Okay, now that things are finally happening this awards season, I feel inspired to create another poll. It’s been a while. The last time around, the vast majority of you felt Heath Ledger was a lock to win Best Supporting Actor, and forgive, but this week we have “The Dark Knight” in the mix once again.
I’m frankly fascinated by the lines being drawn in the sand on behalf of Christopher Nolan’s film and Pixar’s “WALL-E,” the second and first place finishers with yesterday’s LAFCA vote and two of the most popular, yet critically acclaimed films of the year. The fights have certainly erupted here and here, and I’m all for the heated discourse. But I thought I’d get a gauge on the overall opinion on which is the better film.
So, have your say in the sidebar poll! It’s not to say one can’t be a fan of both, but tell us which film you think is the better achievement, “The Dark Knight” or “WALL-E.”
Comments
74 responses to “POLL: ‘Dark Knight’ or ‘WALL-E?’ Take your stand.”
Wall-E
Neither film is perfect, but the Chaplin-like themes of the film really push it to an elite level.
TDK is an entertaining piece of cinema, but I think most of us will agree that it is not the most well structured film ever made, nor the best paced. Furthermore, I found myself bored with good bits of the film, something I did not feel with Wall-E
WALL-E because it is Pixar’s biggest gamble yet, and they succeeded.
I love TDK, but it is not as big an achievement as Batman Begins, where the filmmakers took the superhero sub-genre into another dimension. TDK just follows on its footsteps.
WALL-E (but just barely).
For me, TDK was simply a Ledger and Eckhart show. Nothing more.
Am I crazy for thinking that Wall-E and The Dark Knight have a better shot at a Best Picture nomination than Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Frost/Nixon?
Nope.
I want to say that it could be
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
WALL-E
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
The Dark Knight
but I don’t want to count out Frost/Nixon just yet not that I have any reason to count it out
WALL-E, because it was artistically far more original, creative and daring. TDK was a a series of good ideas put after another, but still very conventional in both style and substance. For a crime drama, which often have the most shocking and disturbing scenes of any genre, it was quite bland.
I like “Wall-E” just fine but it just shouldn’t be in the Best Picture race.
I feel like I have been reading about all kinds of “Slumdog Millionaire” hate. Is it possible that it gets left out of the race?
WALL-E, of course. For all that talk about “transcending the superhero genre”, The Dark Knight is really rather messy. I think the greatest fault lies in the weak script. Notice how TDK has had no script buzz? Yeah, that’s because nobody wants to point out the lame pop psychology. Don’t get me wrong, I liked TDK (though Batman Begins resonated with me more). But it was too schizophrenic, too indecisive as to whether it was a gangster film or a superhero movie. For all its flaws, Spiderman 2 was never dull or SERIOUS. Also, TDK for me is overshadowed by Iron Man, which is not only fun, but well-made.
In order for a movie to really pass muster with me, it must be entertaining or provocative on some level, not just well-made. WALL-E satisfies both of my criteria, while TDK does not.
It’s gotta be WALL-E for me, but the decission is a mighty tough one to make. They are my first and second favourite movies of the year so far, and they both have unique strengths that make them elite films.
I agree with Shark. On another point: what’s with the FYC campaign for Bale? Good actor, but come on! (stop the madness!!!)
Both are good, but I like The Dark Knight more. I’ve always found Wall-E to be a bit on the overrated side. Ratatouille is better.
Wall-E for best motin picture!
TDK is an hour longer than Wall-E lets not forget that in terms of funcionality and pacing. In terms of achievement. Wow, technically (literally)that would mean Wall-E but TDK I loved more. Saw it 8 times. Never got bored. For a 150 minute movie, that’s a bigger achievement.
hold on…did somebody just compare The Dark Knight to Spiderman 2? really?
Diego: Get a new schtick, man. Add something to the conversation already.
Anyway, the “WALL-E” supporters are certainly th more vocal, but it seems TDK is ahead in the poll. Very interesting, all of this.
Why do I have to pick? I love them both. And before I saw ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and ‘Milk’, they were #1 and #2 of my top 2008 films.
Though technically I did rank Wall-E above Dark Knight, but again only barely.
The Dark Knight is legendary.
Wall-E will be forgotten after the next Pixar masterpiece.
