With the release of The Dark Knight Rises, Christopher Nolan’s final installment in his masterful Batman trilogy, it seemed like a good time to look back at the director’s impressive catalogue of films and do the impossible: rank them.
#8. Insomnia
Synopsis: Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn’t set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.
Thoughts: Most will point to Insomnia when discussing an example of a “bad” Christopher Nolan film, but to me that’s not even the case. Insomnia is definitely not a bad movie, it just isn’t on the level of quality his other films are. Nolan created a solid little thriller with a lot to love, it just never really reaches the heights that his other films do.
#7. Following
Synopsis: A young writer who follows strangers for material meets a thief who takes him under his wing.
Thoughts: Christopher Nolan’s first film, Following definitely shows the marks of a first-time feature. A taut thriller with very little meat on the bones, Following is a brisk and enthralling tale. Shot in black-and-white, this little noir thriller shows heaps of promise – promise that Nolan obviously fulfilled.
#6. The Dark Knight Rises
Synopsis: Eight years on, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham’s finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy.
Thoughts: It’s pretty difficult to judge The Dark Knight Rises — specifically in placement with the rest of Nolan’s catalogue of movies — after one film, but I’m quite sure this will hold up (flaws and all) with the rest of the Batman films upon repeat viewings.
#5. Batman Begins
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne loses his philanthropic parents to a senseless crime, and years later becomes the Batman to save the crime-ridden Gotham City on the verge of destruction by an ancient order.
Thoughts: Batman Begins is definitely a very solid intro into the Dark Knight trilogy. While the action doesn’t really hold up here, the horror-elements Nolan employs along with the grit and grime of Gotham really works. This one is definitely almost on the level of its successor, The Dark Knight.
#4. The Dark Knight
Synopsis: When Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent launch an assault on the mob, they let the clown out of the box, the Joker, bent on turning Gotham on itself and bringing any heroes down to his level.
Thoughts: At this point, The Dark Knight is essentially the pinnacle of superhero movies. Christopher Nolan has dared everyone, including himself, to top it. Largely associated with Heath Ledger’s terrific performance as the Joker, The Dark Knight is a solid thriller, drama, actioner, just-about-everything.
#3. Inception
Synopsis: In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception.
Thoughts: I’m in love with this movie, flaws and all. Obviously, Inception is first and foremost both a visual and thought-provoking movies. Despite its narrative (mainly script) issues, it’s hard to judge this one too harshly because where it succeeds, it soars. So original in its inception (I went there) and execution, Nolan has crafted an amazing, thrilling masterpiece.
#2. The Prestige
Synopsis: The rivalry between two magicians is exacerbated when one of them performs the ultimate illusion.
Thoughts: Nolan’s passion project, The Prestige is what filmmaking is all about. Thrilling, mysterious and fully-realized in its execution, this film is all you’d expect from a film about magicians and illusions. Nolan is really the perfect man to tackle this material, as The Prestige works so well on multiple viewing, which is truly quite something, as one would suspect once the trick is revealed the film won’t be as interesting – this is not the case.
#1. Memento
Synopsis: A man, suffering from short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife.
Thoughts: Memento is truly a knock-out. As Nolan’s first major film, the story structure here is so clever, tight and truly genius that you’ll be scratching your head over this for years after your first watch. From the smallest detail to the major themes and narrative of this film, Memento is in control. From the writing, directing, cinematography, and acting on down, this is inspired filmmaking at its best, truly a marvel and one I continue to cherish year in and year out.
Now I’ve shared my thoughts on the best films from the talented Mr. Nolan, you do the same! As I’m sure you’ll come to realize, this is a task that is nearly-impossible, as Nolan is a talent that is hard to break-down from film to film.
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