Monday 18 August 2008

The Dark Knight

Okay so I joined the thousands of people who had seen the new Batman film and I must say it was a rather enjoyable experience. I wont into the details of it as I don’t want to spoil it for the other people who still have aspirations of going to see it. The cinematography was awesome alongside for hair raising stunts. I was thoroughly impressed. However I find the subtle theme of the movie rather unsettling. There are various themes that popped out of it and as someone who took film analysis as a module back in uni, I certainly recognised most of them and their various significance. The one I find rather unsettling though was towards the end of the movie, where the joker fantastically played by Heath Ledger managed to turn the man who stood for everything good to the evil side in 60 minutes. I must say quickly here as an aside that Heath, may his soul rest in peace does deserve that posthumous Oscar it has been rumoured he may receive.

Now back to the main point, the District Attorney of Gotham trudged the dirt and scum of the city to bring the perpetrators to book. He was largely seen as the modern day Caesar, the one to finally clean up the streets of a crime ridden metropolis. He stood for everything upright and honourable but due to lack of communication and perhaps the very organised friends of the joker who help him pull of the sickest of all rampages in an already downtrodden city, he eventually turned evil himself. The joker was able to convince him in a matter of minutes that the friends he had known and worked with for the most of his professional career where untrustworthy zealots who planned to take him out. I mean this same joker whom everyone cringes at the sight of and who is solely responsible for a large chunk of the ill that befell the city managed to convince the DA that his friends were untrustworthy? Even if there were would a good person not try to find out for himself is this joker has an iota of seriousness in him?

How could someone who has been so good for the most part of his life just turn bad like that. I think that is a rather disturbing message to send out to people that a life of dedication and uprightness could mean nothing in a matter of minutes. People who do good may become discouraged if evil is portrayed to have such power. But really does evil have that much power and capabilities or I'm just been paranoid? That single messages negates all the principle I learnt as a growing child that good surpasses all things and is most powerful. If there's any truth in what I have learnt that how come evil triumphed over good in the case of this young and promising DA?

I think script writers, directors and producers should be careful the sort of messages they convey through their movies. For who in the world would really want to continue to do good if they feel that the people around them do not have their interest at heart. People will simply become nonchalant and just do whatever they like if its that easy to turn to the dark side. Already we see that more and more people are becoming selfish, me inclusive. They give less thought to their neighbours and more to what they can get out of any situations and movies like this will just make an already bad situation worse. I just hope that people who go to see the movie do not concentrate on the theme I picked out!

Have a blessed week guys.


P.S.
Please remember to vote in my little poll on the right there. Many thanks.

41 comments:

Flourishing Florida said...

first!

O'Dee said...

"script writers, directors and producers should be careful the sort of messages they convey through their movies."

I agree.

tankojjetty said...

i think its a personality thing...
cause its said that the heart of man is wicked or somethng
so even though i cld be bad, i choose to be good...
and even if the whole world wants to turn me bad...i have to take my stand and say no
although i will admit like u said...its really difficult seeing those u wld give ur life for...not giving a hoot...
i think thats ow jesus wld have felt too...

doll (retired blogger) said...

3rd

doll (retired blogger) said...

i am yet to see the movie. heard its d bomb. Your thoughts are pretty deep, you must hv really thot thru. i dont notice things like dat

aloted said...

hmm i thot i was the only one that found that movie a bit disturbing even though i thot it was a good movie (irony)...the joker character was totally weird and i felt funny in my spirit...

meanwhile i think i mentioned this on another blog..but some people think the movie was cursed- First an effects technician died during the filming. Then Ledger's accidental suicide. Then the accusations of Bale assaulting his family members. And the last one, Morgan Freeman was in a serious condition after a car accident.

coincidence??

Naija Idol said...

yeah.i agree with u. some movies affect us in ways we might not know. My little cousin once saw a naija movie and started acting like the mad boy in the movie.

ablackjamesbond said...

loved the movie...my take out? Great entertainment value...lovely effects...at the end of the day, as an adult, it is my responsibility to 'guard my heart'.
Filter what i receive through whatever seive [my belief system, religious or otherwise], keep the good and get rid of the bad. Ofcourse for children its a different ball game. Adults need to regulate what they see.

Zayzee said...

haven't seen the movie, so refused to read the post. how u dey?

Allied said...

Hmm… I was thinking more in the lines of, even the good can do evil. It was a game of manipulation and it worked well. When The DA was good he believed in making his choices without the help of chance (i.e. his lucky coin). Even with that coin he made evil choices.

His coin had 2 faces, he was nicknamed two faces and he became both faces.