I’m going to have to throw my hat in there for The Dark Knight. Sorry Pixar, but your movie just wasn’t that strong and it wasn’t drastically better than any of your other films. I could go on and on about the brilliant first half shifting into a pedestrian second half, and how critics are fawning over the Buster Keaton similarities, but it’s been said a million times before, and to me, what makes this movie unspectacular is the ending.
–SPOILERS–
For those who need a refresher, when the Axiom lands on Earth, EVE immediately tries to revive WALL-E in his shelter full of spare parts. She succeeds, but his memory and personality seem to have been erased completely. Now, when I first saw that scene, I thought, “Wow, that’s kind of sad. I can’t believe Pixar has the guts to give their audience such a beautiful yet bittersweet ending. Good for them!” But alas, his memory is magically restored and they all live happily ever after. Pixar takes the opportunity to turn their so-called masterpiece into the next Bambi and flushes it down the toilet in favor of audience-pleasing kitch.
–SPOILERS END–
Was The Dark Knight flawed? Absolutely, but it took more chances and was far more assured in its direction than WALL-E (with a REAL ending, I might add). For Christopher Nolan to do what he did with a big-budget superhero film – Batman, no less – and succeed as well as he did both artistically and financially is a massive accomplishment and deserves far more praise than what Andrew Stanton did. Maybe one day Pixar can make a truly bold film, and WALL-E is a step in the right direction. But for know, Batman wins this one.
I was interested in Wall-E for the first 30-45 mins, but the film slowly lost me (I agree with Chris about Ratatouille)…whereas The Dark Knight just got more and more exciting as the film went on, particularly in the climax of the film between the fallen trio of Gordon, Dent, and Batman.
Just one man’s opinion, but there is no comparison between Iron Man and The Dark Knight…Iron Man was pure comic book movie formula, with an admittedly great leading actor, but that’s about it really. The third act was especially typical. The Dark Knight was anything but, and had a terriffic ensemble cast.
I’ll stick up for The Dark Knight. I’ve seen it enough times to enjoy the little scenes that make it more than just a movie, and into a world that deserves to be revisited again and again. Like how everyone including Batman dismisses Joker as a low-level hood in the beginning, or how Harvey barely acknowledges Gordon at first when they meet for the first time, right after Rachel tells him to treat him nice. Maybe it’s just my inner fanboy, but I think one of the things that makes TDK great are the subtle ways the story shows that there’s a history beyond what we don’t see and what’s explained to us.
I think one of the great things about Ledger’s performance is that he plays it not just as a mad man, but as a guy who’s been ignored for years and people are finally paying attention to him. And I loved how he saw Batman not a nemesis, but as a soul mate. And I loved the scene in the end when Gordon pleads to Dent, how he’s also sorry that things didn’t turn out better between them. I loved how Gordon and Dent were two guys who see the world similarly and had the same goals and just didn’t know how to get there together. Maybe it’s pop psychology, but it’s certainly more interesting to me than “Superhero ends up fights stronger, less self-aware version of himself”
I loved WALL-E too, but I really didn’t find it any better than Ratatouille or Finding Nemo. Whereas The Dark Knight was an entirely new step for the superhero genre.
I like them both, but I’m not giving Dark Knight much support because it is sooo overrated. WALL-E has an out-of -this -world story and the Dark Knight had good storytelling
I really can’t make a choice… these are my two favorite films of the year so far. and even though Ratatouille was a better film, this year we don’t have a There Will Be Blood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Assassination of Jesse James and so on… so I don’t really think that the fact that Ratatouille was a better film should factor in our assessment of Wall-E, or its chances in the big race.
The Dark Knight should hands triumph over Wall-E…TDK is an unparalleled piece of cinema–not only has it made bookus of money (that’s kind of the cherry on top), but no other film this year has catapulted itself into pop culture history…
…I hate to say it but Wall-E will find its victory in the Best Animated Feature…i know that will not be enough for some people, but that’s how it will be awarded…
…PLUS the dark knight also boasts one of the most highly acclaimed and legendary performances in recent memory with Heath Ledger…
…I, like others, wouldn’t be too shocked, however, to see both of them land in the final five though (at the expense of Frost/Nixon)…but I kind of doubt that will happen, but who knows?
