At the best of times, it is easy. When the chips are down and odds seemingly insurmountable, can you count on conscience and heart to do the right thing? Maybe you can. But what happens in a situation of panic where people wrestle with the possibility of horrible death? Throw this option at two tribes, one with 'common men and women' and another, caught criminals. Both have the option of saving themselves by killing the other. Will those in nice clothes, coiffed hair and shiny shoes do the right thing? What is the right thing? Can we trust those who have done wrong before, have they been rehabilitated enough? Which flicks the switch, presses the button, sends the blade sliding down? And why doesn't the other? Do we share the same ideas of right and wrong?
These are the questions proffered in the new Batman film, The Dark Knight. Haha. What a set up you're thinking, and all this from a film. At the pivotal moment in the film, the answer was yes and fortunately, humanity prevails the right way in the film. I shan't (think that is first time I have used that word in the blog) spoil the ending or how the film unfolds but beyond all the action and brilliant acting, it is a thinker's film. Or maybe I thought too hard about it that it became a thinker's film.
There has been a lot of thought that has gone on into what Batman is, wants to be and what the people Gotham think he is or should be. It is apparent that this complexity feeds the criminal minds in the new instalment, who proceed to take advantage of perceived reality and manipulate the good guys. This perceived reality goes beyond "oh who is behind the mask" arguments to fundamental identity issues that eat away at Batman's character and values, and also at the values the common people of Gotham believe in. The first bit we saw that in Batman Begins and the struggle continues here in this new film too. The second bit is fresh, and we are treated to the two faces (haha!) of who we can be as 'civilised' people - all in a short 15mins.
Go watch the film. Bloody brilliant. Frightening, entertaining. (I don't know if Heath Ledger did enough to earn a win, now that all this talk about a potential nomination for Best Actor is wafting about, but he deserves a good pat on the back for his portrayal of the Joker. Loved the uniform and wig, haha!)
2 comments:
That ferry scene was awesome, especially the part where the big burly guy took the detonator and threw it overboard.
loved the scene where the joker performed the 'magic trick' with the pencil. simple yet able to show how twisted he is.
Post a Comment