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30 comments
42 comments
Rank This Matchup or Comment/Reply Below
on 7/17/2010
Oh great..!! I'm the lucky one who's commenting first on this matchup! It's really difficult to choose, but I go with Inception because of the complexiy of it. The Dark Knight is still Batman after all.
Both films are fantastic in my opinion. I'm sure my choice will change every time this matchup appears, but for now I'm still buzzing from Inception. So that is my decision... this time at least!
on 7/18/2010
In terms of narrative structure, The Dark Knight is Christopher Nolan's simplest and most linear film. Even Batman Begins was riddled with flashbacks, but TDK plays it straight, and very effectively. Inception, meanwhile, is probably Nolan's most complex--Memento squared, in a way. Yet, I was never lost, never in the dark as to what was going on. That movie is constructed perfectly. I just saw Inception today, and I'm still buzzing. For the first time since I started using Flickchart, a brand-new movie has invaded my Top 20. However, my heart will not allow it to take down my #2 movie, The Dark Knight. At least not yet. Given another view of both films, I might change my mind. For now, here's my best reasoning: the acting. Heath Ledger in TDK gives a performance for the ages, and everybody else is fantastic. This is not to say the acting in Inception is bad. (Quite the contrary, the relationships between Leonardo DiCaprio and the other characters, particularly Marion Cotillard and Ellen Page, really ground the film in the midst of the craziness.) But the sheer audacity and inventiveness of the concept, by default, means that the actors have a little--just a little--less to work with. As I love actors and great performances even more spectacular set pieces and sci-fi concepts, I have to go with TDK. And yet, as I say, I could easily see myself changing my mind. Christ, this has got to be my longest comment yet on Flickchart...
on 7/19/2010
Team Nolan! Holy crap, can this man make a bad movie!? I love both of these, but Inception was the most intense experience I've ever had at the theater. Saw it opening day, and I can't get over it! Needless to say, I'm on an Inception HIGH.
on 9/9/2010
After I saw Inception with a friend, I had a most entertaining conversation in which we discussed the fact that, when compared to The Dark Knight, Inception was far more involved and complicated. We started joking about how TDK was Nolan's "mindless action movie" that he made "to keep the fans happy" while he worked on more sophisticated films. It was quite amusing to joke about, but looking back I don't really mean a word of it. TDK is one of the most intelligent films I've ever seen with good action, great acting, and an incredible plot. Inception was amazing, but it's not my favorite film Nolan has done.
on 12/11/2010
I chose Inception over Batman Begins, but I have to say that Dark Knight is so awesome that it wins this fight.
on 12/19/2010
Two classics by Chris Nolan, I chose TDK because of ledger's performence, the great action and i loved this picture more than Inception.
I guess I don't like Nolan. Inception was garbage and TDK only tolerable.
inception easy
on 1/12/2011
THE DARK KNIGHT was Christopher Nolan's Little League batting practice. INCEPTION is his World Series home run.
on 2/2/2011
I've got one thing to say - The Joker. More compelling than anything in Inception imo.
on 2/6/2011
BAHHHHHHH!
on 4/15/2011
It's really which one you like more. Both are easily Nolan's best movies. Inception is probably the better movie; the idea hasn't been done like this before, the writing gives the premise believable sense, and the actions by the characters are precise and intricate. Although personally I love The Dark Knight more. The characters actions, the dark thoughts of the villain, the complexity of the characters is just so fascinating that I can't help but love it more.
on 4/16/2011
a tough one but i would say inception
on 5/19/2011
Two of the most hyped films. I really like both, but I think Inception in the tighter film.
Love both...but it's Inception here...
Both are excellent, but I think Inception is Nolan's masterpiece. And that's saying something, because I also think that Memento is his 2nd best film.
on 6/1/2011
The Dark Knight was flawless. Inception was as well, but I wasn't sucked into it as much as with TDK. Besides, Heath Ledger helps steal this win.
on 6/3/2011
Too. Much Awesomeness!!!
on 7/13/2011
:O The Dark Knight is probably one of the only few movies that is flawless throughout its runtime, not saying that Inception isn't, it's just that The Dark Knight had Heath Ledger and Inception...well Inception didn't have him. The Dark Knight wins.
on 7/15/2011
Inception.