Well I’m just glad that for a change there’s two incredibly well reviewed films amongst the highest grossing films of the year, and both are serious Oscar contenders. Why should we have to choose when both are so different and obviously have their artistic merit.
And Emily might have a point there, Pixar never stops improving themselves, so who knows whats next.
I agree with Andre that these were my two favorite films of the year, but disagree that Ratatouille was better than WALL-E. I just don’t see it. The latter is a hugely ambitious project that not only tackles a love story but also ambitiously attempts to tie in the past and future of filmmaking (silent movies vs. science fiction) together. Ratatouille is far more transparent — the whole “try hard and you can grow up to be anything” theme is a little kiddish for me (But, really, I did think the movie was sweet).
I just hope that in polls such as this, the fact isn’t lost that we’re lucky to be having this argument this year. These are two great movies, and not often do you have critical and populist successes duking it out this late in the season. I miss last year, too, but these two movies keep me interested in this year.
Both Wall-E and The Dark Knight are great movies, but the latter is truly incredible. There are so many parts of The Dark Knight to appreciate, and every time I see it I find something new that I hadn’t noticed before. The acting (truly an ensemble effort), the directing, cinematography, etc. The IMAX scenes alone should put it above Wall-E in terms of cinematic achievement. Sitting there in an IMAX theater is simply breathtaking. Also, I want to mention that the score for the movie is ingenious. It works extremely well with the film, but alone, its even better. I sincerely hope that The Dark Knight will be recognized at the Oscars as well as Wall-E, since they both deserve it.
In terms of cinematic achievement, though, I maintain my stance on The Dark Knight.
kristopher: i don´t know how to say a lot of things because i live in uruguay. i can write in spanish? jaja
Fair enough, just combating the constant “WALL-E for Best Motion Picture!” posts.
For me WALL-E is the more successful and satisfying film. It’s magical, it’s breathtakingly beautiful, it’s romantic, it’s loaded with subtext and commentary, and it’s an absolute blast the whole way through.
The Dark Knight is good, solid stuff, but its overall structure and pacing really lets it down, whereas WALL-E is constantly on its toes and never dull.
I really enjoyed both films, but I think Wall-E had a much more streamlined, and cohesive screenplay then The Dark Knight. Still, The Dark Knight is my favorite superhero film of all time. It’s so difficult to compare apples to oranges.
As much as I enjoyed Ratatioulle, that is pixar most overrated films by the critics. It’s only about a rat who wants to cook. Sure, it had the storytelling and maybe it was a bit funnier, but comedy shouldn’t define how good a movie is. Kids and official critics will love it, but their is really no allegorial story to it that adults and teens will find. WALL-E was original. If it doesn’t get its due just as Finding Nemo never got the best pictue nod, I will never watch the Oscars again. Embedded in the 100% love story is discovery and many other things going around. It’s not like the bloated and passionate Titanic where everything circled around Jack and Rose for no reason at all. But in WALL-E, there was a cause for why everything suddenly had to circle around the lovers. Saying that WALL-E is an animated film is discriminating, WALL-E an allegorial love story.
About the Dark Knight, I fell in love with Ledger as well as the character he played. That was an original villian. He didn’t want power, he wanted to prove something. The movie had great storytelling and one nice big symbolism. But again, I’m not giving it too much support because the movie was overrated and I feel that it has enough supporters.
WALL-E and the Dark Knight have three things in common 1) They both cost 180,000,000 to make. Big money. People worked so hard on them, and it paid off for they gave the right effort. 2) They are both are allegorial stories with their symbolisms. (For example, Two-face’s face, and the the name of the ship, the Axiom, and the shoe the plant was potted in in WALL-E). 3) WALL-E and the Dark Knight are of the universal. They are applauded by critics, teens, adults, and children.
The Dark Knight and WALL-E are both worthy for the nod. If the Oscars don’t nominate for BOTH of them, then I will never watch the Oscars.
Dark Knight towers above WALL-E. Not even close.
Patrick, where is your valid agrument?
I’m thinking Wall-E has a real shot at getting an Original Screenplay nod from the Academy.
i think that might be an overreaction, caroline. Not watching the oscars ever again if they fail to nominate two films that would be considered atypical oscar films in just about any other year?
