film reviews – The Dark Knight, and Wall-E
Firstly The Dark Knight.
Saw this a couple of days ago, actually on the first day of release here, always a nice feeling : )
I have to admit I went into this film with quite a lot of anticipation, not only had I really enjoyed Batman Begins, I think Christopher Nolan is a fantastic director. Memento and The Prestige are amazing films I think, both play with head, and I love that in films and books, both also have slightly ambiguous endings, which I also whole heartedly approve of!
So that is how I went into the film, I had a level of expectation which had to be met, and I was sure it would be.
So, was it met, well yes, however, I can’t give it 10 out of 10.
One of the best things about the film was also almost its undoing.
Heath Ledger’s performance was amazing, and I have to say, he does deserve a Best Supporting Actor nomination, as whenever he was on the screen you were drawn to him and whatever he did, however awful, and dreadful he was being at the time.
And that was the problem, the other main characters just were not as interesting, where as in Batman Begins the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman was clearly the main role he did not dominate in the way that the Joker does. Christian Bale is woefully under used in The Dark Knight, and that is a great shame.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is far superior in the role of Rachel Dawes which is great, not enough Michael Caine or Morgan Freeman, but Gary Oldman was fantastic again, and I really enjoyed watching him.
So, a great film, fantastic set pieces, especially The Joker in a different outfit, you’ll know what I mean if you have seen the film!
It is a really good film, but I didn’t find myself as attached as I wanted to. There is loads of other stuff about it, but you should make your own mind up on that!
Right, Wall-E, we saw this yesterday morning with the boys, who were more excited about seeing a film than ever before, so the level of anticipation was huge all round!
Well it was amazing, so wonderful, and I would happy go and watch it again, right now!! To be honest I don’t know where to start, it was perfect!
I love Pixar, Toy Story 2 is one of my favourite films, I love Bugs Life, and The Incredibles, and Finding Nemo, so how could they top all of those? Well they did, and some more on top!
The characters in the film were spot on, the way it looked was amazing, I knew that Roger Deakins had been involved, and that I guessed sort of prepared me for the stunning way the film looked. The sounds of the film were created by Ben Burtt, a genius of film sound creation (if you love Star Wars you know what I mean!). I’m gushing, but I can’t help it!
There were references to many other films, references that children wouldn’t even notice, they don’t glare, they just add another layer of love.
Look don’t read this, go and see it, everyone will love it, everyone, and you know what, this should be nominated for Best Picture when it is the Oscars, it truly deserves it!
Oh, and I cried at least three times while watching it!
27th July 2008 @ 9:32 pm
i’m going to watch the dark knight on wednesday and am so excited!!!
also wan’t to see wall-e but not sure my 3.7yr old will sit through it he is very wrigglesome!
love those over the body bags and the teacher gifts too.
28th July 2008 @ 10:52 am
I much preferred Batman Begins for its believability but it must be hard to make a great film where you want to balance the presence of the protagonists, both good and bad, which is exactly how this film felt to me.
Wall-e was just fantastic in its simplicity of ideas, it couldn’t have been better. A beautiful film, not all about effects and graphics but about innocence – human and non-human.
29th July 2008 @ 5:07 pm
I saw Batman over the weekend as well and enjoyed it. I wasn’t too fond of Maggie as Rachel but I did like the movie and the time did not seem to drag on for such a long film.
As for Wall-e, my son went to see it with his father so i am going to have to try and catch it on my own.
31st July 2008 @ 9:53 pm
Oh Raspberry I am so amused that I have been reading your blog for the last 6 months at least and so many times “oooouhhed” and “ahhhhhhhed” at your designs but in the end it has been the thought of wall-E that tempted me to comment. I agree with your appraisal of Heath – what a superstar. Dont big up wall-E any more – I am already totally over excited about seeing it as it is.
Re your designs – they are a total inspiration. Really beautiful…………I keep planning to copy them and make something gorgeous but never get round to it. Will send on a photo of the homage if it ever happens
BW
Emma
3rd August 2008 @ 1:34 am
I have watched Wall-E aswell and I totally agree with you, it is the most wonderfull film, and it is so sweet.