% true to the director's vision. So in the end it's the DVD version that cuts material off, not this blu-ray version. Thanks for the info!
This is really to comment on the Blu-Ray variable aspect ratio that is featured on this BD. As a film purist, I was VERY sceptical about the idea of moving from letterbox to full-screen aspect ratios during such a brilliant film. I was so worried that it would look cheap and gimmicky that I rented the BD before buying to make up my mind. At the worst, I would get the DVD and get the whole thing in letterbox format, I thought.
Looking back, I am glad I checked, because it really could have been awful, but honestly? I'm not sure how I could imagine that such a landmark film would be the object of cheap gimmicks...
The switching from letterbox to full screen is so subtly integrated that my wife didn't even notice it(and she's just as film savvy as I am - I knew about the VAR so I was looking out for the switches)
Here's the verdict: I found that it actually added to the film.
The opening bank heist and the lorry vs bike scene (don't pretend you don't know the one...) both get the full screen treatment. Obviously, they are two amazing set pieces that really benefit from the involving appeal of the full-screen experience. They are also two scenes that must have been intentionally shot with no important info on the sides, so you really do lose nothing you would have wanted to keep and you gain immersion and pixel-perfect definition. This is not Channel 5 cutting of the sides of your favourite movies just to get rid of the black stripes. When the black stripes go, it's because it really is best that way. And then when they come back, it's integrated into dark scenes so that you don't even realise it.
Other full-screen moments include wide-angle pans over the city giving you a completely immersive experience. The switch to full-screen on these scenes give you the impression of flying over Gotham at night. Incredible.
I will now never accept to see the film in any other format. This truly seems to be the director's vision. And if it isn't, then it should be. Who would have thought that The Dark Knight could be improved on? I feel humbled.
EDIT: Yes, obviously, when I say full screen, I mean the full 16:9 (1.78:1) of an HD TV, as opposed to letter-box 2.4:1 which presents black lines at the top and bottom of the screen. (For those commentators who appear to be watching their blu-ray films on a 4:3 cathode-ray tube... I do suggest sticking to DVD or even VHS: it's much cheaper! Another tip would be to buy two speakers so you can upgrade to stereo sound! I hope this clarifies things for you.)
Though it is interesting to learn that the sequences that I was so impressed with were originally shot with that 16:9 IMAX ratio, staying therefore 100% true to the director's vision. So in the end it's the DVD version that cuts material off, not this blu-ray version. Thanks for the info!
249 of 281 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Audio: Dolby True HD: English5.1, Dolby Digital: Brazilian Portugese 5.1, Castilian Spanish 5.1, French 5.1 , German 5.1, Italian 5.1,
.Subtittles English, Brazilian Portuguese , Castalian Spanish , Complex CHinese, Danish, Dutch,French, German, Italian ,Korean , Norwegian , Portuguese Spanish and Swedish
.Subtittles English, Brazilian Portuguese , Castalian Spanish , Complex CHinese, Danish, Dutch,French, German, Italian ,Korean , Norwegian , Portuguese Spanish and Swedish
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I admit, I came to the new batman films with a somewhat preconceived notion that they would be typical comic book films, glossy and boring, but nevertheless an agreeable way to spend two hours or so. However, I was very wrong, whilst in opinion, it is not quite te masterpiece that some claim, it is nevertheless a brilliant film, the plot is genuinely compelling and the setting genuinely dark. Christopher Nolan has finally got the full potential out of the Batman world not only that but there is some stellar acting on show, not just with Heath Ledger but from Micheal Caine and from Morgan Freeman as well.
Now onto the Blu-ray conversion, which has been the subject of some controversy in the reviews below. My view is that so long as you watch it without purposefully looking for the aspect ratio changes, you won't notice them too much and they won't annoy you. What you will notice is that the film envelops you in the world of Gotham City.
Overall personally I like the fact that they filmed some of it in IMAX it adds to the film, rather than taking away, in my opinion. I also loved the film, it is fun and not totally serious, but it's still great nevertheless.
Now onto the Blu-ray conversion, which has been the subject of some controversy in the reviews below. My view is that so long as you watch it without purposefully looking for the aspect ratio changes, you won't notice them too much and they won't annoy you. What you will notice is that the film envelops you in the world of Gotham City.
Overall personally I like the fact that they filmed some of it in IMAX it adds to the film, rather than taking away, in my opinion. I also loved the film, it is fun and not totally serious, but it's still great nevertheless.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Batman
This movie is brilliant as its well directed and a good storyline. A great performance from Heath Ledger. Read more
Published 27 days ago by Don
an amazing dark edgy comic book movie
This movie is just amazing. The performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker is one of the best on screen villan performances I have seen. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. R. I. Peck
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Heath ledger steals the show here but more importantly, chris nolan is getting better with each film. Can't wait for the next one
Published 2 months ago by M. Collier
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Published 3 months ago by stackey
The Dark Knight [Blu-Ray] Review
The Dark Knight is exactly what hollywood has been missing until a film of this magnitude was released, with the amount of half arsed, money making, greedy film companies taking... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bowiee
A Film Blu-Ray Was Made For
There seems to be many Blu-Ray sceptics out there but I am a convert. Even with semi-decent Home Cinema equipment this film is a blast from beginning to end. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bubo
As good as a movie can get!!
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Published 4 months ago by C. Katema
Why IS it so serious?
Three and a half years after the hype, sycophantic reviews, and mass hysteria have died down I am now ready to review this film with a level-headed opinion. Is it good. Yes, quite. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Inspector Gadget
Awesome and vivid picture quality and lots of action
Awesome and vivid picture quality and lots of action. If you love to watch movies in High Definition, this movie should be on top of your list. Period.
Published 5 months ago by rickyromeo
its all about the Joker
Heath Ledger RIP what a talent lost!.... This is a cut above your standard Batman film anyway however when the Joker is on camera it's an amazing film. Read more
Published 5 months ago by EGGY6198
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