Discuss: Will 'The Dark Knight' Suffer from Too Much Hype?

Truly great events, products, and works of art (including film) can transcend any amount of hype, imho.

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If the movie is as good as everyone says it is. Then there is nothing wrong with the hype, for once we will get a movie that lives up to it and not make us wish the film makers went a different way. (I am talking to you Indy).

It's a good time to be a Batman fan.

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no i expect this to be one of the best films. EVER.

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While I think the hype has been a bit large, I haven't had any trouble tuning it out or avoiding the "spoilier" bits. I'm still looking forward to the film ... and it hasn't stopped me from looking forward to Hellboy, either; one look at the trailer took care of that (heck, I want to move into that gorgeous world).

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The hype doesn't even do the film justice with regards how intelligent and brilliantly executed the film. All the hyperbolic stuff out there is so broad and transparent (to the intelligent reader) that this film will still blow your mind, trust me. You aren't going to be disappointed, unless you are a crazy person.

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"The pre-hype has reached an epic level, sure, but doesn't it sorta take away from films like Hancock or Hellboy II: The Golden Army? Shouldn't they get their time to shine? I feel like The Dark Knight kinda stomped into town, shoved off a bunch of other films and said, "I'm here now ... a little early, so deal with it."

Come on, this is utter nonsense. Both of those films will still be on thousands of screens for people who choose to see them to enjoy. The Dark Knight is a far superior film to both of those and in this country that runs (last time I checked) on a free market economy, the superior product deserves to shove the others aside if that's what the people paying tickets decide (which they will).

This just comes across as whiny, cry them a river why don't ya :P Consumers have choices, regardless of the hype. So boo-hoo for Hancock (which is a pretty lousy film) and Hellboy 2 is a good film which, like I said, people will have more than an ample opportunity to see if they choose to. The Dark Knight will take a whole 3 hours out of their lives, the rest of which they still can choose to see Hellboy 2 with.

Should we throw a misery party every time a quality big film comes out that takes attention away from medicore studio films or simply very good ones?

If you were talking about a film like Transsiberian, which has a limited release against Dark Knight, I might be in line with you on that. Transsiberian is an excellent film that won't really stand a chance against The Dark Knight, but then again it won't be on 2500 screens like Hellboy 2 or 3500 like Hancock come July 18th.

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i dont know, i sort of feel like this article is just as ridiculous as the hype...we don't even know if it lives up to it yet, it's not even out! i'm just finding it hard to avoid all the spoilers before next friday. it's getting insane. so in that regard, i agree, there is way too much out there about this film for those of us who want to go in pure and see it all unfold for the first time on screen.

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There's really nothing movie fans, movie "experts", and Warner Bros. can do about the Heah Ledger/Joker hype about a celebrity who has passed away and is equally associated with a character that is MORE popular than the actor (and will exist in the minds of people longer than the actor).

No one has the right to say "you shouldn't talk too much about Heath ledger" or "you shouldn't get too excited about Batman." Both the person and the intellectual property has a legion of fans far greater than the average actor and the average movie.

People will like whatever they want to like, and Warner Bros has already shown us enough footage in those trailers alone for people to make up their minds about whether or not they appreciate the merits of the movie and the actor.

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No, it will be awesome covered in awesome with awesome filling....

...and really cool sprinkles...

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Your article and concerns are utter nonesense. there is no such thing as too much hype, even with a sequel there is a certain amount of hype and someone will be disappointed because it's been built up too much.

On that note, People should rush to see WANTED if they haven't already -- that is the most satisfying movie this year.

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A month ago I would have said "yes", that the long-standing viral campaign was overdoing it. But I finally caught the fever and am craving information--I've read every single review I can get my hands on, some of them two and three times. "Fever pitch" doesn't even begin to describe it.

I worry about escalation, though. Batman starts using viral marketing and extended build-up, does that mean that the next Cohen Brothers film is going to screen three weeks early for critics and send us chasing dropped CIA files in gyms? Come to think of it, that'd be pretty frikkin' sweet. And at this rate, anything is a welcome distraction from the presidential-election-that-will-not-end.

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Heath Ledger's death unfortunately is having a HUGE impact on this film and the hype. I'm sorry that you felt it was disrespectful, but it is the truth. There are a significant number of people that will see this film because it is Heath's last COMPLETE film. I wrote an article about this on my blog about how his death extended the hype for this movie beyond the normal audience. I have huge respect for him and his career, but this is in someways uncharted territory.

