Does “The Dark Knight” Stand the Test of Time?
Harvey Dent says that you either die a hero, or you live long enough to become the villain. Does this mantra apply to “The Dark Knight” seventeen years later? Hundred Tomatoes seeks to crack this case
Disclaimer: For those who prefer the destination over the journey (there will be spoilers in this), you can scroll down to the very bottom to find the answer to this question, along with a “TL;DR” synopsis as to how we reached our verdict.
Two types of people exist in this world: the ones who at some point in their life, either privately or publicly, attempt to impersonate Christian Bale’s gruff, hyper deep, absurdly masculine yet meme able Batman voice from Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy, and the absolute buzzkills who hate fun.
In all seriousness, if you do not yell out something along the lines of, “I’M BATMAN” or any of the other memorable lines of his from these movies, you need to reconsider your life priorities. Try your best impersonation right now… I’ll wait… Unless you’re in a public place reading this, then feel free to read this whole retrospective silently with the voice in your head.
Most millennial moviegoers remember Christian Bale’s rendition most prominently, but the film world behind Batman possesses a ton of depth and breadth. Back in 1966, the caped crusader made his debut on the big screen, aptly titled “Batman” starring the legendary Adam West (may he rest in peace) donning a cape, mask and costume that you might be able to find at your local Spirit of Halloween these days. If you like campy vibes on par with the Boy Scouts of America, and a cheesiness that makes Chuck E. Cheese look like a fine dining establishment, be sure to check it out. You can thank me later.
Over time, with one exception, the role began to take a progressively more serious tone to it. Others to take up the mantle include Michael Keaton over twenty years after West’s debut, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Ben Affleck (AKA “Batfleck) most recently, Robert Pattinson, and of course, who could forget Kevin Conroy, who voiced the world’s greatest detective for anything animated over course of many years. Of these actors, only two of them wore batsuits containing the infamous bat nipples. If you guessed George Clooney and Val Kilmer, then congratulations, you probably venture into as many Internet bat caves as I do.
The world behind Batman however not only thrives on its various actors playing the main man, but also its eccentric, memorable villains. The Riddler, the Penguin, Two Face, and of course, the Joker all contain their own respective renditions over the years, with renown actors such as Jim Carrey, Colin Farrell, Jack Nicholsen, Danny DeVito, Tommy Lee Jones, Paul Dano and Heath Ledger each putting their own unique spin on these famous foils who seek to wreak havoc on the fine citizens of Gotham. Some took dark, gritty approaches, while others liked to ham it up a little bit, with all of them leaving lasting memories in their own ways.
Given the sheer demand over the years for endless bat content, it comes as no surprise that Christopher Nolan’s grittier, grounded, trilogy ushered in an era of massive gains at the box office. Between “Batman Begins”, “The Dark Knight”, and “The Dark Knight Rises “, they drew in a combined near $2.4 billion, with “The Dark Knight” earning over a billion worldwide, making it the fourth highest grossing film of the 2000s.
I remember “The Dark Knight” left such a lasting impression on people that back in high school, one classmate of mine (not me, I swear on my life someone else did this), literally acted out the scene where the Joker introduces himself to the mafia in front of all of us. He did an absolutely spot on impersonation, while others chimed in as the supporting mob characters. Shout out to my amazing teacher back then who leaned into this guy’s obsession with the movie and let us all witness greatness in the classroom.
Unfortunately, I do not have this classmate’s contact information, so I cannot get him to narrate a plot synopsis for you all in his Joker voice, so you will have to settle for a generic summary below to refresh your memory on what this alleged epic entails:
With the help of allies Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and DA Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman (Christian Bale) has been able to keep a tight lid on crime in Gotham City. But when a vile young criminal calling himself the Joker (Heath Ledger) suddenly throws the town into chaos, the caped Crusader begins to tread a fine line between heroism and vigilantism.
Anecdotes aside, does “The Dark Knight” remain an incorruptible silent guardian for the people of Gotham, or inject a little too much anarchy into their lives? Inmates at Arkham Asylum who just want their phone call must be dialing up the Hundred Tomatoes hotline to find the answer on this one.
Without further perspective, let’s get to this retrospective!
"Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men… Just want to watch the world burn."
These profound words from Alfred Pennyworth shine a help shine a light on some of the underlying reasons Christopher Nolan felt the need to bring a more realist Batman to life. He saw huge potential within the universe to make commentary on human nature, whilst exploring unique philosophical mantras.
When looking through the Nolan legacy, so many universally acclaimed movies come to mind. A part of what makes him so intriguing as a filmmaker stems from the fact that you never quite know what he will do next. One day, he makes something about dreams within dreams within dreams, the next, a science fiction piece in a dystopian society starring Matthew McConaughey, another on the battle of Dunkirk, then Robert Oppenheimer, and coming up next, The Odyssey. In that sense, he is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get. But it will likely give you some kind of dopamine rush.
