Is 'The Dark Knight' far and away the best "superhero" film ever made?

I found the film an epic breakthrough for the "comic book film" genre. It's much darker than most superhero films, and encompasses analyses of human society through the Joker's schemes (the boat detonator experiment was well done, for example). To me, TDK is so far ahead of its peers, that it can't really even be compared to say, Iron Man or Spider-Man 2. The two latter films are also largely accepted as excellent superhero movies, but their depth pales in comparison to that of The Dark Knight.

It's very interesting, because the effect of TDK has been dramatic on its own kind. It blurs the lines that typically box in comic book films, such as catering to children or pop mainstream culture. I do believe TDK does some of that catering itself, but not nearly to the extent that every other superhero film has done.

What are your thoughts?

X-men 2 > The Dark Knight

Havent seen it yet, but I doubt ill like it more than V for Vendetta...

It premiers at my theater tomorrow so ill find out then...

X-men 2 > The Dark Knight

Oleg_Huzwog

BLASPHEMY!!

It's Batman! Need anything more be said? I used to sit in my crib as a child singing "na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na BATMAN!!" for hours...xNJN

I would agree in saying The Dark Knight is the best comic book film to be released. Really for me, what made it such an amazing film was the joker though. I can't express how big of a deal this character was too me lol. Heath Ledger did a perfect job IMO and the way it all fitted into the film was amazing. (Crashes the mob boss meeting, bank heist) All works to perfection, he can't slip up.

Batman and Two face were both exciting characters aswell and both brought there own thing to the table. I love all the beliefs and things behind each thing they put into the story.

For me, as an overall film this is definitely one of my favourites, top 5 material.

I see. Most of you agree that it sets the bar.

Oleg_huzwog, could you explain the reasoning behind why you think X-2 is better than TDK? I'd love to debate it.

Also, if any of you would like to read a more full explanation of TDK, visit my blog. I've posted my review there.

I would agree in saying The Dark Knight is the best comic book film to be released. Really for me, what made it such an amazing film was the joker though. I can't express how big of a deal this character was too me lol. Heath Ledger did a perfect job IMO and the way it all fitted into the film was amazing. (Crashes the mob boss meeting, bank heist) All works to perfection, he can't slip up.

Batman and Two face were both exciting characters aswell and both brought there own thing to the table. I love all the beliefs and things behind each thing they put into the story.

For me, as an overall film this is definitely one of my favourites, top 5 material.

Strider_91

I agree. I saw it for the second time today and Ledger was pretty much flawless. He really made the movie. It would not have been as good without him imo.

I would agree in saying The Dark Knight is the best comic book film to be released. Really for me, what made it such an amazing film was the joker though. I can't express how big of a deal this character was too me lol. Heath Ledger did a perfect job IMO and the way it all fitted into the film was amazing. (Crashes the mob boss meeting, bank heist) All works to perfection, he can't slip up.

Batman and Two face were both exciting characters aswell and both brought there own thing to the table. I love all the beliefs and things behind each thing they put into the story.

For me, as an overall film this is definitely one of my favourites, top 5 material.

Strider_91

Absolutely. Ledger was outstanding. A career-defining role for an actor who left too early.

It didn't have that corny comic book feel to it, like the Spiderman movies do, so I thought it was better in that regard. I loved the darkness of the Joker obviously, but the movie seemed a bit lame overall to me.nickyb628

Could you explain why?

Nice sig nicky, but back to the Dark Knight, it had many memorable moments and the first scene is pretty cool.

Best one I've seen.stevenk4k5

Yes at this point it is the best superhero film, because it goes beyond just a "superhero" film, it's pretty much a Crime/Drama movie.MasterKingMP

I would agree. It transcends the genre and expands into an epic crime drama. It's good stuff.

Why does everyone like Iron Man? It was hardly a comic book movie, and not in a good way like TDK.