PS
Peter Traverse’s Top 10 of 08:
1. Milk
2. Slumdog Millionaire
3. The Dark Knight
4. Frost/Nixon
5. WALL-E
6. Revolutionary Road
7. The Visitor
8. Doubt
9. Rachel Getting Married
10. Man on Wire
he has one of my favorite opinions on film
Caroline *may* be overreacting, JAB, but I can understand her feelings. It would be heartbreaking if The Dark Knight and WALL-E were shafted in favor of inferior “Oscar-bait” films. It would send the message that unless a movie is a prestige drama, an ambitious epic, or an indie comedy, it doesn’t belong at the Oscars.
TDK.
I enjoyed Wall-E very much, but I didn’t come away with it feeling enthralled or dazzled as I did after watching the Dark Knight.
“This is what happens when an unstoppable force, meets an immovable object.”
I think that this accurately sums up the debate. Yet, at the same time, you know who I’m pulling for.
http://theactionreaction.blogspot.com/
TDK was good, but Wall-E was a masterpiece. In a few years when all the hype has died down, TDK is going to be considered as “just another superhero movie”, while Wall-E probably will be remembered for a long time for its accomplishments.
Go, Wall-E!
both of these are the best films of the year for such different reasons…
kris this is like sophies choice….
but if meryl can pick i pick too….
tdk….
wow that was hard
I have to disagree, SS. While I personally still give WALL-E an edge, TDK will always be remembered as being so much more than “just another superhero movieâ€. We wouldn’t even being having this debate if TDK was “just another superhero movieâ€.
I don’t think either of them are masterpieces. The Incredibles is a masterpiece. WALL-E falls just short of that. For me, TDK was pretty good, but over-long, sometimes dull, and soulcrushingly serious. It takes itself too seriously, and suffers for it. Even pitch black films like No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood have some humor. Ledger’s performance as the Joker was the only light at the end of the tunnel, ironically.
I think the reason people are going wild for it is the friggin’ expectations game. WALL-E is dubbed overrated because it’s PIXAR, which is always supposed to be good. But when a superhero movie turns out to be decent, everyone treats it like the second coming.
Look, while I don’t think WALL-E is heading for a BP nom, I understand it from the critics’ point of view and thus the LAFCA win. They’re completely obsessed by movies, watching several hundreds a year. And thus when a director brings the ancient silent storytelling techniques of Chaplin and Keaton and modernizes them, bringing the oldest filmgenre and newest filmgenre together, while incorporating several influences throughout film history crossing genres from musicals to science fiction classics, it’s probably like a orgastic experience for those… well… filmgeeks. So I don’t think the people who put this off as just another decent Pixar movie realize, that a movie such as described above really isn’t going to be made again anytime soon. This is a movie about movies more than any other movie. I don’t really want to compare it to the other competitors anymore, but when I read that WALL-E is now officially the most overrated movie of the year, sorry, but that just shows a lack of insight in the matter.
The Dark Knight. Though both are brilliant. TDK resonates with me more.
The poll is horribly skewed. Are you aware there are TDK fanboys roaming the internet whose sole purpose is to look for any and every poll in which TDK is taking part and vote for it like crazy.
Of course TDK will win in a poll. It made more than twice the money made by Wall-E.
This might sound offensive, but the results will be much different if you poll more literate or discerning viewers rather than the average Joe on the internet.
Emily hit the nail on the head.
The Dark Knight is a cinematic classic with a performance that will live forever.
And in a couple of years Wall-E will just be another enjoyable animation flick.
And red wine, any “discerning viewer” would tell you this.
I didn’t like WALL-E’s slap-you-in-the-face social commentary. The first 45 minutes or so are cute, but it degenerates into a soapbox-ish type of film after that. Kinda like, “Oh, I see what they did, they made it so that humans were so lazy and obese that they ended the world. Better revamp my lifestyle!”
TDK was just absolutely mesmerizing. Every eye was glued to the screen for 153 minutes. It has its faults too, though. The last 30 minutes is too rushed and not fleshed out. I wish they had saved Eckhart, who was so unnatural, and his alter ego for the part trois.
TDK for me, but it’s probably in the lower part of my top 5.