Let's put a smile on that face
"The Dark Knight" aimed to please with all-star cast and succeeded with box office highs
Narayan Lockett
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Features
This startling turn of events left the series without a prized actor and forced the direction of "The Dark Knight" to end in an unconventional cliffhanger, presenting no closure for the Joker.
All the same, the film has been well-received by every major film critiquer and is highly expected to do well in this year's movie award ceremonies. Many feel Heath Ledger's act in "The Dark Knight" is a lock for the award of "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" at the 81st Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2009. However, some believe this notion is solely based on Ledger's recent death.
Conversely, the accusation of "award sympathy" is inaccurate. The Joker presented one of the greatest big-screen performances in recent years and left millions awestruck.
In case any critic forgot, Ledger was nominated for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" at the Oscars three years prior, for "Brokeback Mountain," reported www.oscars.org.
Ledger also appeared in other significant films, such as "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson, "Monster's Ball" with Halle Berry and "I'm Not There," portraying folk great Bob Dylan. If there is any question of Ledger's caliber of acting, it can be answered with his past films as well as "The Dark Knight".
Rachel Rodriguez, freshman history major, thought Ledger's performance was Oscar-worthy no matter what the circumstances.
"I thought this was far better than any of the previous Batman movies," she said. "He brought a darkness to the Batman series, which I thought was pretty cheesy until "The Dark Knight."
"Heath definitely deserves the award, not just because he died but that he brought a character to life," she said.
Bryan Jackson, freshman journalism major, agreed.
"I think it's still too early to crown Ledger as best supporting actor, but he's definitely in the picture," he said. "His performance was masterful."
From the number of impressive fight scenes and chaos sequences, to the witty remarks of Bruce Wayne's wise, old butler, Alfred Pennyworth, played by Michael Caine, "The Dark Knight" is a film phenomenon.
Audiences worldwide have enjoyed this psychological thriller and superhero blockbuster, and will continue asking, "Why so serious?" for generations to come.
All the same, the film has been well-received by every major film critiquer and is highly expected to do well in this year's movie award ceremonies. Many feel Heath Ledger's act in "The Dark Knight" is a lock for the award of "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" at the 81st Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2009. However, some believe this notion is solely based on Ledger's recent death.
Conversely, the accusation of "award sympathy" is inaccurate. The Joker presented one of the greatest big-screen performances in recent years and left millions awestruck.
In case any critic forgot, Ledger was nominated for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" at the Oscars three years prior, for "Brokeback Mountain," reported www.oscars.org.
Ledger also appeared in other significant films, such as "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson, "Monster's Ball" with Halle Berry and "I'm Not There," portraying folk great Bob Dylan. If there is any question of Ledger's caliber of acting, it can be answered with his past films as well as "The Dark Knight".
Rachel Rodriguez, freshman history major, thought Ledger's performance was Oscar-worthy no matter what the circumstances.
"I thought this was far better than any of the previous Batman movies," she said. "He brought a darkness to the Batman series, which I thought was pretty cheesy until "The Dark Knight."
"Heath definitely deserves the award, not just because he died but that he brought a character to life," she said.
Bryan Jackson, freshman journalism major, agreed.
"I think it's still too early to crown Ledger as best supporting actor, but he's definitely in the picture," he said. "His performance was masterful."
From the number of impressive fight scenes and chaos sequences, to the witty remarks of Bruce Wayne's wise, old butler, Alfred Pennyworth, played by Michael Caine, "The Dark Knight" is a film phenomenon.
Audiences worldwide have enjoyed this psychological thriller and superhero blockbuster, and will continue asking, "Why so serious?" for generations to come.
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