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Another mixed response to The Dark Knight, this time from Newsweek's David Ansen. Calling it an "impressive, and sometimes oppressive, epic," he says "there's not a touch of lightness in Christian Bale's taut, angst-ridden superhero, and as the two-and-a-half-hour movie enters its second half, the unvarying intensity and the sometimes confusing action sequences take a toll. You may emerge more exhausted than elated. Nolan wants to prove that a superhero movie needn't be disposable, effects-ridden junk food, and you have to admire his ambition. But this is Batman, not 'Hamlet.' Call me shallow, but I wish it were a little more fun."

Lesson in Modesty<< previous | next >>Woodshed

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 13, 2008 at 12:16 PM

comment #1

cinefan says ...

Ansen does, however, provide yet another rave for Ledger's performance...he seems all but assured of a posthumous Oscar nod, at least at this point in time.

Posted by cinefan at July 13, 2008 12:25 PM

comment #2

romeoisbleeding says ...

Just curious.. the Oscar balloon on this site has Ledger in the best Actor category. Is this pretty much agreed upon that he is going to win in this category or will some see him winning the best supporting actor? Thanx.

Posted by romeoisbleeding at July 13, 2008 12:34 PM

comment #3

hollyman says ...

The majority of reviews are raving about The Dark Knight. I'm sure Wells had this but check out this Variety Review http://www.variety.com/VE1117937619.html

Check this review out as well http://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/?p=673

Posted by hollyman at July 13, 2008 12:35 PM

comment #4

Mr. Gittes says ...

Time to see the film, Jeff. When are you? Or have you seen Knight already?

Posted by Mr. Gittes at July 13, 2008 12:47 PM

comment #5

p.Vice says ...

Confusing action? NO! Blasphemy!!!! But meanwhile David Edelstein says "Nolan appears to have no clue how to stage or shoot action."

Who the fuck would've thought?

Posted by p.Vice at July 13, 2008 1:02 PM

comment #6

gradystiles says ...

hollyman, if you're going to pimp your own blog, at least be a little more subtle about it. What you're doing verges on spam.

Posted by gradystiles at July 13, 2008 1:46 PM

comment #7

televisiontears says ...

I'm not going to defend the film before I've had the chance to see it, but I feel reviews like this contribute greatly to the stagnancy of studio output. I think some critics (and most casual filmgoers) prefer to have their genres seperated, and maybe feel conficted when, say, a tentpole action film doesn't deliver the lighthearted, big budget spectacle they feel entitled to. No surprises = no disappointment

It's this general atmosphere of "film 'A' should be like film 'B' before it - only bigger and better" that leads financiers to take fewer risks now than ever before. It's this fear of general exploration and cinematic growth that has studios wary of films like Spike Jonez's and Dave Eggers' "Where the Wild Things Are". Whatever happened with that, by the way?

Posted by televisiontears at July 13, 2008 1:59 PM

comment #8

D.Z. says ...

vice: "But meanwhile David Edelstein says "Nolan appears to have no clue how to stage or shoot action."

Wouldn't be surprised, since the last movie swiped its driving scenes from the Revolutionary Girl Utena movie, and that rail scene from the Cowboy Bebop movie...

Posted by D.Z. at July 13, 2008 2:00 PM

comment #9

actionman says ...

amazing! p.Vice with yet another negative comment! the world gasps with shock!

Posted by actionman at July 13, 2008 2:11 PM

comment #10

Mjs says ...

Guys like P Vice and DZ think it makes them cool to just hate on everything. It doesn't. It makes you seem bitter, and angry.

Posted by Mjs at July 13, 2008 2:32 PM

comment #11

sumo-pop says ...

Man, it almost looks like you're looking for reasons to dislike it. So far with 15 reviews in at rottentomatoes.com it's at 100% and most of those reviews are raves. Sometimes it's okay not to be the contrarian.

Posted by sumo-pop at July 13, 2008 3:04 PM

comment #12

Filmsnob says ...

Mjs says ...
Guys like P Vice and DZ think it makes them cool to just hate on everything. It doesn't. It makes you seem bitter, and angry.

I bet you they have small penises:)
Mad at the world!

Posted by Filmsnob at July 13, 2008 3:08 PM

comment #13

D.Z. says ...

Mj: I didn't hate Batman Begins, but it doesn't have much replay value for me.

Posted by D.Z. at July 13, 2008 6:15 PM

comment #14

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