The Dark Knight.

[Batman]

Nah, it'll then be a contest to out-Ledger whoever plays Penguin.

Leave it a while now.

[David Lee's Hair]

Nah, it'll then be a contest to out-Ledger whoever plays Penguin.
Leave it a while now.

Depends if they do the Penguin at all. There were rumours that they'd got Phillip Seymour Hoffman to play the Penguin (an arms dealer) near the end to link it to another film, but to quote Nolan (not our fat one)

"I'd be more excited to have Philip Seymour Hoffman in the film than to have the Penguin. There are certain characters that are easier to mesh with the more real take on Batman we're doing. The Penguin would be tricky."

For me that says there will be no penguin at all. $$$$'s speak though so perhaps they will.

I'd be happy to see it go to Hoffman. Big fan of his even if his voice in Capote did leave me wanting to do a van Gogh - although not too dis-similar to Bales Batman voice (the only downside for me on both films).

[Rated R Superstar]

Finally went to see it today.

Wow, just wow.

[Daxter]

Nah, it'll then be a contest to out-Ledger whoever plays Penguin.
Leave it a while now.

Depends if they do the Penguin at all. There were rumours that they'd got Phillip Seymour Hoffman to play the Penguin (an arms dealer) near the end to link it to another film, but to quote Nolan (not our fat one)

"I'd be more excited to have Philip Seymour Hoffman in the film than to have the Penguin. There are certain characters that are easier to mesh with the more real take on Batman we're doing. The Penguin would be tricky."

For me that says there will be no penguin at all. $$$$'s speak though so perhaps they will.

I'd be happy to see it go to Hoffman. Big fan of his even if his voice in Capote did leave me wanting to do a van Gogh - although not too dis-similar to Bales Batman voice (the only downside for me on both films).[/quote

I can see why and yes it is incredibly corny but I do understand it. All about adding to the intimidation factor and aura of Batman, and I suppose it does at least set him apart from Bruce Wayne.

I mean, in Spiderman how thick does anyone who knows Peter Parker have to be to not decypher that he is Spiderman from his voice alone?

[communistworkethic]

spiderman is the wrong example dax - superman is the one for shit disguises

[ratbert]

Seeing it on an IMAX screen this weekend. Rumours have it that Johnny Depp is being courted for The Riddler.

Who'd be Catwoman if they were casting that, I wonder...

[Batman]

Tumbler vs F1 at Silverstone

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eEPE5t1td ... re=related

[communistworkethic]

Seeing it on an IMAX screen this weekend. Rumours have it that Johnny Depp is being courted for The Riddler.

Who'd be Catwoman if they were casting that, I wonder...

Rosario Dawson....

[ChrisC]

Not watched a Batman film for years and years ... the previews grabbed me on this one!! and all i can say is Amazing!!!! Has to be one of the best films ive EVER seen and i watch alot of films. Heath was awesome!! such a loss and you cant help but think this would have made him one of the biggest in the movie world RIP ...

[Bruce Rioja]

OK, I need guidance here. Stuff like Batman really isn't my thang, but I'm reading nothing other than fantastic reports about this film and it's aroused my curiosity. So tell me this. Firstly, how many Batman films are there? What're the standard of the others? And lastly, do I have to go right back to the 1st one and work may way through so as to be able to make sense of it all or can I just pile in on this current one?

[Soldier_Of_The_White_Army]

OK, I need guidance here. Stuff like Batman really isn't my thang, but I'm reading nothing other than fantastic reports about this film and it's aroused my curiosity. So tell me this. Firstly, how many Batman films are there? What're the standard of the others? And lastly, do I have to go right back to the 1st one and work may way through so as to be able to make sense of it all or can I just pile in on this current one?

Don't bother any of the camp pre-Batman Begins crap Bruce. You can easily just sit and watch this film without having to know the back story, but I'd recomend that you watch 'Batman Begins' first, then the new one.

[seanworth]

OK, I need guidance here. Stuff like Batman really isn't my thang, but I'm reading nothing other than fantastic reports about this film and it's aroused my curiosity. So tell me this. Firstly, how many Batman films are there? What're the standard of the others? And lastly, do I have to go right back to the 1st one and work may way through so as to be able to make sense of it all or can I just pile in on this current one?

These types of flicks are not my cup of tea neither. I did go to see the film though, and while I certainly don't rate it in the same regard as many of the other posters, it is done very well and worth going to see. Ledger's role as the joker is worth the price of a ticket alone. You do not need to see any of the previous Batman films to enjoy this film. The first Batman film was done by Tim Burton, a director I really like. I enjoyed that film. I saw 1 or 2 of the others but lost interest. This film is probably the best of the lot (at least the ones I have seen), and it is extremely dark. I would recommend checking it out even if it is not your thang.

[Daxter]

OK, I need guidance here. Stuff like Batman really isn't my thang, but I'm reading nothing other than fantastic reports about this film and it's aroused my curiosity. So tell me this. Firstly, how many Batman films are there? What're the standard of the others? And lastly, do I have to go right back to the 1st one and work may way through so as to be able to make sense of it all or can I just pile in on this current one?

This one is part of a new franchise that started in 05 with Batman Begins. IMO that's the best Batman film next to this one. Although not completely neccessary it would be worth watching as it sets up the Batman universe and gives you the backstory on the charactor.

There were four previous films that are completely separate to the two recent ones. 'Batman' in 89, 'Batman returns' in 92, 'Batman Forever' in 95 and the truly awful 'Batman and Robin' in 97. These films were no where near as dark as Cristopher Nolan's take on Batman.

