Originally posted by REDking:
You stated the theme, then changed it when your argument didn't hold up.
No, I clarified. I honestly thought it would be assumed that everyone would know what form of heroism I was talking about, considering the movie being discussed (a superhero movie...). I failed to take into account the scope of a term as broad as "heroism", and for that I paid the price of digression.
Originally posted by REDking:
Anyway it's great having this super film geek argument and since we are the only ones who currently care! Thank you Cinematical but I have to say you simply overstate the importance of TDK.
I've also enjoyed the debate. A discussion just isn't interesting if people don't disagree. Oh, and for the record, I think you vastly understate the importance of TDK.
I think Hooha has a good point - the purpose of (narrative) film is to involve and engross the audience in a story. The Dark Knight did this for me and millions others. So it's a good film.
Roy - you make pompous comments like "Heath Ledger didn't play the most evil villain ever. Calm down" without any form of support or courtesy. Your opinion is not authoritative; indeed, the way you generally state it makes it quite irrelevant, which is a shame for when you do engage thoughtfully in a discussion. As for this particular logic-hole, I'll say this: a performance's status and prestige is directly dependent on how it fares the cultural memory. It all ultimately comes down to what those who saw the film think (with a distribution of weight that favors critics, historians, and the like, but is still by and large dominated by the general masses). So far, nearly every single person I've talked to who's seen the film has gushed over Ledger's performance, most calling it one of the best villains ever. Indeed, many have called it one of the best PERFORMANCES ever. This group ranges from my family, friends, and coworkers, to fellow student filmmakers at USC, Chapman, and NYU, to film professors. I can't speak for an entire culture, but from my sampling, this performance will not fade, and will remain among the elite cinematic villains. So I feel confident that, so far, the facts support the assertions we've made.
And Brain, come now, I know your tastes, and it doesn't always involve subtlety. Requiem for a Dream? Mulholland Drive? Neither very subtle, and it's what makes them brilliant. Bombastic films come in many forms; this one just happens to be a guy in a bat suit battling with a psychotic clown. It is possible to appreciate both subtlety and explosions, even within the same film.