There was only about 10 minutes of actual fight scenes, not counting a bunch of terrorists who get their asses kicked at the beginning.

[QUOTE="MasterKingMP"]Yes at this point it is the best superhero film, because it goes beyond just a "superhero" film, it's pretty much a Crime/Drama movie.NanakiNebula

I would agree. It transcends the genre and expands into an epic crime drama. It's good stuff.

I think I'd give it a chance then. I hate superhero movies because they are so uncomplex, cheesy, black and white and generally simple but this one sounds like it's different.

Why does everyone like Iron Man? It was hardly a comic book movie, and not in a good way like TDK.

There was only about 10 minutes of actual fight scenes, not counting a bunch of terrorists who get their asses kicked at the beginning.

Cyber-Shadow

It takes more skill to make a good film without numerous grandiose fight scenes.

"There was only about 10 minutes of actual fight scenes." That's not very good reasoning.

[QUOTE="NanakiNebula"]

[QUOTE="MasterKingMP"]Yes at this point it is the best superhero film, because it goes beyond just a "superhero" film, it's pretty much a Crime/Drama movie.BlackAlpha666

I would agree. It transcends the genre and expands into an epic crime drama. It's good stuff.

I think I'd give it a chance then. I hate superhero movies because they are so uncomplex, black and white and generally simple but this one sounds like it's different.

BlackAlpha, it's definitely worth a shot. Give it a try; it's very different from your typical superhero flick. Read my review in my blog for some more info.

Yes it is; it's almost insulting that it's labelled as a superhero movie... :xsuper_mario_128

This film is the best Ive ever seen, and I have seen alot.

Ledgers last performance was an amazing one. He went out with a huge bang and I will personally never forget his work. He captured the insanity of The Joker. With the insane laugh, the slow type of talking, the scar stories. And we cant forget the magik trick.

Best Superhero film is arguable. It was definately the best Batman film and in reality, Batman is more of an anti-hero than a superhero.

[QUOTE="Cyber-Shadow"]

Why does everyone like Iron Man? It was hardly a comic book movie, and not in a good way like TDK.

There was only about 10 minutes of actual fight scenes, not counting a bunch of terrorists who get their asses kicked at the beginning.

NanakiNebula

It takes more skill to make a good film without numerous grandiose fight scenes.

"There was only about 10 minutes of actual fight scenes." That's not very good reasoning.

[QUOTE="nickyb628"]It didn't have that corny comic book feel to it, like the Spiderman movies do, so I thought it was better in that regard. I loved the darkness of the Joker obviously, but the movie seemed a bit lame overall to me.NanakiNebula

Could you explain why?

Batman didn't seem convincing? That voiceover and just the scenes he was in seemed lame. His fighting wasn't all that cool, I don't know it's hard for me to put my finger on it.

dsan224, I agree that TDK doesn't stick to the usual script with your average happy ending. I l-o-v-e the fact that at the end, Bruce tells Commissioner Gordon that he is "whatever Gotham needs him to be." That truly embodies the character.

Cyber-Shadow, give it another watch. It's a quality film. Try teaching yourself to see past the appeal of glitzy fight scenes; you'll be able to do it, since you liked TDK.

nickyb628, hmm, you didn't really tell me much, lol. But I thought Batman's fight scenes were great because they weren't overdone. He just uses traditional fight techniques and muay thai to battle foes; it is actually much more realistic this way. The voiceover is indeed a bit of a distraction, but it's a minor gripe, no?

dsan224, I agree that TDK doesn't stick to the usual script with your average happy ending. I l-o-v-e the fact that at the end, Bruce tells Commissioner Gordon that he is "whatever Gotham needs him to be." That truly embodies the character.

Cyber-Shadow, give it another watch. It's a quality film. Try teaching yourself to see past the appeal of glitzy fight scenes; you'll be able to do it, since you liked TDK.

nickyb628, hmm, you didn't really tell me much, lol. But I thought Batman's fight scenes were great because they weren't overdone. He just uses traditional fight techniques and muay thai to battle foes; it is actually much more realistic this way. The voiceover is indeed a bit of a distraction, but it's a minor gripe, no?