[TANGODANCER]

I'm going to get lashed here, I just know it ( Never seen a Batman film yet) but have to ask:

Why does a film about a man who can fly about like a bat -and dresses up like one need a "dark", ie phsycological side to it? It's basically a kid's comic book thing like Superman, Captain Marvel and all the rest, yet folk are talking about mixing a big dose of realism into a totally implausible genre?

This isn't a criticism (most films outside a small section are somewhat removed from reality and have been for donkeys' years; Indiana Jones, Matrix, James Bond etc,etc, right back to Flash Gordon and Tarzan and co. But I just find it a bit strange that the "dark" aspect is such an issue or needed in what's basically no more plausible than Narnia.

Just asking is all.

[Soldier_Of_The_White_Army]

I'm going to get lashed here, I just know it ( Never seen a Batman film yet) but have to ask:

Why does a film about a man who can fly about like a bat -and dresses up like one need a "dark", ie phsycological side to it? It's basically a kid's comic book thing like Superman, Captain Marvel and all the rest, yet folk are talking about mixing a big dose of realism into a totally implausible genre?

This isn't a criticism (most films outside a small section are somewhat removed from reality and have been for donkeys' years; Indiana Jones, Matrix, James Bond etc,etc, right back to Flash Gordon and Tarzan and co. But I just find it a bit strange that the "dark" aspect is such an issue or needed in what's basically no more plausible than Narnia.

Just asking is all.

I take it you haven't read any of the Batman books, they're all very dark, as are most of the comics and the cartoons. The only version of Batman that wasn't dark TANGO, is the one your probably most familiar with. The 1960's TV camp fest version.

A lot of the darkness is to emphasis the split personally of Bruce Wayne and Batman, they are to very different people, as mentioned in the film when Bruce Wayne talks about his other persona 'Batman has no limits', talking about him in the third person.

[Daxter]

I'm going to get lashed here, I just know it ( Never seen a Batman film yet) but have to ask:

Why does a film about a man who can fly about like a bat -and dresses up like one need a "dark", ie phsycological side to it? It's basically a kid's comic book thing like Superman, Captain Marvel and all the rest, yet folk are talking about mixing a big dose of realism into a totally implausible genre?

This isn't a criticism (most films outside a small section are somewhat removed from reality and have been for donkeys' years; Indiana Jones, Matrix, James Bond etc,etc, right back to Flash Gordon and Tarzan and co. But I just find it a bit strange that the "dark" aspect is such an issue or needed in what's basically no more plausible than Narnia.

Just asking is all.

I take it you haven't read any of the Batman books, they're all very dark, as are most of the comics and the cartoons. The only version of Batman that wasn't dark TANGO, is the one your probably most familiar with. The 1960's TV camp fest version.

A lot of the darkness is to emphasis the split personally of Bruce Wayne and Batman, they are to very different people, as mentioned in the film when Bruce Wayne talks about his other persona 'Batman has no limits', talking about him in the third person.

It's also a big mis-conception that comics are for kids, not least the Batman comics. Just because something seems implausible, doesn't mean it can't be dark and aimed at adults. Batman has always had that dark edge to it, ranging from the villians and the complexity of the Bruce Wayne character to the fact that the citizens of Gotham turn on man who was only trying to protect them.

[TANGODANCER]

I take it you haven't read any of the Batman books, they're all very dark, as are most of the comics and the cartoons. The only version of Batman that wasn't dark TANGO, is the one your probably most familiar with. The 1960's TV camp fest version.

Well, I do remember a somewhat pantomime thing from then, but don't remember much about it except it was awful enough to turn right off. See, I'll probably watch this for the very same reasons as Bruce, ie, the amount of discussion, praise for the performances etc, and sheer curiosity. I'm not much of a cinema-goer these days and rely on DVD's to catch up etc, and if it's good entertainment I'll probably enjoy it just for what it is. Just find it hard to come to terms with, as I said, a guy dressed as a bat flying around rooftops being discussed as if he were a reality. Seems about as plausible as Van Helsing (and that was fxxking awful) but then again, I liked the Zorro films.

Must be that age thing again. "Hi-ho Silver and away..."

[Soldier_Of_The_White_Army]

I take it you haven't read any of the Batman books, they're all very dark, as are most of the comics and the cartoons. The only version of Batman that wasn't dark TANGO, is the one your probably most familiar with. The 1960's TV camp fest version.

Well, I do remember a somewhat pantomime thing from then, but don't remember much about it except it was awful enough to turn right off. See, I'll probably watch this for the very same reasons as Bruce, ie, the amount of discussion, praise for the performances etc, and sheer curiosity. I'm not much of a cinema-goer these days and rely on DVD's to catch up etc, and if it's good entertainment I'll probably enjoy it just for what it is. Just find it hard to come to terms with, as I said, a guy dressed as a bat flying around rooftops being discussed as if he were a reality. Seems about as plausible as Van Helsing (and that was fxxking awful) but then again, I liked the Zorro films.

Must be that age thing again. "Hi-ho Silver and away..."

Oh aye, but TANGODANCER being the Captain of Bolton Wanderers is just fine though.

[TANGODANCER]

Oh aye, but TANGODANCER being the Captain of Bolton Wanderers is just fine though.

Nothing implausible there, apart from about forty years on the timescale. Then again, if you can turn me into a fxxking horse, I'd better not argue too much.

[Bruce Rioja]

Thanks for your comments, guys. I've just ordered Batman begins. Well, £5.99 and a couple of hours of an evening seems fair enough.