NO surprise that people have made 1,000,000 comments. Overall, Inception, but I'll give credit to Inception.
on 7/16/2011
I love both, but TDK will always have Heath Ledger.
on 7/17/2011
this is hard. let me think................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ you know what? i think i'll go with .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... the dark knight, because i still like it after all the times i've seen it.
on 8/4/2011
You know, I've been having a lot of change of heart recently here on Flickchart and to tell the truth, I just really realized the brilliance of Inception. Yes I do love TDK but the more I think of it, the more I remember that I didn't enjoy it as close as I did with Inception. Dreams for the win.
on 10/4/2011
"Overall, Inception, but I'll give credit to Inception" DERP! Both great movies, while Inception is aesthetically complex, I felt the characters of The Dark Knight were more involving, so I'll pick the Dark Knight. Love Cillian Murphy's performance in Inception though, extremely underrated as always.
on 11/16/2011
Inception and TDK are my #1 and #2, respectively, so deciding which was better took considerable time and mental energy. Acting, direction, music, cinematography, etc. were all equal, but Inception just slightly inches past TDK in terms of re-watch value. Not to say TDK cannot be viewed several times, but if I were to give it 20 viewings, I would would give Inception 21.
an ameliorate matrix is better than an ameliorate comic ;)
on 1/6/2012
Do you want to know why I chose The Dark Knight? Inception's ending was too quick. You couldn't savor all the little emotions. You see, in their last moments, movies show you what they really are, so in a way, we know The Dark Knight better than we ever did with Inception. Do you want to know which one had a better ending? But in all seriousness, Inception was great as well, the problem with it in this match up is that I got the awe-struck feeling from both of them but TDK had Heath Ledger and an ending that got me excited while Inception's just allowed for a discussion. One of my main problems with Inception is that even though they're doing all these crazy and cool things throughout the movie, most situations don't effect what would be happening in the real world. This left me feeling that in the grand scheme of things, Inception was just a movie that was filled with mindless action while the actions and destruction in TDK really mattered to the people involved.
In terms of performance, I must go with The Dark Night. Heath Ledger I believe changes the psychotic Joker into so much more, whom would otherwise be just another villain. This is by far the best Batman film to date, acknowledging the performance by Christian Bale as the hero. However, as for concept, Inception has something more. The characters are new and the performances are as expected, great. But, the brilliance of the idea makes us, the audience, think and for once, we are not in control of it, it controls us. That's what makes this film brilliant. And as for the conclusion of this film, I think the idea is that we make of our world what we want to believe. Thus, we determine and believe what we want the end to be; just as Leonardo DiCaprio's character wants his world to be (redeeming his guilt and letting her go even if it means losing grip of the real world.)
on 1/11/2012
Nolan really did a outstading job on both movies. It's tough,but when i compare every single aspect of each flicks,Inception got this easily. All the respect of the world for Dark Knight tough,it has a very high rank on my list.
on 1/22/2012
Heath Ledger's joker alone is better than the whole of Inception.The Dark Knight by a large margin.
on 1/23/2012
This really comes down to whether or not you're a fan of Batman and crack addict Heath Ledger, but Inception for me because it is Nolan's original work unlike The Dark Knight.
As much as I like Heath Ledger, I have to go with Inception for this one. I find the movie more clever and complex than TDK. I find it more memorable too; I've only seen it once, but scenes like the rotating hallway and the buildings folding over really stand out. I can't remember what happens in TDK, despite seeing it twice.
