Five Quick Thoughts on The Dark Knight

by Latoya Peterson

It’s three a.m.

I’m fucking wired.

I fell down the rabbit hole after watching the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight.

So, I’ve been commissioned to do a review of this movie, so I can’t quite discuss it here yet until I figure out what’s going in the article. But…I’m a fan girl. And this movie renewed my faith. Fair warning, semi-spoilers and massive fan girlness (ZOMG!!!ELEVENTY!!!) ahead.

1. People of color have lives! Hooray! Bit parts and supporting roles! Actual lines! Asian men looking suave! I shouldn’t be this excited. Perhaps I wouldn’t have been if I hadn’t seen Wanted. But my heavens, it felt good to see PoCs with enough screen time to actually ACT! Was the film perfect with regards to PoCs? Not by a long shot. But by summer movie standards, this is on the high end. (Go Deebo!)

2. Heath. Ledger. Is. The Joker. (ZOMG ELEVENTY!!!) He had me convinced in the first 5 minutes of the film – and I am a picky so and so about my Jokers (and Riddlers – must get the inferiority complex just right on him.) So, as I watched the film, I had two thoughts in quick succession –

a. Heath Ledger is the best thing to happen to Joker evar.

b. This is the worst possible thing to happen because now his brilliance cannot be repeated! Who the hell are they going to get to play Joker now after Heath pwned the role? Who is going to rock the hell out of a purple suit AND a nurse gown? It takes quite a man to do both, let me tell you.

3. One small quibble – what about teh womenz? I’m not liking this Rachel Dawes character, at all. Where are the women of Gotham City? Selina Kyle (Catwoman) should make an appearance. I’ve only read one comic with Talia Head, but I was intrigued. I’d even take a throwback to Vicki Vale. But this brave lass type character who morphs into damsel in distress when needed? Yeah, can we stop that? Someone bring back the anti-heroines I know and love so well.

Oh, and one other thing. Now, I am going to let things slide, as this was the Joker’s introduction. But things are going to get real ugly if we don’t get some Harley Quinn up in here for the next few movies. And not sucker-ass Quinn, the *real* one. She isn’t arm candy, she’s a psychopath in her own right. Make sure you get that right Nolan!

4. Ooh, the toys. Fabulous mansion, penthouse, Lamborghini, and two motorcycles. Love! Cute cell phone used as well – now that’s good product placement.

5. Yes, I believe. I believe in Harvey Dent. I believe even more in Two-Face. And I believe the villain torch is going to have to be passed to Eckhart.

That’s it from me for now – more next week.

In the meantime, I am going to try to figure out how to not eat for a week or so in order to pay for this ginmormous Batman box set I suddenly feel a compulsion to buy.