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I enjoyed reading everyone's responses to this blog and I think everyone brings up good points. Here is what I have to say:

With TDK still a week away I feel as though there is understandable reason behind the hype for this movie. I personally absolutely loved Batman Begins for its quality, cast, presence, and artistic beauty. I myself have seen BB 27 times since its release...not because I am a batgeek or know a thing about comics... just because I LOVE THE MOVIE for all it offers. Of course a sequel would be imminent (rightfully so). I think with more of the public recognizing Begins' level of quality everyone intersested is anxiously awaiting another movie of such caliber.

Lets be honest folks...how many times have we seen a new movie make millions, get high praise, reep the rewards of success, have everyone anxiously await a sequel, only to be dissapointed by it? (Spiderman 3, Pirates 3, Shrek, Superman, Indy 4, Star Wars..the list grows)..except what seemed to be the case with the Bourne trilogy.. I am not sayin EVERYONE hated these sequels. But there was no overall mass approval for these movies... I think when we all get down to the nitty gritty..its that moviegoers are anxiously and long overdue for a sequel to trully BLOW there minds again. (am i wrong in thinking so?) With those forementioned sequels, everyone wanted them to be BIGGER and BETTER, but then iffy reviews came out from critics, followed by similar dissappointment from fans, I think TDK is suffering from desperation all across the board. I think these advanced screenings and high praise is a good sign. Critics usually arent far from the real truth about a movie unless there is a personal issue that hits the critic's word of the film. In this case I think we can all agree that movie fans are overally anxious to be trully entertained (mentally and emotionally) We are overally ready for another multilayered film that can pack a punch with action, thrill and audience, and deliver on all levels.....

And if The Dark Knight is our (moviegoers) answer... than I am more than ready for. So lets all hope (I have complete confidence) that this is the real deal cause if it is, I hope to see all of you there waiting in line for a true summer sequel.

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I don't think this film could possibly fail to surpass any amount of hype thrown at it. I say, crank the hype train up to full blast and don't stop until the film reels fall off the projectors.

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I do have a hard time dealing with excess hype, no matter how excited I am for a release (and believe me, I'm severely pumped for this one). It's impossible to divorce your critical reaction from the climate surrounding it, and it can distort your opinion in ways that seem unreasonable later on. So you can end up hating on a decent-ish film like Juno just because it's so ridiculously overrated that you want to try to counteract the buzz a little. Because, after all, the greater the buzz, the higher your expectations, and high expectations often lead only to disappointment (see also: The Golden Compass, Spider-Man 3).

Having said that, I'm confident that TDK will deliver on its promise. At any rate, it had better, because if it doesn't I'll have nothing to get REALLY excited about in the cinematical world until Burn After Reading.

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I just purchased the "Gotham Knight" Anime DVD and, as I understand it, is a sort of loose tie-in that takes place between "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight". I've watched it twice and once again with the commentary. Best $16 I've ever spent. If the dialogue in TDK is as entertaining it'll be SO worth it.

"I put my life on the line to do what I have to. No one else's" Great line.

I expect nothing but good things from TDK. Plus when Kevin Smith says its "the Godfather II of comic book films" you know will not feel bad for spending money on this.

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This will be the first movie I've seen in the theater since LOTR finished off the trilogy. This is the first movie in a long time that I strongly desire to see in the theater, where it'll be bigger and louder.

I didn't get to see Begins in the theater, but it's such a great movie. And, from the previews and early reviews, it sounds like that Nolan, Bale, and all others involved didn't let the sequel effect of crappy rehash with convoluted storylines to make sure they'll have a 3rd movie come into play. It sounds and looks darker and more gritty following an already dark and gritty original.

The hype will continue, and I think this will be one of the very few movies that will live up to the hype. I have exceedingly high expectations for this movie, and still suspect I will be blown away.

As far as Heath is concerned, it's a shame. In all of his other movies, he was the character he played - one of those few actors where you only see the character and not the actor as the character - and I'm sure he brought the exact same ability to this movie as well. It's sad to use his death, as he could've been the perfect fit for Nolan's nemesis in this series.

-m.

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Let me start off by saying that I was completely blown away by every scene, and performance in TDK, but I was especially impressed with Heath Ledger's take on the role of The Joker. Now I'm a big fan of the Jack Nicholson's portral of the character, but Heath was so convincing you couldn't tell when he was Heath or The Joker, which in my opinon is hard to pull off. Now don't get me wrong, we do have some fine actors who could do the same thing, but it was his intensity and determination that took it to a completely different level. Now asfar as all the hype, well, all I can say about that is I don't think that they over-hyped it by no means, and if you've seen the movie then you would agree when I say, that all the promos, trailers, clips, and interviews were dead on by saying this is one if not the best movie that has come out of Hollywood in a long time, and we as movie goers deserved this. It's so sad that Heath will not be around to see all his hard work pay off, but I know wherever he is, he's laughing and smile at a job well done.

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