At the time, the manifestation of Marvel mania we see today barely, if at all existed, leaving a small(ish) void of demand for those desiring content featuring eccentric personas with elaborate costumes beating bad guys to a pulp. As a result, Nolan’s deep dive into this universe on paper created the perfect consumer-oriented concoction that paid off in a big way. With all of that in mind, given you can now watch eleventy bajillon different superhero films at the push of a button, does this mean “The Dark Knight” loses any luster? After all, we are creeping up on two decades since its initial release.
Usually, one of the first aspects that sticks out during these retrospectives involves outdated effects. Visual effects especially have come a long way, along with other technological advancements in filmmaking.
Luckily, in this instance, “The Dark Knight” relies heavily upon practical effects and real-life stunts, so most of the action sequences, fights, explosions, along with all the other chaotic elements that occur in its runtime seem just as fresh now as they did back then. All the action remains beautifully choreographed and immaculately shot, still providing that adrenaline pumping thrill ride that never lets you go.
A part of this film’s uncanny ability to draw you in from the get-go lies in its intense score. Something relatively subtle it does that I absolutely love pertains to the way they create this eerie, almost mosquito like sound with the violin that gradually builds as the Joker sinks his claws into a given scene. As he starts to get more deranged throughout the course of an encounter, the music intensifies, eventually building up to a massive breaking point that unveils a big twist. It beautifully adds to the insane chaos he seeks to create around him. So many nooks and crannies exist that build a slew of emotions in this, but the way the Joker gets a different vibe score wise from everything else electrifies. My hat goes off to Hans Zimmer, and James Newton Howard.
I could probably write entire articles dissecting the genius behind various scenes in this movie, especially the opening heist that introduces the Joker in such a legendary way, whilst beautifully incorporating his overarching anarchist worldview that drives his behavior. Unfortunately, if I walk through every single moment of “The Dark Knight”, it will span eight hundred pages, and ain’t nobody got time for that. I will stick to the top-level highlights instead.
First and foremost, The Joker in this rendition might be one of the best written movie villain of all time. I do not say that lightly. On the surface, he seems like a run of the mill crazy person, but behind the chaos exists a meticulous method to his madness that makes everyone question their sanity. All his actions not only set him apart as a mastermind that enables him to stay one step ahead of the curve, but they also embody a certain worldview that continually attempts to showcase that human beings like to pretend they operate by a certain civilized moral code, but when push comes to shove, will abandon that if it means survival. In many cases, people prove him right.
He tries to introduce anarchy in everyone’s lives in hopes of watching Gotham burn, and in some respects does so successfully. His antics create a sense of urgency, creating deep fears in viewers minds, along with characters in the movie. They eventually best him, but at what cost? His thought processes possesses so many underlying motives that it does a number on everyone well after his eventual demise. It leaves a remarkable impact that is everything you want in a villain and more.
The way the Joker operates gives Batman/Bruce Wayne a massive character transformation, putting him through an existential crisis that pushes him to the brink. At certain points, he almost loses this battle but eventually comes to the realization that heroic actions go beyond doing what people want in the moment. He turns into a martyr of sorts, in hopes of keeping hope in Gotham alive through unconventional means. He even needs to act unethically to an extent catch the Joker. He keeps his main principles in tact, but does so through immense struggle. The last lines in the film provide a beautiful mic drop moment that describes his role perfectly: he is a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a dark knight. It goes beyond the typical black and white views of “good” and “evil” in a dynamic way.
That is not to include all the other excellent character arcs that occur. People fixate on the Joker so much (and rightfully so) that it is easy to forget that Harvey Dent/Two Face starts out as an idealist ready to lead the way in Gotham, only to succumb to the Joker’s anarchist tendencies. The love triangle between him, Rachel and Bruce present a unique dynamic that creates additional levels of internal strife amongst them all. The way the Joker manipulates this individual as part of a grander scheme in the battle for the soul of Gotham creates additional intrigue.
Theme wise, this anarchism vs. idealism chess match that occurs throughout makes you contemplate real life in so many ways, along with the various characters actions. This schism creates tons of unique nuances that leave you thinking deeply about it well beyond the viewing. While the Joker assumes the worst in others, seeking to tap into that amongst the public (and watch the world burn), Batman wants to bring out the best in the city by showing the importance of adhering to a moral code. The fire and ice dynamic, coupled with the underlying tension between Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon that encompasses the philosophies mentioned above, all concoct this insightful commentary on human behavior that brings out the worst in people, but also the best at the same time. I adore the thoughtfulness behind it all.
Heath Ledger of course puts on the acting performance of a lifetime. To play this role, he pushed himself to physical and mental limits, including actions such as six weeks straight of self-isolation, sleep deprivation, adopting a voice that gave him dry mouth, hence all his mouth ticks, and more. It shows, as he walks this fine line of acting comedically and menacingly, whilst appearing mentally unstable to the max in every scene. He embodies this character magnificently, acting like a true madman with impeccable emotional range throughout.
