A little late aint it? Well I haven't had all the time lately, as with my MGS4 thoughts. I ended up going to see it opening night, and once again Sunday. Let's say that I expected the movie to be real good-- but I didn't expect it to be as great as it was. The Dark Knight from top to bottom is just an incredible cinematic experience you can't go wrong with-- and you'd be a fool not to see it. Rest assured after the success of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight topples Batman Begins in every conceivable way, from the charasmatic characters, a more darker theme, a better written script, twists and surprises-- and the darkness the movie brings along with it. It may sound funny to say this-- but it's ultimately downright my favorite movie I have ever seen. The action, the emotion, the acting, and the solid production values make this quite like no other superhero movie you've ever seen.
I've always looked as the Spider-Man franchise to be the pinnacle of the superhero franchises, but after seeing both Batman movies, it's clearly obvious that Batman takes the mantle. Batman has always been my favorite superhero because he didnt really have any superpowers, and like all of us-- a troubled being. I was a huge fan of Tim Burton's Batman, and as a kid I was always fascinated with his characters. I am extremely thrilled to say that Batman is back and justified in every way. The Dark Knight makes it even more obvious.
I am also quite impressed with Heath Ledgers performance as the Joker. Looking back at Jack Nicholson's Joker, Heath went to a different level-- a complete psycopath who didn't regard anyones lifes, a lunatic, a madman, bent on destroying Gotham. Psychologically the Joker is a very interesting character. I enjoyed Christopher Nolan's approach of not explaining his origins, because it adds a certain mystery to his character. An Oscar nomination, or win for that matter would do justice because I was quite surprised at first hearing Heath casted as the Joker-- but he takes the role. When people look back and think of the Joker, they will certaintely remember Heath's epic performance.
The other stellar casts such as Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne we're well done, and gave a more darker side of him. The continues struggle in Batman was potrayed fantastic by Bale-- bent on giving into the Joker, or going the other way you could feel the trouble brooding in his mind. The fear that he may have to give in-- the temptation due to the Joker's actions is remarkably done well. The other characters such as Lt. Gordan(Gary Oldman) we're what you expected from the returing cast including Alfred(Michael Caine), Lucius Fox(Morgan Freeman). Maggie Gyllenhal also played her part fantastically well as Rachel Dawes. She brought the same attitude as Katie Holmes in Batman begins, only more outgoing and confident in herself. Aaron Eckhart also played Harvey Dent well, although shallow compared to the other actors in my honest opinion.
The music featured in the movie was as well just as fantastic being able to capture the emotion of the movie in every possible way. The musicial score(the same as Batman Begins) returns and fits in very well. The conforntation with the Joker and Batman was great and you could sense the urgency through the music the two would face off once again. The music aspect shines just as much as the cinematics.
Forget Batman Begins. The Dark Knight is the Batman movie we've been waiting for-- and if you love the franchise you surely wont be dissapointed. While Batman Begins was a fantastic movie, the Dark Knight takes it up a few notches delivering the best superhero movie to date, and a reminder that Batman has cemented itself once again as one of the top movie franchises. Go see it.
10/10
Well I've had the game beat since late June, but I haven't really found the time to really talk about it. First and foremost, a huge applaud for Kojima and company, because in reality-- I think MGS4 is simply one of the best games currently available, and through my eyes an instant classic that has left an impact on a growing gaming industry. In fact I think MGS4 has left a big impact not only myself-- but I think for Snake's fans. Ever since Kojima began his stellar Metal Gear Solid franchise, it's been known heavily for its storyline, and rich cinematic experience-- but subtle hints such has subjects as war, relationships with the characters, passing of our genes, and the emotional factor you have to play in, makes it one of the most intruiging franchises. In a lot of ways its made me look at things differently in some aspects of my life, and this world that we live in.
I don't think I've ever felt so overwhelmed in emotion in caring for the characters, or the subjects that are woven into the storyline as much as the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Thats why I bid my farewell to you Snake-- the same Snake that I've spent the last decade with saving the world. While I won't give the ending-- I find myself wandering, why do I care for this character? That is something that puzzles me.
The video game world without Snake, is one that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I am sure there will be other Metal Gear based game-- but I wouldn't have it any other way. I think Snake's time passed. And MGS4 is a fitting closure to one of the gaming world's most admired characters. Farewell Snake.
Ok well let's just say, I take my words back. The words that came out of my mouth-- that I wasn't really looking forward to Grand Theft Auto IV, or Halo 3. I never once tried to get myself excited, I just couldn't. These two heavyweights are really one of the most popular game franchises of it's time, and spending a huge amount of time and owning all of the installments of the games, makes me really wonder why I was for a time not the least bit excited for the latest installments in these critically acclaimed franchises. Perhaps the whole run and gun concept of Halo grew old, after Gears of War hit the Xbox 360, I'd probably say I hold higher standards for a shooter game, but than again you really can't compare the two since one is a third-person shooter, and the other is a first-person shooter. As for Grand Theft Auto IV, and seeing the trailer I wasn't nearly as excited as when I first played GTA III, years ago. It's hard to believe that it's been that long-- but after seeing the latest trailer, I couldn't hold it in anymore-- I want this game in the worst possible way.
In fact to be rather blunt, if it wasn't for E3 this year my level of anticipation probably wouldn't have rose to the level it has. Seeing the campaign mode trailer(or so it looked like), I was trying to devour what exactly I saw. My first impression of course was the fact that it's your typical Halo game. You take a gun, you fight the Covenant, and you do so in some extremely cool outside environments. I loved the first Halo game, and me personally I consider it to be one of the greatest games of all time. The first day the Xbox came out, I sat there at launch with my brother just to get my hands on the game. I heard how great it is-- and until you play it, you don't really realize the scope of the game entirely. It's just flat-out a fantastic game. Halo 2 on the other hand-- was a solid game, but for me personally despite it's addictive multiplayer just lost my faith in the franchise. But after seeing Halo 3, as aforementioned, I seen the typical Halo elements. I wasn't really excited to be honest. But one thing that Halo 3 from my personal translation from the trailer is trying to do is tell you the gamer a story.
I don't know how I came up with that translation to be quite honest-- but after seeing it, it looks as if Master Chief just has more than fighting for humanity, but also for personal purposes. I don't know exactly what will take place for Master Chief, but whatever it is, I'm extremely excited. And it's not too far off the radar. As for Grand Theft Auto IV, I don't know what sparked it for me, but Niko Bellic is seriously a fitting role in such a high-profile game. The elements the game will include, and it's ficticious replica city, Liberty City is looking fantastic. If I could say one reason why I absolutely have to have GTA IV-- it would have to be for the most part a technological advancement. And what I mean by that is how the developers of Rockstar is using the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3's capabilities to deliver realistic A.I. Past GTA games it didn't matter what time it was, you we're for the most part left alone, unless you tried to punch the wrong guy in the face. But in GTA IV, you'd best stay away from the games dangerous spots if you want to survive.
And perhaps the greatest thing about these two games, is we won't have to wait for too long.
