The Telling

Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised. Action-adventure movies, in particular ones based on a comic-book superhero, are typically considered cinematic fluff and, as such, rarely given much consideration come awards season. Oh, sure, they frequent the obvious effects, sound, music, and cinematography categories. 1995’s “Batman Forever” was nominated for three Academy Awards in the relative categories. But “superhero movies” are always ignored when it comes to the “big” categories, acting, directing, etc. So why am I surprised that The Dark Knight was shut out of all the major categories of both the Golden Globes and Screen Actor’s Guild, save the obligatory (and well deserved) Best Supporting Actor nod to the late Heath Ledger? (I can’t help but wonder if the nomination would have come had he not died so tragically, and so young. I can’t imagine I’m holding that notion alone.)

In all fairness, I can’t really blame anyone for the opinion that superhero movies generally suck…because in most cases they really just do. In a genre that includes such stinkers as Supergirl, Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, Batman and Robin, Catwoman, Punisher: War Zone, Steel (to name but a few) it’s next to impossible to consider any entry a true masterpiece.

There have been several adequate and down right good films derived from comic book source material. The second Spider-Man has generally been considered one of the best of the breed, as has X2: X-Men United. Both are great films and tentpoles of the genre, but they still ultimately deliver in a very “comic-booky” sort of way. I know, I know…they ARE comic books. How can one even expect to take the notion of a super-powered protagonist seriously, as if it could actually happen in the real world? Valid and proven point. Perhaps that is why it is no coincidence the tide really seemed to turn only when two characters, neither boasting any alien, mutation-derived, or supernaturally-acquired ability, were brought to the big screen in 2008: Iron Man and The Dark Knight.

Both of these films center on characters who are ridiculously rich, whose parents died tragically, who live relatively isolated existences with only one or two very close confidants, and whose only superpowers consist of wits and wealth. And while the demeanor of each is radically different, Tony Stark is a wise-cracking, womanizing, smart ass, while Bruce Wayne is brooding, self-restrictive, and only feigns the front of a billionaire-playboy-gone-wild to deter any curiousity as to his alter-ego, each is driven by guilt and an obligation to right the wrongs of the world as if to serve a penance for past failings. Ok, that part is a comic-book staple; the sole responsibility for the pursuit of justice always rests on the hero’s shoulders. However, the real depth and humanity of the comic hero’s plight has never been brought to the screen as vividly, and, more notably, as realistically, as it was in these films.

It’s no wonder then that the AFI included both in their 10 Best Films of 2008. The only other superhero movie to make the cut was Spider-Man 2 back in 2004. It’s also no wonder that both are among the top reviewed movies of the year.

With all respect to the cast and crew of Iron Man, it is far more palatable to see it lacking in much awards season recognition as it is to see The Dark Knight getting almost entirely snubbed. Sure, everyone is jumping on bandwagon of nominating the late Mr. Ledger’s performance…and as well they should. He was brilliant. Although, I again make the point that this could be in some respect a pity nomination over the loss of such a great, young talent far too soon. Were he still alive, no doubt he would have had a career with many nominations and potential wins. So while I mean to take nothing away from his brilliant performance, I would more believe this nomination is based purely on performance if the film itself were receiving other nominations, such as for Best Screenplay, Best Directing and Best Picture, if not other acting categories. (It is entirely unfathomable to me how a movie with spot on performances by the likes of Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Maggie Gyllenhaal failed to strike a chord with SAG for the Best Ensemble Cast category.)

To make a movie masterpiece out of a comic book character, and create a world in which the idea of a costumed avenger is not only believable but actually makes sense, is exactly what Christopher Nolan has done with TDK, an accomplishment never before achieved. It is a film that so expertly provides escape from, but simultaneously subtextualizes, the current societal feeling of battling a force one doesn’t understand or could ever comprehend prevailing against. This is both a movie that critics adored and that audiences flocked in droves to see, becoming the second highest grossing film in history. This is a film whose composite Rotten Tomatoes review rating (94%) currently outranks Doubt (72%), Milk(93%), Curious Case of Benjamin Button (80%), Revolutionary Road (90%) and Slumdog Millionaire (93%)…all of which garnered a Golden Globe nom for Best Picture.

With this film (and his previous entry Batman Begins), Mr. Nolan has elevated the superhero movie to a superior plane and has raised the bar to a level that could either spell doom for the genre, as future endeavors fail to stack up, or remove the shame and stigma so long attached to superhero movies as other film makers strive to rise to, if not surpass, the level of The Dark Knight.

If The Dark Knight does not secure an Academy Award Nomination for Best Picture and Best Director, then I suggest someone make a movie about a superhero who avenges the injustice.

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