The Dark Knight Blu-ray Review

Tech-at-a-Glance:

●    1080p with 2.4:1 and 1.78:1 IMAX ratios.
●    Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital 5.1 in English.
●    Two discs with some HD special features.

The Movie.

Seeing as The Dark Knight has taken more than one billion dollars worldwide since its release in 2008, it's perhaps understating the fact when we say this was a popular movie amongst both cinema goers and critics alike.  For this reason we're not going to spend long reviewing the movie itself, as that seems as superfluous as endlessly reviewing such bona-fide classics as Apocalypse Now and The Exorcist. 

The plot sees Batman go head-to-head with the Joker, a crazed, anarchistic criminal with a hold over Gotham and its organised crime bosses.  Batman is ably assisted by Police Lieutenant Gordon and the new District Attorney, Harvey Dent, who just may be the saviour Gotham needs.  However, the Joker has plans for all of them. 

The Dark Knight is filled with corruption and evil, where even the heroes fall or succumb to the Joker's brand of manipulative madness.  Unlike other 'blockbusters', this is primarily a dialogue driven movie, with plotting and characterisation taking centre stage over any action sequences, and while this does have the advantage of trimming away frivolous action-for-the-sake-of-it sequences, the pacing does suffer, especially in the first hour. 

Christopher Nolan's direction is so assured and confident it's hard to believe this is only his fourth 'big' budget movie – witness the spectacular central action set piece with the Batpod, where music is kept to the bare minimum so the stunt driving, effects and beautiful camera work are left to build the tension and excitement, something a lesser director would have baulked at.  The same can be said of the performances, which comes of hiring quality actors instead of the latest person being hyped by the media to attract viewers.  Of course, Ledger is a standout, but praise for him has often left the others wanting, something which their performances never do.

The Dark Knight is a shining example of what it's possible to create not from just a comic book source, but in cinema generally, if one is willing to hire the talent to write, direct, star and edit.  It's engrossing, exciting and filled with superb stunts, CGI and locations, so while Batman Begins may still be the movie against which other, similar works will be judged, The Dark Knight comes a very, very close second.

5/5

Follow the link to read our comments on the audio, video and extras found on The Dark Knight!

The Video.

If you own a Blu-ray player and don't have The Dark Knight, you're missing out on one of the key discs to show off the potential of the format.  The movie was shot using both a standard camera, plus several IMAX ones were used for the 'spectacle' sequences, such as the Batpod chase, the opening heist and Batman's swan dive from a Hong Kong skyscraper. 

The Dark Knight looks fantastic thanks to long-time Nolan collaborator Wally Pfister's stunning photography and in its regular 2.4:1 ratio, the detail is amazing, with every crease on the bat-suit or make-up smudged wrinkle on the Joker's face presented in fine detail.  But it's when the movie flips to IMAX that jaws will have to be collected off the floor.  The picture now fills the screen and the sharpness, colour and sheer scale is nothing less than incredible, as every sequence filmed this way pops off the screen like nothing you've seen before.  If you want to see your investment in Blu-ray up on the screen, this is the film to do it.

5/5

The Audio.

In much the same way as the video, the audio on The Dark Knight is reference quality.  Hans Zimmer's brilliant score pounds away, the surround speakers become more than simply occasionally used items for discrete effects, enveloping you in sound during the whole movie, and this seems to have been mastered with plenty of volume in mind, as this is a seriously loud disc!

Two parts really standout.  Of course, the first is the Batpod chase, with the cycle screaming through the streets of Gotham sounding like an amplified, supercharged Tron lightcycle, while the second is the destruction of Gotham General Hospital.  At first it sounds rather subtle, but wait for the pull away to the helicopter shot and feel the room shake!  Absolutely amazing!

5/5

The Extras.

This is a two disc release, with the movie and main documentary on the first disc, and a selection of other features on the second.  Gotham Uncovered: Creation of a Scene can be accessed during the movie itself and offers short informational pieces on how the unfolding action on screen was created, however it can also be watched as an hour-long documentary separately too.  Although these Focus Points concentrate mainly on the technical aspect of the making of the film – IMAX and stunt work for example – they are all thoroughly absorbing and do work best when enjoyed back to back.  This is exactly the type of extra feature I want to see on every Blu-ray disc, and is essential viewing.

The second disc doesn't quite live up to the high standards of Gotham Uncovered, however several pieces do still have merit.  Gotham Tonight is a series of six faux news programs supposedly broadcast on Gotham TV and although they're well made and do provide background to the story,  they are perhaps a little too long.  Batman Tech and Batman Unmasked are both presented in HD, with Unmasked being slightly more watchable, thanks to the rather over-excited narrator on Tech.  The content in both is good though.  Finally, there's a collection of artwork, trailers and TV spots. 

As with Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan hasn't recorded a commentary track, but much of his comments are included in the Focus Points, so you won't feel you're lacking his insight.  It's a shame though, that none of the actors or crew were able to provide one, as this would have completed our picture of what it was like to make The Dark Knight.

4/5

Conclusion.

For a film with such critical praise lavished upon it, it's refreshing to see The Dark Knight lives up everything which has been said.  You shouldn't need convincing to see the movie, but in case you need a push to invest in the Blu-ray disc (or the format itself), this is without a doubt one of the best examples of how fantastic Blu-ray can look and sound, while providing proof of just what can be  achieved both cinematically and as a home release, when the studio puts an effort into it.

Comments

[James Isles]

A nice post with very helpful information. The Dark Night is, may I say it, a 'dark' film, taking Batman back to the best days, in my opinion, in which Tim Burton created the best Batman movies.

[Robbie Dzwonar]

This review is a little last, don't you think? Nonetheless, this is my favorite Blu Ray of my collection (so far)...

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

The opening bank heist scene was enough to completely sell me on Blu-ray.