Cruz Costelo (CruzCostelo)

"Expect the unexpected in this Nolan's masterpiece"

I saw the 3:00 a.m. screening at IMAX, and to all of yous that are going to see it, I must warn you: BE PREPARED for some serious HEAVY shit! And to all the Batman fans I must warn you twice!

First of all this is not a "comic-book" movie, its a "movie" based on a comic-book that resonates today's real world, so don't expect the kind of fun you had with Iron-man. Nolan blends the comic-book myths into realistic situations: What would really happen or what are the consequences if a man behind a mask takes justice into his own hands? that is actually a question raised at the end of Batman Begins when Gordon (Oldman) talks about "escalation", he tells Batman that there are consequences to his actions and those consequences are (I must say again) realistically formulated in TDK. So (again) realistic doesn't mean campy! BUT it doesn't mean that the action has to be too logical either, after all is Batman we're talking about and Batman needs some GOOD (over-the-top) action sequences, and these will deliver thrills and will leave you stunted!

Nolan doesn't bother explaining a linear straight story even though its chronological but multi-layered and every layer function as a puzzle you have to solve on your own, and its not hard to do so, as the movie unravels itself. What is straight and linear is the feeling and timing you get throughout the movie, as the 150 min. pass you will feel you haven't waste a second, and this is why my friends: its a MASTERPIECE! a SYMPHONY! an OPERA! : it is long but just literally.
This movie is intentionally good, every image is pictured and edited on purpose yet it still has that "I don't know what it is" quality like Spiderman 2, then again its intentionally good like Coppola's The Godfather, not something accidental like Casablanca. its hard to put into words what I'm saying but hope you'll understand.
There is something raw, visceral, artistic, beautiful and dramatic with the WOW factor always present. Nolan sucks you in, makes you exited, happy, thrilled and then rips you apart with no tenderness.Hey that's just the way Chris Nolan is.

If this movie was a boxer's body: people think Heath Leadger's amazing performance is the heart of the movie, well NO! Christopher Nolan is the heart of this movie, its his movie, and it has his heart and brains! Leadger (R.I.P.) is just eye-candy, he is the left hand in the movie's body, Heath's the jab. That makes Bale and Eckart the backbone. and the legs? the rest of the supporting cast (Caine, Freeman And Gyllenhaal). the script is its visceras and the action its right hand: the one that once in a while punch us and surprise us (not saying the action is short)
Yes, it is the best movie based on a comicbook. It's funny how Nolan talks about escalation in BB, because in our world it aludes to movies, in this case the comicbook movies: what is coming after this? what are the consequences of daring to make a superhero movie like this? the hero-flicks are gonna change because Nolan has raised the standard.

So in this chess match we've been checked mate because of:

THE KING: Christopher Nolan, the director.
THE QUEEN: Heath Ledger*(R.I.P.) you can't take your eyes off him
THE TOWER: Nolan Bros. and Goyer-the story, the screenplay.
THE BISHOP: the cast (all are mesmerizing) and the cinematography*
THE PAWNS: the crew
THE DARK KNIGHT*: the masterpiece

* I think they are oscar worthy, though the academy probably will think they're too hot for hero-films.