NanakiNebula

Yeah it is a minor gripe, that's true. The fighting scenes were indeed more realistic, but I think it was the fact that the Joker took over the whole movie which made everything else pale in comparison. Does that make sense?

Yeah it is a minor gripe, that's true. The fighting scenes were indeed more realistic, but I think it was the fact that the Joker took over the whole movie which made everything else pale in comparison. Does that make sense?

nickyb628

Makes sense to me. The Joker stole the show and any scene without him seemed a little dull. The score was incredible aswell; it really built up the tension, especially during the fund-raiser and memorial scene in the public square.

[QUOTE="NanakiNebula"]

dsan224, I agree that TDK doesn't stick to the usual script with your average happy ending. I l-o-v-e the fact that at the end, Bruce tells Commissioner Gordon that he is "whatever Gotham needs him to be." That truly embodies the character.

Cyber-Shadow, give it another watch. It's a quality film. Try teaching yourself to see past the appeal of glitzy fight scenes; you'll be able to do it, since you liked TDK.

nickyb628, hmm, you didn't really tell me much, lol. But I thought Batman's fight scenes were great because they weren't overdone. He just uses traditional fight techniques and muay thai to battle foes; it is actually much more realistic this way. The voiceover is indeed a bit of a distraction, but it's a minor gripe, no?

nickyb628

Yeah it is a minor gripe, that's true. The fighting scenes were indeed more realistic, but I think it was the fact that the Joker took over the whole movie which made everything else pale in comparison. Does that make sense?

I have an idea of what you mean, at the least. I thought Joker's massive shadow over the film did it wonders, though, particularly because Ledger's performance was stellar. He really put the anchor in the film, giving it the weight to last.

Trelaf_TheWise, some fans will indeed impress on people the thought that there is a degree of realism achieved in this film that is not really there. Given that this is a film centered on a CEO playboy by day who fights crime as a batsuit-wearing vigilante by night, it has to be understood that a high degree of realism is achieved within the confines of its comic realm. It's managed it better than any film before it, and in that, it derives its credibility.

xaos, the point of the thread is to discuss the film. Objectivity is not even expected. Subjective views are welcome because, obviously, they add to the discussion.

my dark knight topic was closed :( so now i'll be here! the topic i made was more comedic and this one is more serious. i just have to say this...

why so serious??

Yeah dsan i saw lol for pretty poor reasons aswell.. dont see any spoiler tags here either.Strider_91

The film's been out for two weeks now.

Yeah dsan i saw lol for pretty poor reasons aswell.. dont see any spoiler tags here either.Strider_91

yeah, i don't really know why it was closed its not like there was cursing or misconduct. it was just a change of topic from avatars to the movie, good clean discussion

Trelaf_TheWise, some fans will indeed impress on people the thought that there is a degree of realism achieved in this film that is not really there. Given that this is a film centered on a CEO playboy by day who fights crime as a batsuit-wearing vigilante by night, it has to be understood that a high degree of realism is achieved within the confines of its comic realm. It's managed it better than any film before it, and in that, it derives its credibility.

xaos, the point of the thread is to discuss the film. Objectivity is not even expected. Subjective views are welcome because, obviously, they add to the discussion.

NanakiNebula

Yes I agree, but my point is: Thats not saying much. There is not one superhero movie in which the universe seamed credible enough to make me think the events could actually happen(the superheroes and superpowers not withstanding of course). The Dark Knight achieves more in this department than the usual superhero movies, but IMO still not enough to set itself apart from the usual crap and into a position where it isn't suitable to identify it as a "superhero movie". Most fanboys believe that IS the case, but I'm glad you're not one of them and see the movie for what it is.