The Dark Knight Reviewed

WHAM! POW! SMACK! These words were once the thing people thought about when the heard the name Batman. Adam West, shark repellent purple gas and colorful costumes filled this campier than camp show and sadly became the example for our hero.

As years would pass, Tim Burton stepped up to helm the first Batman film. Things started well, as two entertaining, albeit, over-the-top films were made. However, the franchise soon fell back into depravity with further incarnations bringing the silliness and even more colorful costumes from West’s show.

Fortunately, dear readers, these days have passed.

I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t really care for Batman beings. Too much action and kung-fu for my purist stomach to digest I suppose. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good movie. It just didn’t fell like Batman. So, despite a brilliant marketing campaign and fantastic trailers and clips, I didn’t expect greatness. I was wrong.

The Dark Knight is the most serious superhero film ever made. Period. It takes what many view as simplistic and childishness genre and completely turns it on it’s ear. It’s dark, brooding and more complex than many critics have given it credit (despite their rave reviews). In fact, the who movie feels real. It’s as close as what we could imagine to seeing if there actually was a painted madman terrorizing Chicago and a winged protector defending it.

I hate to say it, but it makes Marvel’s Iron Man looks like a cartoon by comparison. This is coming from someone who has entertained the idea of an Avengers or Captain America shield tattoo. Yeah. I know. I said entertained, I haven’t actually done it.

Folks we need more movies like this. We need films that make comic book look serious. For far too long graphic novels and comics have not been viewed in a serious light. Maybe a few more films might change that. Perhaps.

Let me get back on subject here. The Dark Knight is the best big budget film to come out this year. It is the most serious and thought provoking comic adaptation ever put on the big screen. It is, my fellow nerds, as good as it gets.