Thesis: We will take a look at the opening scene of Dark Knight. The highlight of the scene for most moviegoers was the joker’s reveal at the end of the robbery where he removes his mask. We are all surprised, and in all truth we should not have been surprised. The movie gives us obvious clues to show that the man in the mask is the joker. This analysis will focus on some of those clues and give you a scene by scene analysis of the many different characters involved to understand better the distractions in place to ensure the Joker’s identity remains anonymous. With the help of critics and scholars, the clues throughout the movie confuse the audience and the identity of who the real villain is.
We begin the scene with a 20-second establishing
…show more content…
shot, which is a very tense and chaotic introduction to the movie. Hans Zimmer’s ambient music indicates to us that something dramatic is about to happen. The opening bat logo was put on the screen seconds earlier, and to ensure there’s no distraction to viewers from the build up to the movies opening credits. The Dark Knight has begun, and viewers should pay close attention. We know right away from both the breaking of the glass and the clown mask that we are on the perspective side of the antagonist (looking from the Joker’s point of view). The Film revolves around the attempt of District Attorney Harvey Dent.
Batman and police commissioner James Gordon try to rid the Gotham of organized crime while combating the rise of the menacing and terrorizing psychopath villain, the Joker. (uci.edu) It’s important to take notice of the other clowns featured throughout the movie as well as their roles in the heist. This is crucial and singles the Joker out as the odd man.
The Joker, their characters’ co-existence is a plot convention brilliantly played out in the film to demonstrate the unity of opposites in our world: The United States and Al Qaeda. Many scholars firmly believe that the movie is an allegory of the American post-9/11 era, filled with national anxiety, financial crisis, and constant turmoil overseas (Baum, 1; Porterfield, 271; Tyree, 34; Ip 1; Baxter, 89).
For a more in-depth understanding, lets name the clowns. The clown in the opening scene who shot off the cable in the scene just discussed is Aaron and his partner’s name is Blake. Shortly in the movie were drawn to the scene of the Joker standing at a corner. Viewers unknowingly take a first glimpse at the Joker. Viewers assume that it's just another henchman, but you should think the opposite. When watching this scene, you can see a ten-second slow focus on the mask in his left hand. This should have provided a clue for viewers to pay closer attention to that particular mask. We see that the posture of the man is slightly hunched over. This is how Ledger
…show more content…
portrays the Joker, and it was no secret. There was a consistent stance in the promotional posters. Even the clown waiting on the curb for his ride is a clear indication that should separate this clown from the rest. Aaron and Blake were together throughout the movie, and the same two clowns that were introduced to viewers in the car are now also together. The clown on the corner was alone, his own entity. For the sake of not spoiling the movie, we will call this character on the corner Quattro. However, lets not forget the identity and roles of the other clowns. There’s even more that screams Joker as the heist begins. We get another glimpse of Aaron and Blake advancing to the adjacent building. This tells viewers that this is a coordinated plan. We are taken back to the car where we now have two more sealants. We will call the driver Ebraham, and the passenger driver will be called Timothy. We now have our main crew of five clowns, and we can begin to see their roles flush out. In another scene we see Aaron and Blake preparing for the bank robbery. The movie then cuts to Quattro, and you’ll notice how the camera follows him as he and his two henchmen approach the bank. Timothy knocks out the security officer, restraining him. From this, it's safe to say that he’s the crew’s security guide. He's tasked with neutralizing security. Viewers should understand that this is a planned robbery and everyone’s role is specific and coordinated. Timothy is the security. Ebraham, on the other hand, is the crowd controller. He runs directly up to the front desk intimidating the bankers. He and his partner run loudly and aggressively. Pay close attention to what Quattro is doing in the background (counting the money while the other clowns play their part). Blake is tasked with killing the alarm system. Now we cut back to Quattro, who has a lot of grenades in his bag. He quickly forces one of the civilians under a counter, though it was a fast cut. Blake is shot, and Aaron proceeds to the next part of the robbery. We then get a closer look at Quattro, who is strapping grenades to his hostages. This imagery is shot in high-key lighting and framed at a high angle, depicting their vulnerability and helplessness reflective of their faces—scurrying towards the exit of a bar in fear. Meanwhile, the television is shot at a low angle, showing the Joker’s authority and control over the citizens (uci.edu). This should have been a giveaway clue that this clown was the Joker.
It is exactly what his character would do. “The Joker is in many ways no real person anymore, he is more like pure force or ideology” (Riegler, 10). By denying the audience of the Joker’s background or his identity, the audience is forced into the film’s conflict of order and chaos.
Quattro is the fear inducer. Ebraham and Timothy led the charge causing some panic and inducing fear. However, they weren’t the ones strapping grenades to the hostages.
