If Batman Begins popular, Dark Knight was a sensation – and controversial too. I remember listening to a radio debate over whether the film should have been rated 12A because of its darkness and violence, and while it wasn’t particularly gory, the film certainly covered some serious themes.
Christopher Nolan’s second film is remembered for its depiction of the famous Joker character, played by the late Heath Ledger. It’s clear from the start that he doesn’t play by the normal rules, and he displays a delight in his violence that often edges towards sadism. Even in the opening bank robbery, he kills his colleagues and leaves the bank manager with a live grenade in his mouth.
But the Joker is more than just a comic book villain shown through a darker lens. He is a representation of the new evil faced by the West. The interactions between him and his (initially) good friend Harvey Dent increase Dark Knight from a well-constructed and entertaining superhero film to a study of the Western psyche in the 2000s. Different from Batman BeginsThe film’s intrigue lies not in the characters’ own motivations, but rather in the parallels it draws with the post-9/11 world.
Heroes and villains
The Joker represents terrorist, anarchic evil that Alfred considers “just.” [wants] to watch the world burn†. The terror is unpredictable – it can appear anywhere, at any time, and through any means. Even when cornered, he enjoys chaos, daring Batman to break his one rule and kill him. He is too much even for the common criminals of Gotham, who see him as a “freak.”
The opposing force was the new district attorney, Harvey Dent, who played Uncle Sam and represented the US. Dent represents purity and justice, and is involved in a major operation to clean up the rest of Falcone’s crime syndicate. Her dedication is such that she wins the heart of the initially skeptical Bruce Wayne despite his involvement with his girlfriend, Rachel Dawes.
Wayne sees Dent as a path to a future where Gotham doesn’t need Batman (and where he can finally settle down with Rachel himself). But Joker has another fate in mind for all of them. Dent’s famous line is prophetic of his own story, but it can also serve as an analogy for the reputation of the United States at the turn of the 21st century.
“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain.†– Harvey Dent
Action and reaction
The Joker’s cruel scheme has Dent and Rachel tied up in a warehouse designed to explode. Batman saves Dent, but Rachel is killed, and the sense of injustice is enough to make Dent turn. Half of his face was destroyed by the explosion, and one side of his double-headed lucky coin was burned. Harvey Dent is no longer a good guy.
The shot of firefighters standing in the ruins of a building is reminiscent of 9/11, and Dent’s desire for revenge has parallels with the attitude of the US government and Western societies after horrific attacks on their own soil. Dent thinks that Gordon and Batman are trying to be “nice guys in a bad time,” but he doesn’t think that’s an adequate response to what’s happening.
His subsequent rampage, as he searches for those he feels are responsible or who could better protect Rachel, could be likened to a cruel and ultimately ill-advised War on Terror. The Joker’s actions have destroyed Dent’s integrity, and he ruthlessly attacks the world to seek revenge.
“[The Joker] want to prove that even someone as good as you can fall.” – Batman
Meanwhile, Wayne shows Fox a new toy he developed – he uses citizens’ cell phones to map Gotham via sonar to help him track crimes. Fox’s ethical concerns reflect criticism of the increased state power granted by laws such as the Patriot Act following the terrorist attacks of the early 2000s, and – more prophetically – the PRISM program exposed by Edward Snowden.
Gotham’s white knight
Joker then explains that he thinks the people of Gotham will lose their faith in goodness when they hear of Dent’s revenge. Much like the atrocities of real-life terrorists, the Joker’s actions have made them view their neighbors with suspicion – even choosing for and against blowing them up during the ferry dilemma scene.
The interesting thing, and the final highlight of this masterpiece, is that Batman defeats the Joker not only physically but also in information warfare. He bears the consequences of Dent’s crimes so that his image and legacy can remain pure in the minds of the people and their belief in goodness and justice can be maintained.
“Sometimes the truth isn’t good enough… Sometimes people deserve to have their beliefs rewarded.†– Batman
Dark Knight ends with perhaps the most iconic moment in the trilogy as the police begin to hunt Batman. The music swells. Gordon’s son, whom Batman has just saved from Dent, questions why he is being chased. Unable to properly explain the complex situation to such a young child, Gordon simply states that Batman is “the hero Gotham deserves, but not the hero it needs right now.”
This film is considered the best in the series, but I think mostly for the wrong reasons. It works as a comic book movie – the characters, story, and set pieces are all fantastic – but Dark Knight stands out because it’s not about cartoon good and evil. It is a reflection of the uncertainty of the world’s response to a new and dangerous challenge, and a threat to our entire moral compass.
5/5
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