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The Dark Knight

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The Dark Knight (2008)

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Reviews Counted: 265

Fresh: 249

Rotten:16

Average Rating: 8.5/10

Consensus: Dark, complex and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for intense sequences of violence and some menace.

Runtime: 2 hrs 33 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:24-07-2008

Synopsis: To say that Christopher Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT is the best comic book adaptation does the film a bit of a disservice. It may be a Batman film, but this isn't a kid-friendly action movie full of... To say that Christopher Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT is the best comic book adaptation does the film a bit of a disservice. It may be a Batman film, but this isn't a kid-friendly action movie full of the bams and pows of the original series. This is a pitch-black thriller with enough drama and tragedy to please even William Shakespeare, but it will certainly keep both comics fans and uninitiated audiences equally happy. THE DARK KNIGHT starts in the wake of BATMAN BEGINS: with the appearance of Batman (Christian Bale), Gotham City's criminal underworld is unnerved. They're also plagued by the new D.A., Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), who, in his quest for justice, remains above the city's corruption. Enter a new villain, the Joker (Heath Ledger), who wants to unite the criminals for a common purpose: to kill Batman. THE DARK KNIGHT is one of the most hyped movies to date, and a lesser film would be crushed under the weight of all that expectation. Some of the publicity stems from the early death of Ledger, who turns in an excellent performance. He provides moments of humor, but this Joker is terrifying, sharing more with classic villains such as Hannibal Lechter than with his comic book predecessors. Eckhart is equally good as Dent, and Maggie Gyllenhaal deserves praise for taking over the role of Rachel Dawes from Katie Holmes. Though there's more emphasis on plot and character development than in most comic book adaptations, that doesn't mean Nolan has skimped on any of the action sequences. Each set piece is done perfectly, leaving the audience breathless. THE DARK KNIGHT is filmmaking at its best; its subject matter may be dark and depressing, but it's tough not to feel exhilarated by its artistry when the credits begin to roll. [More]

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Eric Roberts, Anthony Michael Hall, Nestor Carbonell, Michael Jai White, William Fichtner

Director: Christopher Nolan

Director: Christopher Nolan
Screenwriter: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan
Story: Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer
Producer: Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
Composer: Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard
Studio: Warner Bros.

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1 - 4 of 21

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Reviews for The Dark Knight

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
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Nolan gives in a bit to bloated-sequel syndrome ... but this is still one of the most riveting, trilling and wrenching movies of the year.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment 68 Comments
07/28/08
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

[Ledger's] manic zest gives the film its energy.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment 38 Comments
07/25/08
Nick Curtis
This is London

You will exit the cinema with an enhanced respect for Nolan's intelligence, for Wally Pfister's pin-sharp cinematography, and, sadly, for an acting talent tragically curtailed.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment 62 Comments
07/25/08
Anthony Quinn
Independent

The plot is often impossible to follow. And the film, though dark, isn't as deep as some have claimed.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment 399 Comments
07/25/08
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

It's excellent.

Full Review Source: Heart 106.2 | comment 45 Comments
07/25/08
Heart 106.2

The first five-star blockbuster of the year has arrived, and in style.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment 21 Comments
07/25/08
Rob Daniel
Sky Movies

Shouldn't Nolan, marvellous as his directing here is, be creating original films rather than rebooting and retooling franchise fare?

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment 26 Comments
07/25/08
Sukhdev Sandhu
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Watching the first dizzying, vertiginous overhead shot of the glittering skyscrapers and minuscule streets, I literally forgot to breathe for a second or two, and found myself teetering forward on my seat...

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment 25 Comments
07/25/08
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Hugely entertaining, superbly acted and stunningly designed blockbuster that mixes adult themes with spectacular action and actually leaves you wanting more, despite its lengthy running time.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment 6 Comments
07/24/08
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

The Dark Knight is so thrillingly-executed, primeval and exhilarating, it will forever sear itself into your consciousness. It might also be the most intelligent blockbuster movie ever made.

Full Review Source: IGN Movies UK | comment 32 Comments
07/23/08
Orlando Parfitt
IGN Movies UK

The action is devastating, high-wire and realistic.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment 25 Comments
07/22/08
Matthew De Abaitua
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Batman started out as a comic that grew gothic that has turned psychotic. The Dark Knight is one long movie about madness.

Full Review Source: Teletext | comment 10 Comments
07/21/08
Victor Olliver
Teletext

See The Dark Knight and you're guaranteed an exceptionally dark night at the cinema. You'll also see the finest superhero movie in years -- no joke.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment 2 Comments
07/16/08
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Let it be said that [Ledger's is] such a fearless, fierce, menacing turn that comparisons with Jack Nicholson don’t come into it. This is the definitive Joker.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment 10 Comments
07/16/08
Total Film

It's one of this year's most haunting cinematic experiences.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment 3 Comments
07/16/08
Mark Lee
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Nolan cements his position as Hollywood’s premier purveyor of blockbuster smarts.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment 4 Comments
07/15/08
Mark Dinning
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's a dark epic, but thankfully, there are some moments of comic relief.

Full Review Source: Sun Online | comment 8 Comments
07/15/08
Sun Online

The Dark Knight is 152 minutes long but is transfixing and all-enveloping, rather than arduous.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment 7 Comments
07/15/08
Tim Teeman
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The Dark Knight may be the first movie of its kind to substantively, intellectually address the mythos of comic-book action in something vaguely resembling the real world.

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment 9 Comments
07/14/08
Brent Simon
Screen International

Despite its superhero trappings, The Dark Knight is more a piece of film noir.

Full Review Source: Cinefantastique | comment Comment
03/10/09
Steve Biodrowski
Cinefantastique
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for The Dark Knight

June 25, 2009: The Dark Knight Wins Big at Saturn Awards Opens in new window
The 35th annual Saturn Awards were held Wednesday night, with "The Dark Knight" earning a ceremony-high five awards -- including best action/adventure film -- and "Iron Man" and... More...

June 24, 2009: Academy Expands Number of Best Picture Nominees to 10 Opens in new window
With today's news that in February, the Oscars will field 10 best-picture nominees, the horserace that is the Academy Awards promises to look a lot more like - a... More...

April 28, 2009: Bale Crosses Fingers, Hopes Nolan Will Return for TDK Sequel Opens in new window
They've saved the juicy stuff for the print edition, but Total Film has posted a few bits and pieces of its recent interview with Christian Bale -- including some of his... More...

April 01, 2009: Michael Caine Talks Batman 3 Opens in new window
Michael Caine is out promoting his latest feature, "Is Anybody There," but he's perfectly willing to share his thoughts on the next "Batman" sequel -- fortunately for Collider,... More...

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