Unknown said...

I haven't seen the movie yet. My friend and I chose to see Wild Child instead, yesterday.

I think from what you've said, the script writer was probably trying to convey the fact that anyone is prone to evil/'temptation'. So we should be more cautious about who we associate with and what we do. Like BJB said 'guard your heart'.

Shubby Doo said...

see how evil comes in through the backdoor when one is not paying attention...you're right we all have a responsibility to be careful about the messages being conveyed and to be vigilant and not complacent about onset of such things.

Anonymous said...

first of all, you've spoilt it for all the people who havent seen it!!!!!!!
especially considering this is the primary point of the movie. *sigh*
i eel sorry for them, especially because they've missed out on what people have called the best summer movie (i personally preferred iron man and hancock)

anyway tho, script writers keep pushing the envelope because they need work! their primary concern is not the sensitive feelings of the audience, but the controversial nature of their work. and as disturbing as these themes are, they are somewhat realistic.

Parakeet said...

@FFF...you funny. So you just came mark register abi? Lol!
@Oluwadee...abi now. They're in some ways the custodians of popular culture and should be more careful what they put out there
@Tankojetty...you do have a valid point
@Doll...trust me when you do see it, you'll notice but may just have different views
@Aloted...Hmm, you're right. That sort of coincidence is rather unsettling o
@Naija Idol...Jesus. I hope you guys set him straight in no time.
@James Bond Dudu...indeed you are right
@Uzezi...I tried not to spoil it for guys like you. You need to see it my dear...very nice. Am cool o. Thanks for asking
@Allied you are absolutely spot on. I saw that theme too. I thot they were very clever with the various innuendoes and signifiers they used.
@Naijalines...yes you're right about that. The abrupt change in character was what I found most aghast. I guess if they had introduced the turn to the dark side more gradually I wouldn't have been that worried about the message.
@Shubby...hmm. My dear that so true. May God help us all
@Geisha...I apologise o. But really there's a lot of themes to the movie and I am certain you would find it rather enjoyable. I agree with what you said re the scriptwriters. They mirror what's going on in society and try to make it even more controversial!

archiwiz said...

Ahh...good way to tell me not to see this movie. I thoroughly dislike dark themed movies, and movies that show good turning to evil.

Mz. Dee said...

first time here.
impressive post...hopefully other ppl didnt take the same course as u!

but yea.. directors and producers should be careful

Anonymous said...

I guess because I saw this movie on bootleg I didn't really get to see the cinematic effects. It was an ok movie to me, maybe I'm just not a batman fan, but I agree with you on the message especially when tons of kids are watching this movie, didn't even think of it until you mentioned it

Jay said...

Haven't seen the movie and i can't wait to see it too...

I guess temptation is always lurking and evil can sneak on even on the wisest of men

The message take heed!
Nice review

Rita said...

Everyone is watching TV. That is the medium to pass messages. We are waiting for people like you to change the movie industry. Maybe you can rewrite the script for "The Dark Knight"...

Sometimes, I wonder what is going on. Evil is having it's way but there is a power above it, which is the power of God.

Buttercup said...

u know, i also wondered about that bit even tho the movie was every bit enjoyable...i agree wit u...

yea, heath ledger deserves that award...

btw..any news from ur cuz?? is she ok?? been meanin to ask..

badderchic said...

I agree the movie was maad! Heath was really really scary!

Afrobabe said...

In actual fact no one man is totally good…we all have our other sides and people just choose which they want to be on a regular basis but once in a while ur other colours show..

bumight said...

I struggled with the theme myself for a while, just wasnt getting it.
but the cinematography was greaaaaaaaaat! the best $8 i've spent in a long time!

rethots said...

"...someone who has been so good for the most part of his life just turn bad..." No, no, no, it (the 'badness') probably has always been there just someone to trigger it.

Scribblers Inc said...

it is indeed a movie with strange messages...you must read "hope" on my blog to know the kind of message I picked up...you wouldnt be disappointed..:)

Scribblers Inc.

Aphrodite said...

That pic is scary o!

I havnt seen the movie but u sure piqued my interest.

Good will always triump in teh end over eveil but my sister devil get power sef o, plenty power and its easier for man to be bad than it is to be good.

Only the grace of God helps up to remain good.

Smaragd said...

i am yet to see the movie but i totally agree with ur perspective.

there are enough things encouraging evil these days wivout these guys adding to it!

very true Parakeet, very true!

Smaragd said...

and since when did u start replying comments on ur blog ma'am? *raises left eyebrow*

when are u coming to naija?

