WARNING: This is not a family-friendly film. The ‘R’ rating doesn’t begin to explain what you will really see in this film. It is far more graphic with more nudity than the‘R’ would indicate.

That said, the quality of the film and the writing was superior. However, I can’t really say that I enjoyed the film-far more violent and than I really like. Also, not an enjoyable escapist experience-far too much to think about and consider.

The story presents you with a sort of parallel universe where super heroes helped to win WWII and the Vietnam war. Nixon is starting his 3rd term, the heroes have forcibly been retired by the government, and the world is on the brink of annihilation still in the middle of the Cold War.

The movie opens with the murder of one of the ‘heroes’- The Comedian- who is hurled out of his high-rise apartment to his death. Through the investigation we are introduced to the rest of the heroes one by one in person and through the effective use of flashbacks. All of these folks were interesting and all had major flaws– The Comedian for sure. The Nite Owl was probably the most sympathetic—the rest I really didn’t care for much.

The most interesting character of all was Dr. Manhattan who through a freak accident had gained ‘god-like’ powers. Increasingly it was becoming more difficult for Manhattan to identify with the rest of humanity as his limitless abilities increased. The major issue dealt with here—what really does separate god from humanity.

Then there was the arrogant Ozymandias who reminded one of a Greek Olympian who was also supposed to be the smartest person in the world. In the end it was Ozymandias who wanted to play god and bring an end to the ‘Cold War’—willing to sacrifice thousands in the process.

This is one of those movies where it takes 3 or more viewings before you really get everything that is offered up, though I am not sure I really want to see it again. Perhaps when the DVD comes out I’ll take it on once more.

This is not only the major blockbuster of the year, but is probably going to become the largest $ grossing film of all time–Titanic here comes The Dark Knight!

There is some remarkable acting in this sequel to Batman Begins. Christian Bale holds his own, Gary Oldman does a remarkable job as Lt. Gordon, Aaron Eckhart adds interesting dimension to the part of Harvey Dent as hero and villain. The small parts played by Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman are icing on the cake.

However, the real show stopper in this film is the Joker played by Heath Ledger. One can’t imagine a more chilling presentation of a truly diabolical character than the one created for us by Ledger. A performance that will go down in the history of film as one of the greatest and most remarkable villains of all time.

The Heath Ledger character forces Batman to choose between the normal life he was seeking and his continuing roll as savior of Gotham City. In the midst of the battle, he forces Batman to make choices that end up being unpopular with regular folks.

However, the most diabolical choice that he puts before the Dark Knight is to force him to choose between what is best for the city or the life of the one he loves. Batman is forced to make the ultimate choice here–a no win situation–and in the final analysis it is all for nothing.

Batman in this film goes from being everyone’s action hero, to becoming a lawless uncontrollable benefactor who acts on unpopular choices that no one else is willing to do for the good of all.  In the process he sacrifices part of himself for the salvation of Gotham.

It is an interesting film on a number of different levels, one that delivers at the theater, and powerfully impacts the observer long after the popcorn has been eaten and the credits have rolled.          *Top

The story begins 5 years after “Superman II” (1980).  Superman returns from space after a 5 year failed attempt to discover any remaining remnants of his home planet, Krypton.  Brandon Routh does a very good job of playing Clark Kent/Superman, and picking up the role that Christopher Reeve defined.  Clark gets his old job back at the Daily Planet, and seeks out his old friends, particularly Lois Lane, who he finds out has ‘moved’ on and is living with her fiance, along with her 5 year old son.

One immediately begins to wonder who’s son he really is.  Kate Bosworth is beautiful to look at and does a good job playing Lois Lane, but she lacks the ‘cutting edge’ aggressiveness that Margo Kidder use to bring to the table.  Superman eavesdrops on the new ‘family’ with sadness and longing from afar, then goes about his usual business, catching crooks and saving lives.

Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is out of prison, taking fortunes from dying old ladies, and hatching his next plot, which includes destroying the eastern half of the USA.  Kevin Spacey does an incredible job in this diabolical role.  There is a humorous side to the Lex character, and then there is a contrasting dark-brooding-evil persona that completes the Luthor identity.  Spacey is able to present both sides in a convincing way.

The story is good, the graphics are incredible, and the movie is first-rate.  It goes down well, and leaves you hoping for more and speculating about the future.

Religious Themes:

This movie picks up the religious themes from the original 1978 “Superman the Movie”,   Superman as a ‘Christ figure’ is obvious.  Jor-EL (Marlon Brando) is cameod and talks once more about ‘The Father and The Son’, he also says:

The people of earth can be a great people…They need a light to show them the way.

At one point in the movie, Lois says:  The world doesn’t need a savior, and neither do I.        At this, Superman replies:  But every day I hear people crying out for one.   (There is one scene where Superman is hovering above the earth and hears the thoughts and prayers of seemingly thousands of people.)

***Continue if you have seen the movie:

Superman saves the USA once more, as he floats back to earth, his body is in the form of a cross and he lands hard upon the earth.  The emergency doctors try to save him, but he appears to die.  Later, he inexplicably comes back to life.  At the end, he visits Lois’ son while he sleeps, and talks about “The Father and The Son” and how they are forever tied.

The movie leaves me hoping for the coming of the ‘real’ superman–Jesus Christ.  The world does need a savior and so do I.  What will the world really be like following his coming?  Come Lord Jesus.

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On one level, this movie is a fast paced popcorn action flick that can be enjoyed by those hoping to get away from reality. On another level, many reviewers have detected parallels to all sorts of current issues and cultural conflicts portrayed in the story.  There is the continuing moral question of treatment of minority people who are quite different and maybe even scary.

There are a number of new mutants introduced in this movie.  Kelsey Grammer plays ‘The Beast’, who is a mild mannered politician-’The Secretary of Mutant Affairs’, until the final battle begins.  Another back story involves ‘Angel’, who tries to cut off his own wings as a child, in order to gain approval from his father.

It is Angel’s father who bankrolls the development of an antidote to the mutant gene.  Ironically, it was developed from blood of a mutant which deadens the unique abilities of other mutants.  All mutants are faced with how to respond to this new ‘treatment’.  Those who would like to be ‘normal’ are tempted to accept the voluntary procedure.  Rogue, for instance, would like to finally touch the ones she loves without bringing extreme injury or death.

Magneto views this development as tantamount to a declaration of war, and seeks to eliminated the ‘problem’.  Our superheroes stand between the Humans and the rogue mutants following Magneto.  The main battle is impressive but lasts only a short time.  There are a couple of major characters who are apparently eliminated, and there are a lots of loose ends at the finish of the movie.  If you wait all the way through to the end of the credits, at least one loose end may be resolved.  The special effects and the end battle are worth the price of admission.

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