The Dark Knight vs. Wall.E
I like Batman, but I also like robots, but which is better? There’s only one way to find out…FIIIIGHT!
Green = winner
Directing – Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight: Sets the film apart from all the other action films this year. Yes, there are linear plot scenes e.g. car chases, but thanks to the first use of IMAX technology, and great directing, it never gets boring and you’re always on the edge of your seat.
Andrew Stanton: The first ever use of live-action techniques in a Pixar film turns out to be the best.
Music (Score) – Wall E: In an animation where the characters can only say two words, you have to know when to get it right, and Wall E pulls the music off beautifully. Down to Earth, Peter Gabriel. Three F’s. Funky, fun, fitting. A great way to end the film.
The Dark Knight – A fresh soundtrack to the Batman franchise, which very rarely uses the Batman theme (twice in the film) which sets it apart from the other films. Also, distressing cello sounds make the Joker even more frightening.
Film Editing - The Dark Knight: Inspired editing makes this the most action packed of the year that never bores.
Wall.E: They had a tough job with editing it, seeing as live action really isn’t Pixar’s speciality, but they managed to pull it off as one of the most fluent pictures ever.
Sound Mixing and Editing – Wall E: Most of the sounds were made by Ben Burtt in a junk yard, but hey, they’re all brilliant and some hilarious.
The Dark Knight: Unique soundtrack of horrible sounds, funnily enough, most of them not even instruments. The editing’s okay, but there are parts which I feld suffered from the use of music.
Visual Effects – The Dark Knight: Why? Oh, they only blew up an entire building and lifted an entire lorry with someone still inside using hydrolics.
Wall.E: It’s Pixar, you’ll always be impressed.
Cinematography – The Dark Knight: Dark is most certainly the word, similar only to The Godfather Part II. Interesting choices in costume and make up also…
Wall E: On completely opposite sides of the spectrum. Colourful to say the least. All scenes on Earth have a sepia tone to them (thanks to Roger Deakins, The Shawshank Redemption cinematographer).
Writing, Original Screenplay - Wall E: Not much dialogue, but it’s a long time since there’s been a film this original.
The Dark Knight: As good as Heath Ledger and the dialogue is, using the Joker again?
Wall – E: Best Pixar animation yet.
Result:
4-4
A tie, how dull. Both films have completely different ideals/morals/aims but both pull them off fantastically. If someone asks me what the best film of 2008 was, I’ll say The Wall.E Knight.
I saw Slumdog Millionaire, It’s a real hit in the USA and I’m really glad that it won those adwards!
Henry
February 23, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Yeah, I didn’t really want to do the awards ‘cos I haven’t seen Slumdog, but I’ll get it on DVD on release.
therealbeale
February 23, 2009 at 6:42 pm
You should watch Frost/Nixon, it came out a little while ago but it looks like your kind of movie, the story’s great and I just think that Frank Langella does some amazing acting as President Nixon himself
Henry
February 23, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I tried, I, and my friends, one of which was 15, weren’t allowed in because we needed our passport or birth certificate.
therealbeale
February 23, 2009 at 7:09 pm
unlucky! It was an ‘R’ here in the US but I saw it. You’ve got to buy the DVD
Henry
February 23, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Yeah I’m 14 and it’s a 15 here, which I think is R. But I have the DVD of some of the real interviews, which I prefer. Do you think Frank Langella is the best Nixon (i.e. better than Anthony Hopkins)?
therealbeale
February 23, 2009 at 7:14 pm
How old are you?
Henry
February 23, 2009 at 7:12 pm
An R is an English 12A, but 17A instead if you get me. I don’t know, the real interviews are interesting, like about the scandal, but it’s a great film and that’s kind of like what I prefer watching, I haven’t seen the Anthony Hopkins ‘Nixon’ but I know that Langella gets right into his character (not literally!)
Henry
February 23, 2009 at 7:17 pm
…ew. But the main thing I worry about is that I won’t be able to tell whats true and whats made up (e.g. the Frost Nixon phone calls), personally I think the real events were dramatic enough.
therealbeale
February 23, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Well, all of the comments above are rendered pointless now, so ignore ‘em.
therealbeale
February 24, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Why not delete them then and clear my conscience?
Henry
February 28, 2009 at 10:32 pm
I want to keep them, as mementos.
therealbeale
February 28, 2009 at 10:50 pm
You’ve watched Wall-E?
It’s so funny
I haven’t watched the Dark Knight though…
Alex Smith
March 1, 2009 at 5:57 pm
henry
May 19, 2009 at 12:07 pm