Archive Analysis: "The Dark Knight"

Zach's Favorite Movie #16

The Dark Knight
Directed by: Chris Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart,
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine
Rated:PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace (borderline R in my opinion)

Few films have had the financial success, critical reception, and overwhelming popularity than that of Chris Nolan’s second Batman film, The Dark Knight. Much can be said (and has been) as to why the film was so popular, ranging from the success of the first film, to the strong production value, to even the chilling performance of the late Heath Ledger. Some have even attributed it to the film’s “darkness”, and called on other superhero franchises to follow suit. This, of course, is inaccurate. What sets The Dark Knight apart from other superhero films is it’s depth. When most comic books are adapted into a mere sensual experience (meaning they rely heavily on the senses), The Dark Knight brings more than just another fight scene and explosion to the screen.

After watching it in theaters, I left relatively disappointed. I was expecting another comic book movie, and definitely didn’t get that experience. Yet, unlike other graphic novel adaptations, I felt compelled to watch it again (and again, and again..). And, upon each subsequent viewing, I feel more connected to the themes and issues that Nolan and company were trying to convey. He certainly wasn’t making another comic book movie.

The most obvious themes are that of the Joker’s nihilistic evilness, or being evil for no real tangible reason. Reviewers (including those in World Magazine) compared the Joker to the devil, but I feel this is totally missing Nolan’s point. The Joker is attempting to show the evilness of humanity, and not the evilness of evil, itself. When he places humanity in similar situations, he feels that they, too, will become evil, like him. In fact, the only time in the movie that he gets visibly frustrated with people is when they say he’s crazy, with him responding in a serious tone “no I’m not,” as if to say “you are no different.” While humanity certainly doesn’t go to the extremes that the Joker goes to, one has to acknowledge and wrestle with the Joker’s belief: mankind is naturally evil.

But, don’t give up hope. Nolan also gives a figure and symbol of good. One who fights evil and helps his fellow man. He even goes as far as to take the responsibility for guilty man’s actions, in order to “save” the people of Gotham. This self-sacrificing response to pure evil is Nolan’s response to the Joker’s nihilism. While certain not what most would consider a “Christian film”, one can’t deny the beautiful Christ-like imagery of the final five minutes of the film. For that, alone, one has to consider The Dark Knight as a heroic film.