Observing Quattro’s role this operation is essential to piecing together his true identity. We then go back to Aaron, who we now know is responsible for opening the vault. Timothy engages in more henchmen like behavior and is killed by the presumed manager. Quattro slides across the floor in a very animated almost cartoonish way and when the light hits his suit it has a very distinct purple tone. Heath Ledger transformed the Joker from a “cartoonishly vicious” character to a “haunting psychopath-terrorist” (Baum,
1). Quattro nodes his head both the way he nodes almost comically is an even further indication that this clown is the Joker. When Quattro shoots the manager, note the tense music from the establishing shot fades in. He also cocks his head to the side, which is a mimic action that is executed during his executions. Ebraham then asks where Quattro learned how to count. We can then put two and two together to conclude that this clown has been in a scuffle or two before. Whereas the other clowns seem to be simple-mind henchmen, this new clown is above them regarding skill. Ebraham then makes his way to Aaron, who he kills. Meanwhile, Quattro is menacingly pacing amongst the hostages. The video is shot in low-key lighting, making the hostage’s face barely visible (just enough to show his fear) while the grungy white backdrop reads “Breaking News” in thick, black font. The lighting combined with the mise-en-scene instills a sense of alienation, confusion, and fear within the audience (uci.edu). Walking with a joker like swagger. When Quattro speaks after the gun was pointed at him, many were able to find out then and there that Quattro was, in fact, the Joker. Now his voice is unmistakable, but keep in mind that this film was released in 2008 and viewers may have still been unaware of Quattro’s true identity. As we move on to another scene, the sixth clown in the movie is the bus driver, who’s limited the amount of screen time. We will call him Mauldin. Quattro then approaches the manager after he’s provoked verbally. Note his characteristic walk. Quattro reveals his face and the audience gasp at the shocking twist. The following events paired with the ones just passed, help gives the grand idea of what the Joker’s intent, as well as his primary method, was. Viewers should have known that Quattro was the Joker, because of the establishing shot, the tracking shot, the grenades, the slide, the ability to count and the mannerisms. We have just now analyzed Dark Knight’s opening scene and uncovered the clues throughout the movie that were given to help solve the mystery of the Joker.
“A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a young boy's shoulders to let him know that the world hadn't ended.” Behind all the action in The Dark Knight Rises is an important portrayal of crime and deviance in society. The superficial analysis of the plot makes The Dark Knight Rises seem like a simple hero and villain story and nothing more. However, the film expresses concepts of justice and provides an important depiction of strain theory and the labeling theory.
In “The Dark Knight: An Allegory of America in the Age of Bush”, Ron Briley comparing the terrorist acts of 9/11 to one of America’s top movies, The Dark Knight Rises from the Batman series. Briley gives many different ideas of similarities and a lot of good points, but is not as clear as you would hope someone would be when trying to persuade and convince you to believe such an allegory. Briley is comparing many of the main cast in The Dark Knight to many real people who are not as great as these characters are seemed to be.
As is common in Nolan's films, the leading male characters are driven by their need to get the job done. If the audience has seen others of Nolan's works, they will begin to assume that this man will be more important to the film than just a guy who pulls off a bank heist. This idea evolves through the movie with this character, The Joker, as he is definitely motivated by his desire to finish what he started. This shows when he gets worried at the end of the film when the boat of citizens fails to blow up the boat of convicts and vice versa.
Somebody who had established higher power in their community. Somebody who tried to run from fate, and has the moment of recognition and understanding of their destiny. Batman. Even though he is considered the strong and powerful superhero of Gotham City, Batman's characteristic features show that he relates strongly to that of a "tragic" hero. In the beginning, the Batman is presented at a higher state of appreciation, even though the police see him as a vigilante. Despite his wealth, Batman, otherwise known as Bruce Wayne, is easily relatable to audiences, which makes it easy to sympathize and empathize with the character. Batman is in a constant battle within himself, trying to be the good guy, while defeating the bad guys. His morals prove true when he admits that he won't kill any of the many villians that cause destruction for Gotham City. But, because of this moral, sometimes the villians end up escaping and doing more harm then good. In the end, this interal chaos and internal battle is seen interally and externally through Batman. At the end of the most recent Batman series, The Dark Knight, his exit at the end of the movie is, in essence, his figurative death. Bruce Wayne wants to keep Gotham City safe. And with the "Batman" gone, villians will be least likely to continue to destroy and conquer. As an audience, we cling to the edge of our seats and feel dismay for our beloved superhero and what is to become of
One of the important scenes in ‘The Dark Knight’ which uses a number of film techniques is The Party Scene. This scene makes it easier to understand by the use of camera angles, symbolism and dialogues. An important technique used in The Party Scene is the camera work. In the middle of the Party Scene, the Joker is shown holding a knife to Rachel’s head, as he encounters and recalls his life taking past.
Since 1940, Jokers Venom has been a part of Joker’s arsenal making it’s first appearance in Batman #1. When someone is to breathe the Joker Venom or gas , it kills its victim quite rapidly ,finalizing with a sardonic, vicious smile on his/her face. On one of the episodes of an animated series of Batman , The Laughing Fish , the venom was injected into the fish along into cats to attack the target and conduct the venom. In Jeph Loeb’s and Tim Sale’s Catwoman: When In Rome , Joker’s Venoms is duplicated by The Riddler to blame Catwoman of a murder of a Sicilian Mafia. Joker Venom is presented in many different terms throughout its series, being expressed as Smilex , Laughing Gas, Joker Gas , Joker Juice, Smylex, Laugh - A - Loads , Perma - Smile & Grinning Death. Not only has Joker venom has been use...
