The Fanboy Feature - The Dark Knight

As if I couldn't write something about the summer's biggest movie.

Yes, even in my current vegetative state, I am still compelled to write my reflections about a blockbuster as singularly good as The Dark Knight (yes, the grammar sucks, that's why I used the word 'vegetative').

It's statistically improbable that you haven't already heard about the film's instant success (I mean, you are using the internet right now, right?), so I won't reiterate the critics' ravings about how good the story was, how amazing the effects were, or even talk much about Heath Ledger's chilling performance as the Joker.

I should say, however, that the Dark Knight clearly raises the bar for the entire superhero movie genre - it's a much darker and more cerebral film than Iron Man or Spiderman ever was. In fact, it's a much more sombre movie than Batman Begins as well, as the bulk of the movie does not rely on the 'invention' of Batman, but on the moral dilemmas that he faces now that he has established himself as an icon.

You don't leave from the Dark Knight thinking "Oh, that one fighting scene was so cool", or "Man, I wish I could drive the batpod". In fact, you don't even leave the theatre with the child-like fantasy of imagining what it would be like to leap around as the caped crusader. Unlike all other superhero films, you don't want to be Batman at all - you pity the character and the burden he's left with. It's rare to experience such a bittersweet aftertaste from a movie, and it's really remarkable that with all the wild stunts and special effects, the Dark Knight's true impact comes from its grounding in real world ethics and it's frightening portrayal of the Joker's madness.

Man, I can only hope the Watchmen will be this good.