"The Dark Knight" returns
John Gregg
Issue date: 5/19/08 Section: Entertainment
"The Dark Knight," the blockbuster sequel to 2005's hit superhero thriller, "Batman Begins," opens July 18, 2008, after over two years of anticipation by fans.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, "The Dark Knight" stars Christian Bale as Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, Gary Oldman as James Gordon and the late Heath Ledger as the Joker. With the new cast in place, this movie promises more crime-fighting action than its predecessor.
When we last saw the caped crusader, he was making a name for himself as Gotham City's sole costumed hero. Using an array of high-tech gadgets, he battled ruthless gangsters and villains bent on destruction. This time around, Batman faces his greatest challenge yet in the form of the psychotic Joker.
According to the official plot synopsis, Batman joins forces with James Gordon and Harvey Dent to put an end to crime's reign over Gotham. But they are unprepared for the Joker who ushers in a new breed of terror and anarchy.
Ledger's Joker is much darker than the previous on-screen version made popular by Jack Nicholson in 1989. Several iconic trademarks of the character, like the white face and the purple elements of his wardrobe, remain.
However, this Joker sports greasy hair and a smile that appears to be a gruesome pair of red scars rather than a coating of lipstick. Ledger himself called his Joker "a psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy."
Ledger's death this past January casts an eerie feeling over the project. But the filmmakers intend to proceed with the scheduled release as a way to remember the talent he brought to the project. The planned third film is now in question, but not impossible.
"The Dark Knight" is still expected to draw a large audience in spite of, and perhaps because of, Ledger's tragic death. But the director maintains moviegoers will be able to look beyond that and see the film for what it is--a great movie.
While the Joker might not appear in a third installment, Eckhart's character, Harvey Dent, is confirmed to become Two-Face at some point in "The Dark Knight." Two-Face is another iconic member of the rouges gallery, and it is likely he would feature prominently in a second sequel.
There's no doubt fans enjoy Nolan's darker, more realistic vision of Batman. Ever since viewing the final scene of "Begins" in which the first of many Joker cards is unveiled, there has been an eager anticipation to see the Joker himself.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, "The Dark Knight" stars Christian Bale as Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, Gary Oldman as James Gordon and the late Heath Ledger as the Joker. With the new cast in place, this movie promises more crime-fighting action than its predecessor.
When we last saw the caped crusader, he was making a name for himself as Gotham City's sole costumed hero. Using an array of high-tech gadgets, he battled ruthless gangsters and villains bent on destruction. This time around, Batman faces his greatest challenge yet in the form of the psychotic Joker.
According to the official plot synopsis, Batman joins forces with James Gordon and Harvey Dent to put an end to crime's reign over Gotham. But they are unprepared for the Joker who ushers in a new breed of terror and anarchy.
Ledger's Joker is much darker than the previous on-screen version made popular by Jack Nicholson in 1989. Several iconic trademarks of the character, like the white face and the purple elements of his wardrobe, remain.
However, this Joker sports greasy hair and a smile that appears to be a gruesome pair of red scars rather than a coating of lipstick. Ledger himself called his Joker "a psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy."
Ledger's death this past January casts an eerie feeling over the project. But the filmmakers intend to proceed with the scheduled release as a way to remember the talent he brought to the project. The planned third film is now in question, but not impossible.
"The Dark Knight" is still expected to draw a large audience in spite of, and perhaps because of, Ledger's tragic death. But the director maintains moviegoers will be able to look beyond that and see the film for what it is--a great movie.
While the Joker might not appear in a third installment, Eckhart's character, Harvey Dent, is confirmed to become Two-Face at some point in "The Dark Knight." Two-Face is another iconic member of the rouges gallery, and it is likely he would feature prominently in a second sequel.
There's no doubt fans enjoy Nolan's darker, more realistic vision of Batman. Ever since viewing the final scene of "Begins" in which the first of many Joker cards is unveiled, there has been an eager anticipation to see the Joker himself.