James Holmes went to see the film The Dark Night Rises. He was in the theatre for twenty minutes, left, then came back with full tactical gear on and weapons in hand. He shot smoke and gas canisters on innocent bystanders in the theatre. He then shot into the crowd. He killed twelve people and wounded another seventy people. When he was taken the police station they asked for his name. He identified himself as “The Joker,” the main villain in the movie. James Holmes clearly saw the movie and imitated the
Batman (Christian Bale) is hoping to hand on his crime fighting duties to D.A Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) yet when Batman’s cards are on the table the twisted mastermind who goes by the name of the joker (Heath Ledger), forces the masked vigilante to go against everything he ever stood for.
Smoke billows out from a Manhattan skyscraper, damaged by a fiery explosion. This could easily be a scene from 9/11, however we see Batman looking grimly on as a poster advertises the film will be released soon. Clearly this film plays on the fears of terrorism. As depicted in The Dark Knight, the Joker plays the terrorist, while Gotham’s leadership struggles to contain him. The film departs from the superhero ideals of pure good versus pure evil, showing a murky world where moral decisions have to be made in order to stop evil. Because of this, The Dark Knight seems to be an allegory for the War on Terrorism. This paper will look at how the Joker represents terrorism, while Batman represents George Bush and his administration’s War on Terror.
I: Today I am here with the one and only Christopher Nolan, legendary director of countless movies such as Inception, The Prestige, Memento, and The Dark Knight. Today we’re going to be talking about the opening scene of the film, which includes the Joker and some of his goons robbing a bank So, Mr. Nolan, what were your main goals in the first scene?
When comics were first coming out, they were not all that popular but in todays’ world, they have become very popular and well known. Several of these comics have been turned into films, which is one of the many reasons why the popularity has been rising over the years. One of the most well known comics is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. This comic was composed and released in 1986 by Frank Miller. With the usage of Frank Miller’s powerful, intense lines and the artwork done by Klaus Janson’s and Lynn Varley’s it has elevated this comic up to the very top of mainstream comics. In Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, the skillful illustrations on the pages successfully create the thought that there are underlying meanings, which makes the atmosphere a very intense one throughout the comic. The work of art that is presented on the pages in this comic are embedded in such a way that the pages become the continuum for the meaning. One of the main themes that are imbedded on the pages through the artwork in this book is the ideological struggle between Bruce Wayne and Batman.
Why so serious? If I were to ask you that question six months ago, you wouldn’t understand the phrase. Now that The Dark Knight has been made though, most people will understand what I am talking about. Ever since The Dark Knight was created, the joker has been thrust back into the public eye. Most people only know the joker from the performances of Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight and Jack Nicholson in the 1989 film Batman. Most people forget that the Joker has been a villain since 1940 in Batman #1 (spring edition). The Joker has been reinvented every decade since his first appearance. He started off as a homicidal maniac, then a criminal that was just a harmless nuisance to becoming a mass murdering, schizophrenic clown that we know today. He has been named number one on the Wizard’s list for one hundred all-time villains. In this speech I will tell you how the joker was created, the criminal career of the joker, and trademark characteristics of the joker.
Many acclaimed auteurs have attempted to show the universality of darkness, from Robert Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian. Modern films, from Se7en to American Psycho to No Country for Old Men contain the same cynical message, displaying the prevalence of such gloomy perspective. Artists are continually fascinated with exploring the topic because it grounds a larger human worldview, founded on skepticism and uncertainty. It questions people’s inherent morality, struggling with the fundamental belief in innate societal morality and implicating an underlying depravity. If such a misanthropic view proves to be correct, then the world is indeed a twisted
His mental connection with Batman comes out in full force in the interrogation scene with Batman after the before mentioned kidnapping, a point Rodriguez mentions in his article “The interrogation scene with Batman exemplifies this point, when the Joker responds to Batman's claim that he is "garbage who kills for money" by saying "you're just a freak like me!" (Physiognomy and Freakery: The Joker On Film). Ledger’s Joker looks at Batman as just like him and he later destroys the insult that Batman throws at him in this scene, when he burns his half of the mob money. This is a major difference between the two portrayals of Joker as Nicholson’s version is trying to kill Batman instead of worrying about some moral code. This difference is a consequence of Nicholson’s character having the identity of Jack Napier, that he has connection outside the villain-superhero feud between the two: a connection exists to the man inside of Batman, Bruce Wayne. Therefore, Batman becomes a revenge film from both sides as Batman is looking to avenge his parent’s death at the hands of Jack Napier/Joker while Joker is on a quest to kill Batman to repay him for his role in making him the
Becoming the Villain The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is widely acclaimed as not only the greatest comic book movie of all time, but also one of Nolan’s finest masterpieces. This may not seem very grandiose, but when you consider the likes of Memento, Inception, The Prestige, and now Dunkirk, it’s quite the feat for a comic book adaptation to be amongst the best works of one of the more philosophical filmmakers. Through the lens of the superhero genre, Nolan takes an in-depth look at identity, with how we see ourselves, how the world sees us, and how we wish to be seen.