Ledger’s Joker steals the show for obvious reasons, but the ensemble cast also knocks it out of the park. Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne puts on a charming performance that subtly shows the inner pain of the character through his eyes. Michael Caine as Alfred masterfully serves as a compelling butler who shows not only his deep love for Bruce through his warm personality, but also his thorough understanding of human nature that enables him to provide sage mentorship. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face also electrifies, going from portraying a confident idealist, to a psychotic anarchist. Other notables include Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, Maggie Gylenhaal as Rachel Dawes, and Gary Oldman as Commissioner Jim Gordon, who all bring endearing moments to my living room screen.
The dialogue in this delivers big time. While so many memorable back and forths occur that induce excellent food for thought, an underrated aspect of it includes the underlying humor behind so many confrontations. I never realized how many dark yet clever comedic elements in this occur that make me laugh out loud. The beauty of the wittiness in this writing lies in the fact that the quips further prop up the badassery of the characters who come out with them. Several individuals get their moment to shine through it, building their credibility perfectly. Again, I could put together a catalogue of quotable moments, but here are just a few:
“Batman Impersonator: What gives you the right? What’s the difference between you and me?
Batman: I’M NOT WEARING HOCKEY PADS”
“Gambol (in a hyper intense, confrontational manner): You think you can steal from us and walk away?
Joker (in the most non-chalant way possible): Yeah…”
“Coleman Reese: I want ten million dollars for the rest of my life.
Lucius Fox: Let me get this straight…. You think that your client, one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the world, is secretly a vigilante who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands, and your plan…. Is to blackmail this person?
*tense pause*
Lucius Fox: Good luck!”
Of course, so many others could make the cut, but these ones immediately stick out to me. The acting in all of this masterfully accentuates the cleverness behind the lines they deliver. The serious moments also paint some seriously vivid pictures in viewers minds, as they contemplate human nature at its core, debating its inherent goodness vs. evilness.
The writing, character development, overarching themes, acting, score, and essentially everything about this film absolutely blows me away. My only minor complaint about “The Dark Knight” comes from a quote attributed to Henry Ford: “if I asked my customers what they wanted, they would say they wanted a better horse and buggy.”
Why am I quoting this? Well, after watching Matt Reeve’s “The Batman” back in 2022, the aesthetic world building around the city of Gotham in that gave me something I never realized I wanted in life. While super dark, rainy, and gritty to the point where Nolan’s trilogy looks like a game of Candyland in comparison, it feels so immersive, so innovative and so unique. We never truly know of a better way until someone goes out of the way to show it to us, which happened a few years ago.
That is not to say the production design in “The Dark Knight” sucks by any stretch of the imagination. They pick some great locations throughout the city of Chicago to film. However, looking back on it, whereas “The Batman” creates this hyper-immersive universe that makes Gotham feel like a one-of a kind gritty city that makes me question why any sane person would want to live there, “The Dark Knight” feels a little bit like I am watching people cosplay around Chicago. To illustrate my point, here is a side by side of the two movies:
Interestingly enough, “Batman Begins”, attempts to create this unique world around Gotham, but they ultimately decide to scrap that concept for the film in question, because Christopher Nolan fell in love with Chicago. It still looks good, but if you could take the aesthetics of “The Batman” and bring it to “The Dark Knight”, it would be the chef’s kiss to end all chef’s kisses.
Minor nitpick aside, “The Dark Knight” reels you in at the start, and never lets you go until the goosebump inducing final scene. It is a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience that I am not sure will ever get replicated in the future. The iconic line said by Harvey Dent, “you either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain” carries its way throughout the course of the film, playing out over several character arcs. Most importantly though, I hope this heroic movie never dies, because it is a timeless classic.
Does “The Dark Knight” Stand the Test of Time?
Verdict: 100% YES
Hundred Tomatoes Score: 94/100
TL;DR Synopsis: A meticulously crafted masterpiece with incredible character development, acting, dialogue, and stunts, coupled with deep philosophical explorations on human nature.
In case you were wondering, here are the Top 10 Highest Grossing Films of the 2000s, and where Hundred Tomatoes stands of them. “The Dark Knight” is the fourth entry in this series.
10. Shrek 2 – Yes, it stands the test of time for the most part - 76/100
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – Unequivocally yes it stands the test of time – 92/100
8. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – Does not really stand the test of time – 51/100
4. The Dark Knight – 100% YES to standing the test of time – 94/100
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
1. Avatar
My favorite Batman is Michael Keaton, but even Jack Nicholson can’t compete with Heath Ledger’s uncomfortably mesmerizing performance as The Joker in this one. Great review!
100% agree. I was just watching the scene where the Joker visits Harvey in the hospital. I think thinking about writing a piece about why nobody cares when everything goes according to “the plan.”