Over a decade after it first hit theaters, no superhero movie has managed to top Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. In the time since its release, The Dark Knight has reached an iconic status unlike any superhero film before or since. Fans of the comic book movie genre or otherwise have at one point or another found themselves checking out this groundbreaking take on the Caped Crusader, and for good reason. This film has become the benchmark for all in its class, and it has yet to be outdone.
Prior to Marvel had seen little success with household names like Hulk. While there were big moneymakers like the original Spider-Man trilogy or the X-Men series, they didn't quite manage to make a huge splash in the way you'd expect now, and mostly didn't push the boundaries of their genre.
This all changed when Avengers: Infinity War wasn't as big a movie, all things considered. Knee deep in the age of the superhero film dominating the movies, both Marvel and DC alike have yet to pull off what Nolan did over a decade ago.
What Made The Dark Knight So Groundbreaking
Before Heath Ledger disliked comic book movies until Nolan came along. They were thought by many to be popcorn flicks aimed primarily at children. The focus was to sell toys, not memorable performances. This formulaic and downright boring tradition gave the Nolan trilogy a perfect springboard into the mainstream, taking all that came before it and boldly going in a new direction.
The Dark Knight was so popular because it didn't have that same corny, colorful, comic book feel to it. It looked at all of the over-the-top, cookie-cutter aspects of the genre and did away with them, making Gotham and its citizens feel like they could exist in the real world. The likes of Batman, Two Face, and the Joker became real people with real motives. Gone were the days of the superhero caricature, with cheesy one-liners and flamboyant costumes, and so began the dawn of the dark, gritty re-imagining. It wasn't bogged down by the need to sell toys or connect into a grander universe. The film stood on its own while also acting as a continuation of the Batman Begins story. The Dark Knight was a breath of fresh air not only for the Batman character but for the superhero movie genre in its entirety.
Superhero Movies Are Much Different Now
Fast forward to today, and in one way or another superhero movies have changed since The Dark Knight. Everything, in some way or another, feels grounded in reality. Sure characters like Thanos or the sci-fi infused inspiration taken from The Dark Knight, which first brought this presentation to the forefront years ago.
There is an increased focus on shared universes now than there was back in 2008. Yes, 2008 was the year the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with may spawn a sequel and related DC spin-off movies, and in of quality it can't quite match The Dark Knight either.
The Dark Knight Is Still The Best
Even with over 10 years under its utility belt, iconic quotes all blanketed by a score unlike anything Hans Zimmer had done before.
In doing all that it did, The Dark Knight also managed to change public perception toward comic book movies in ways never thought possible. No longer were they made for kids alone as vehicles to sell merchandise; they were rebuilt as a way to tell meaningful stories by actors who cared deeply about the performances they were putting in. These were not adaptations anymore, but rather reinvention of famous comic books heroes and villains for the modern age. For once there was some legitimacy to the superhero movie in the eyes of critics.
There won't be another movie like The Dark Knight for a very long time, if ever. While it is not everyone's favorite take on Batman, it is by far one of the most appreciated and respected films in recent memory. Without the pressure of interconnected universes or marketing executives looking to appeal to kids, The Dark Knight was able to push the envelope with comic book movies, retooling the genre into something many thought it could never be. Though the business has adapted when it comes to how superheroes are perceived on the big screen, it cannot be understated the importance of this film in bringing them to the forefront of Hollywood in ways unimagined.
