BATMAN-DARK DESCENT

BATMAN:DARK DESCENT-This film by Smigiel Pictures, Debilu Productions, and Director Eric Smigiel is actually a collection of two seperate Batman Fan Films (BATMAN:BRUTALITY & BATMAN:DUALITY) pieced together into one full length feature. Dark Descent picks up where BATMAN BEGINS left off. This time around The Dark Knight is on the trail of a new and ruthless killer in Gotham City who leaves behind only one clue at the scene of every one of His murders, a Joker playing card. Realizing the gravity of the situation Commisioner Jim Gordon and Assistant DA Harvey Dent join The Caped Crusader in His hunt for the elusive killer. Tragically, during their first rooftop meeting The Joker claims His next victim, District Attorney Rachel Daws. Batman takes the death hard while Harvey Dent becomes the new DA of Gotham. An unsuspecting Dent returns to His apartment later that evening only to find the Joker waiting for him. After spilling His guts to the Joker The Clown Prince rewards Him by throwing a scolding hot pot of water on His face permanently disfiguring Him. Dent slowly starts to go mad, and His pre-exisiting split personality disorder leads Him to take on a new and ruthless persona. As Two-Face, Dent wants revenge and goes looking for The Joker and His Father, who repeatedly abused Him as a child. When The Dark Knight decides to intervene, a three way struggle ensues as Batman fights for the soul of Harvey Dent and The Joker looks to kill them both. The ending of this film has plenty of surprises and wraps up the two films perfectly so do yourself a favor and see this film today. For first time Batman Fan Filmmakers Director Eric Smigiel, cast, and crew did a a fantastic job with this film. The first real strength of this film would probably be the solid script which made for a very believeable sequel to BATMAN BEGINS. The twist on Two Faces origin was very clever, and the graphic description of Harvey Dent's tortured childhood made You understand the tragic character that much more. Matt Livingston, who plays both Dent and Two-Face in the film, fills the shoes of the complicated character quite well and gives an impressive performance. Also look for standout performances in the film from Ryan Sciarrotta as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Eric Smigiel who plays The Joker, and Adam Yancey as Commisioner Jim Gordon. Now that I'm done with the sugar coating it's time for the nit-picking...Ryan Sciarrotta did a great job portraying the Dark Knight, but the Bat-suit definitley needed some work. It was a little too obvious that the costume was store bought at certain points in the film, but Mr.Smigiel did the smart thing by keeping Batman mostly in shadows. The costume wasn't the worst I've seen, TRUST ME, and the cowl looked pretty darn good so, I guess it all gelled in the end. My remaining gripe would be that the actor playing Bruce Wayne's loyal Butler Alfred was way too young. Alfred is supposed to be older than Wayne so when it's vice versa it just looks strange. Those two things aside, smashing job by all, an outstanding first effort indeed! I can only see bigger and better things from Mr. Smigiel and crew in the future. See Dark Descent on Youtube by clicking HERE