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How big is the hype machine for The Dark Knight? Here are just a few glimpses of the TOTAL FUCKING INSANITY that has gripped the Internet (and quite possibly the WORLD) over this film.
- Months before anyone ever saw the movie, critics and online fans were screaming out for Heath Ledger to get an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker. Personally, I blame Michael Caine. As soon as he suggested that Ledger was deserving of an award, everybody believed him – I assume they decided that he should get an Oscar for the TRAILER or some bullshit. People, don’t listen to Michael Caine. I know he’s great and funny and kind of adorable in that “English grandpa” way, but he also doesn’t know what the hell’s going on half the time. He fucking starred in Jaws: The Revenge, for the love of Pete.
- A week before it was released, First Showing called The Dark Knight “An extraordinary cinematic revolution” that “will change movies forever.” This apparently inspired other critics who had been to early screenings to hail the film as “One of the greatest movies ever made” or, for those feeling just an eensy bit less charitable, “The finest film since The Godfather Part II.” Only a little bit of hyperbole, I’m sure.
- Speaking of which… within 48 hours of the movie being released, The Dark Knight had become the top-ranked movie on the IMDB. A position it still holds as of the time of this writing. If you’re curious, the rest of the Top 5 consists of The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather Part II and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Yes, clearly The Dark Knight is better than all those silly bitches…
- Critics who have posted mediocre or negative reviews on the "RottenTomatoes" and "MetaCritic" sites have reported receiving numerous death threats because of their contrary opinions. Oh my god, Becky.
In this environment, NO film can survive its own hype. And to be sure, The Dark Knight is NOT that awesome. It is quite a good movie. It is a damn fine sequel to the excellent Batman Begins. It is not a cinematic revolution. It’s not even the best comic book movie I’ve ever seen. Shit, I wouldn’t call it the best this summer. I know I’m a hardcore, long-time Batman fan – hell, I might call him my single favorite character of all time with a completely straight face – and maybe that makes me view these things with a more critical eye. But I only know my own perspective, and from where I’m sitting, this movie has got some very real problems. They pale next to its good points, but the fact remains: This movie does not deserve this level of hype.
That’s not something to be ashamed of. No movie deserves this level of hype unless it cures cancer or instantaneously brings about world peace.
Let’s go character-by-character, shall we?
( Breakdown of how I felt about each character, as light on spoilers as humanly possible, plus the rest of the review. )
- Months before anyone ever saw the movie, critics and online fans were screaming out for Heath Ledger to get an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker. Personally, I blame Michael Caine. As soon as he suggested that Ledger was deserving of an award, everybody believed him – I assume they decided that he should get an Oscar for the TRAILER or some bullshit. People, don’t listen to Michael Caine. I know he’s great and funny and kind of adorable in that “English grandpa” way, but he also doesn’t know what the hell’s going on half the time. He fucking starred in Jaws: The Revenge, for the love of Pete.
- A week before it was released, First Showing called The Dark Knight “An extraordinary cinematic revolution” that “will change movies forever.” This apparently inspired other critics who had been to early screenings to hail the film as “One of the greatest movies ever made” or, for those feeling just an eensy bit less charitable, “The finest film since The Godfather Part II.” Only a little bit of hyperbole, I’m sure.
- Speaking of which… within 48 hours of the movie being released, The Dark Knight had become the top-ranked movie on the IMDB. A position it still holds as of the time of this writing. If you’re curious, the rest of the Top 5 consists of The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather Part II and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Yes, clearly The Dark Knight is better than all those silly bitches…
- Critics who have posted mediocre or negative reviews on the "RottenTomatoes" and "MetaCritic" sites have reported receiving numerous death threats because of their contrary opinions. Oh my god, Becky.
In this environment, NO film can survive its own hype. And to be sure, The Dark Knight is NOT that awesome. It is quite a good movie. It is a damn fine sequel to the excellent Batman Begins. It is not a cinematic revolution. It’s not even the best comic book movie I’ve ever seen. Shit, I wouldn’t call it the best this summer. I know I’m a hardcore, long-time Batman fan – hell, I might call him my single favorite character of all time with a completely straight face – and maybe that makes me view these things with a more critical eye. But I only know my own perspective, and from where I’m sitting, this movie has got some very real problems. They pale next to its good points, but the fact remains: This movie does not deserve this level of hype.
That’s not something to be ashamed of. No movie deserves this level of hype unless it cures cancer or instantaneously brings about world peace.
Let’s go character-by-character, shall we?
( Breakdown of how I felt about each character, as light on spoilers as humanly possible, plus the rest of the review. )
3 monsters destroyed | destroy all monsters