This is an expanded version of the story from Saturday’s The Oklahoman:
NORMAN — Believe the hype, according to fans attending midnight
“The Dark Knight” screenings in Norman and across the metro. ”Going
to see Batman” was shoe-polished on a truck in the parking lot of the
Hollywood 14, and following the film, viewers were glad they had.
Filmgoers were awed by director Christopher Nolan’s epic vision.
“The most adult comic book movie I’ve ever seen,” said Douglas Hurst,
31, of Norman. “It makes you think about what it means to be a hero.”
Others agreed that “The Dark Knight” was innovative and realistic.
“I liked the way they made comic-book stuff real,” said Brian Jones,
24, of Norman.
Theo Karn, 23, originally of Napa, Calif., said the filmmakers
“brought a new idea to the superhero” with their vision.
The anarchic Joker, portrayed by the late Heath Ledger, was noted for
his strong performance.
“That was really definitive,” said Stuart Belcher, 18, of Norman.
“Truly a masterpiece.”
Daniel Martin, 20, of Norman, agreed.
“Heather Ledger did an amazing job, the Joker was played to a T, I
thought, everything from the laugh to the heinousness.”
Matthew Sarsycki, 23, of Norman has been to a number of midnight
showings before, he said, so he knows it can be “exciting and
interesting.”
Other midnight showings he has been to include two of the “Lord of the
Rings” films and “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” and
“Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith.”
“I thought it was a tour de force delivery of epic proportions,
brilliantly executed by Heath Ledger as the Joker. I think this is
finally the first ‘Batman’ film that delivered as the creators of the
comic book wanted. … This is finally the ‘Batman’ everyone wanted to
see, and I’m glad I was able to see it.”
Fans enjoyed the serious tone of the superhero blockbuster.
“It was more focused on the characters than what they can do,” said
Chase Louthan, 19, of Harrah.
Joel Blackmon, 20, of Norman, said he enjoyed the effects of movies
like “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk,” but felt “The Dark Knight”
was more about story than effects.
Casual fans and comic-book experts were united in their praise.
Brian “Buck” Berlin, 24, the owner of New World Comics, 6219 N
Meridian, shared his expert opinion with The Oklahoman:
“Just about everyone did the performance of their career,” Berlin
said. “It really is amazing.”
Berlin said “The Dark Knight” stacks up well with other comic-book based films.
“Watching just about all of them a million times, I’d say this is by
far the best of them.”
Contributing: Richard Hall