Why so serious?Background: As if you didn't know! It's the sequel to 2005's Batman Begins, again starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Michael Caine as Alfred, but with Maggie Gyllenhaal replacing Katie Holmes, and the unusual choice of Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain) as master criminal The Joker...
Review: Well, it was worth the wait. This is a dazzling little glimpse at, primarily, Ledger's performance as The Joker -- and he's every inch the psychotic, frightening lunatic from the gritty comics. To be honest, the trailer needs a few watches for the performance to really sink in, as it's so different to Jack Nicholson's or any other incarnation.
Batman himself takes a backseat, although there are some fun scenes of him on his "bat-pod" cycle (cape flapping) and crushing a car that he jumps onto. But it's The Joker we're all here to see, and the Joker-vs-Batman confrontations should have real spark and malice to them. I can't wait for summer '08.
Prediction: Undoubtedly, this will be a huge hit -- particularly because Begins was such a resounding success, and the prospect of The Joker appearing in director Christopher Nolan's take on this comic-book hero is mouth-watering. The caped crusader may not rule the summer box-office (thanks to the return of a certain whip-wielding archaeologist), but he'll be the dark, punkier alternative.
HD Medium (24 MB)
HD High (74 MB)
HD Best (96 MB)
A little note: unless your computer is sufficiently top-spec, I found that the high/best versions of these trailers can freeze a bit. Maybe it's just me, but... just so you know.