Parakeet said...

@Archiwiz…Ah nooo, I think u should still go see it. Every movie whether dark themed or not still has one of two things to make us think about.
@Mz Dee…hey thanks for stopping by here. Yes, these people should do more.
@Abbie…stay off them bootleg madam. You’re really missing!
@Jarrai…you’re so right. I pray none of us falls into that kind of extreme temptation o!
@Rita…many thanks my sister. I hope I get there one day. I wish these movie producers can show the power of God more instead of extolling evil.
@Buttercup…small madam how you dey? Yea the movie is so enjoyable and Heath’s performance deserves an acknowledgement. As per my coz haven’t heard anything from her and her mum has shut herself off. None of her numbers are working. I am waiting to go to Nigeria so I can pay her a visit. Thanks for asking. Not seen Chari around for a while hope he’s ok?
@Badderchic…yea, bad ass movie that was! One of the best I’ve seen this year
@Afrobabe…you’re definitely right about that but someone who has spent a large chunk of their time doing good is considered good and for that person to turn to an extreme bad side in a flash is rather scary. I guess if they had introduced his bad side to us gradually perhaps I wont be as worried as I am about the message they’re sending out.
@Bumight…you’re right. There were so many sides to it and in fact I must see the movie again cos I feel there was a lot lost on me!
@Rethots…you’re right and like other commentators have pointed out, we all have that bad side buried deep within us. God help us.
@Scribblers…I definitely agree with you that it has a lot of strange messages. I’m off to read hope…thanks for dropping by!
@Aphrodite…yea, I had to use that picture for maximum impact…hahahaha! The sort of power that the devil has is even more scary and its only God that can save us.
@Esmerelda… go and see the movie darling. I’m sure u love it. I’m trying to turn over a new leaf with the response thing. Gold help me. I’m thinking visiting Nigeria in December but my little sis is getting married in January so it may have to wait till then. How you dey?

Buttercup said...

i dey o....

oh wow..i hope shes ok..

chari is fine!

take care!

lol @ small madam..

Afrobabe said...

Please a slight digression...


HOW IS MY SHOPPING GOING??? On my way to ask Abbie too...

Unknown said...

Haven't seen the movie yet so I will reserve my comment.

How far?

flawsandall said...

hey sweetie..long time
contrary to popular opinion, dark knight sucked and i was struggling not to sleep.
albeit the jokers perfect performance, his antics were starting to get boring..
thats just me, im sure a lot of people will disagree on my opinion
I say heath ledgers death facilitated the hype of this movie..may his soul rest in peace..such a talented man

uNWrItten* said...

hey boo...nice analysis but i liked the movie tho..
how u been?

Scribblers Inc said...

hello...write!:D

Scribblers Inc.

NikkiSab said...

i avnt watched d movie and its just cos its over rated on E! news so i av decided till end of d year. Dat poll of urs got me in d past. whoa!!!

Tairebabs said...

I saw dark night some weeks ago and although I really love the movie as I think it was fantastic, I also spent a couple of minutes reflecting on the themes you mentioned. The truth is although the thought of someone who had been good all his life turning bad seems unfortunate and not something we would like to think about. These things do happen you know so I guess that's why they were depicted as such in the movie.

Great analysis

H2O-works said...

nice post, but I slightly disagree with your thoughts on the theme, however the fact that you can make and argument like that out of it gives credit to your analysis. Like any analysis there are different angles one can take to get a desired result. I took a different one. I am not going to write that out here now (cos that wud be too long) but I just might blog about it sometime, Nice post anyways, makes for a good read..

...H2O

H2O-works said...

It is not also easy to stay on the right track...Jesus got tempted and overcame. We even had Gandhi, Mandela, MLK Jr., Mother Teresa, Melba Beals, these pple cud have crumbled when pushed to the wall, but they persisted, they kept character. It is in the darkest hour that our true characters come out...in Harvey Two-face's case he succumbed to evil. And Besides Bruce Wayne also loved Rachel, but still persisted to fight evil despite his loss of Rachel...this is getting too long...

ciao
...H2O

Luvvie said...

One of the things I loved the most about "Dark Knight" was how it made Chicago another character almost. I loved watching the action scenes because it made my city look so beautiful.

Tigeress said...

Heath Ledger- May his soul RIP. I'm a movie person and i reckon it was a bit too lengthy and a bit of loop holes, but Heath Ledger's peformance was absolutely BRILLIANT!! I like the movie- i'm biased as it was shot in Chicago and even had my office building in it.

As for the script....its a movie, so.... it cant be compared to our Naija movies. lol!