So why was The Dark Knight SO popular?

M

Mex

New member
First of all, I only saw it this week, way after everyone else. I am generally pretty bored by superhero movies so I was in no rush, but the uniformally great reviews and especially the imdb rating meant I had to go see it.

It was a reasonably good film, imho, but nothing more. So why has it been so praised, I've been wondering?

Here are a few ideas... what do others think?

1 - Heath Ledger (obviously). Without doubt, the best thing about the film by a mile. Even without the tragedy, people would be seeing this film to watch him.

2 - The ultimate transition of kiRAB movies to adult. The Star Wars generation has grown up, and taken a genre with them. The Phantom Meanace was so reviled mainly because it was squarely a kiRAB movie, and the adults rebelled. Episode III - imho actually an even worse film - was accepted simply because it was darker. The Dark Knight has no element for kiRAB at all, it takes its themes seriously (far too seriously given the laughable plotting imho). And so - with an iconic performance at its centre - it is a film a generation can call its own.

However, these two alone do not explain the critical reaction, which I find most baffling (though no 1 obviously does have an impact). So...

3 - Pitch perfect performances and good dialogue. People - even many critics - believe that script is dialogue, whereas primarily it is structure. The Dark Knight has an excellent cast and didn't have a bad performance in it, or really a bad line of dialogue. Given some spectacular action (albeit confusingly directed / edited at times), it was a film that exuded quality. However, for me it didn't mask some ridiculous plotting by the Joker - why it was that Nolan chose to emphasise how human Batman was yet make The Joker able to execute perfect impossibly complex plan after perfect impossibly complex plan, second guessing all responses on the way, is a mystery. This was plotting from a c-grade effects movie, at the heart of what purpoted to be a serious movie.

Oh, and...

4 - one stunningly brilliant (and very funny) moment, the destruction of the Hospital.

Any more thoughts, especially from those similarly perplexed by the film's rapturous reception?
 
well the mintue the blue fire poped up on screen i could not take my eyes off it
not one scene bored me the film moved quickly with brillent pace

when it was over i still wanted more but i was happy with the end

when i thought it was nearly over it then went on to another action set
which was cool
 
TDK was so popular mainly, because of Heath Ledgers untimely death and the hype surrounding his role - the hype did begin though before Ledger was even dead so this was always going to be massive really...
The film with or without Ledger would have been excellent in my opinion, but thats cos I'm a big fan of the Batman franchise anyway. Which is of course the other reason why TDK was so popular - a lot of people are fans of Batman and will watch whatever and whoever is in it.
 
I am not a fan of Batman or most superheroes either. I had initially not wanted to see TDK, as it didn't really interest me.

I think in part, but not the whole of this attraction is due to the untimely death of Heath Ledger. That said, the rumours, marketing or hype surrounding the film also increased the appeal of the film.

We knew it was going to be darker, more gritty version of Batman; then any previous incarnation. That in particular caught my attention, because Batman to me has always been a dark story. It was kind of more true to the comics, then before; so again this might have brought more attention from the 'purists'.

Lastly the Nolan Brothers have a good track record for making great films with a good story and direction. Add to this, on release some great reviews; which got even the doubters curious even to go see it.

For me though, Heath Ledger stole the show. His portrayal of the Joker was spot on, with some really freaky touches that gave the character so much depth. The one thing that has stuck in my mind, since I saw it; was the licking of his lips. Instead of stuttering, twitching or jerking like he had a tic; Heath Ledger had this subtle movement to portray his madness.
 
It was an average film. Way too long & not as good as Batman Begins. It was so popular because Heath Ledger is dead. Simple.
 
Word of mouth.

It's an excellent film with a number of great performances (none of the main cast were anything but great imo) and an interesting and clever plot.
 
Why was is so popular...

Simple.

You can't beat the power of fanboys.

Its a good film, but nowhere near as good as people are making it out to be. The number 1 film of all time on IMDb. I never really took their list seriously before, but I certainly am not now. I'd give the film an 8/10.

Paddy :D
 
You don't get a movie that big on fanboys alone. Otherwise we'd have had Iron Man, Incredible Hulk and the Star Wars cartoon breaking recorRAB this summer too.
 
simply because it's a VERY good film.

I never was a big Heath Ledger fan but his Joker is stunning, can anyone name a better-portrayed villian? (Maybe Frank from Blue Velvet)
 
It's a very good film, with a great cast, a superb script and a brilliant director. My only criticism is that it was a bit too long.

I though Ledger was incredible, and I thought we would have been talking about his performance had he not died. The fact that he DID die added to the creepiness of his character.
 
I'm no fan of Heath Ledger but I think his death and involvement may have been the popularity of the film.

I personally thought it was a very very entertaining film and I loved the character of Harvey Dent.
 
The Fanboy thing doesn't explain it alone, but I must admit I agree with you on the imdb chart - it's taken a credability hit with this. There's much to admire in The Dark Knight, but plenty to criticise. To put it above every other film ever made except Shawshank and The Godfather is just embarrassing.
 
Back
Top