on 2/6/2012
My initial reaction to Inception, was that it was better then The Dark Knight, but after thinking about it for a while I changed my mind. I never got as invested in the characters in Inception and I think there are two reasons for that. 1) Di Caprio's character, though easily the most fleshed out, was kind of selfish. He put other people at risk without letting them know the whole story and then got mad when they messed up. I wouldn't mind if he went through some kind of change, but the movie doesn't even seem to acknowledge how selfish he is. 2) The characters are never in danger of dying. They are I guess in danger of going to limbo, but Saito goes there, and Cobb's already been there. It seems likes its know big deal. And then Fischer gets shot and doesn't go to limbo at all. I still enjoyed it and regard quite highly, but, I enjoyed the Dark Knight more.
on 2/7/2012
I have to say that inception was good but i have got to go with the dark night on this one
on 2/9/2012
*no big deal* Dangit! I wish you could modify comments on here.
on 2/16/2012
Going with Inception. The new big thing this decade.
on 3/8/2012
Inception takes out the prize for Nolans masterpiece.
For now I gotta go with The Dark Knight, my opinion could change though.
on 4/6/2012
This is so frekin tough but I'll have to pick Inception
on 4/23/2012
INCEPTION is so brutally complex and beautiful that I cannot help but say it has triumphed Dark Knight in terms of cinematic epicness. I cannot wait to view the rest of his films in his LONG career ahead of him.
on 5/12/2012
Inception is my favorite Nolan movie. I the The Dark Knight is one of the best superhero movies ever made, but 'bestest moovie evar!!!!!!11!'? Naah. The movie could have been at least 10 minutes shorter, the fake death of Gordon was unnecessary and just used to shock the audience (twice), and Two-Face seems almost pointless when compared to the Joker. I'm looking forward to TDK Rises though.
think**
on 5/30/2012
My respect for Inception has definitely increased on watching it multiple times.It has a complex and intriguing plot with some nicely shot action scenes.Inception is actually a very intelligent film and certainly one of the best sci-fi movies of its generation.However as a film,The Dark Knight is a more complete and satisfying ride for me.Ledger,Eckhart and Oldman give memorable performances and the action sequences with the bat pod are some of the best I've ever seen in an action movie.Going with TDK.Inception is still great though.
You have to go with Inception, it is more complex and all around better.
on 7/11/2012
The Dark Knight, Inception is a lot simpler that people think
on 7/21/2012
both absolutely amazing films.... my love for batman makes the dark knight the winner
on 8/8/2012
i prefer Dark Knight by far! i really like Inception but after watching a second and a third time i don't enjoy it too much
TDK. Because of The Joker and Heath Ledger's incredible performance.
on 9/1/2012
They're both dreary Hollywood turds. I dunno. I guess TDK is slightly less sterile and mind-rotting.
The Dark Knight easily wins this fight Inception is my least favorite Nolan film.
on 9/20/2012
I think this ifs the hard Nolan matchup ever. Memento it's without a doubt better than these, and all his other movies, while great, aren't nearly as good as these. I need to watch them both again, but for now I'll go with Inception.
on 10/19/2012
Dark Knight. Best Nolan movie.
on 10/20/2012
The Dark Knight: Easy
on 10/26/2012
Inception is probably the more ambitious movie and takes more risks--which almost all work--but The Dark Knight is very close to a perfect film. It wins by a hair.
on 12/16/2012
TDK pretty easy choice
on 12/17/2012
Both in my top five, but Inception is my favorite movie.
on 1/29/2013
two great films but the dark knight is better because the action and villain are great.Inception lakes in those but is still pretty good.
on 2/1/2013
This is not hard for me at all. The Dark Knight is his ultimate masterpiece.
on 3/6/2013
Inception is Nolan's second best film (TDK isn't the best).
on Mar 24
My two favourite Christopher Nolan films (for the time being). The Dark Knight wins for being just a little bit more entertaining.
I couldn't tell you why, but I prefer Inception.
on Mar 30
So fricking tough........Excuse me whilst I kill myself.....
Dark Knight is probably the best super hero movie ever. Sadly, it's still a movie where its main character is the most annoying character in the entire movie. Bale's voice as Batman is cheesy and unforgiveable. I like Bale as Bruce Wayne much more than as Batman. Ironically, Joker saved the day. Ledger to the rescue as he nailed it. Seriously, Batman was so bad and Joker was so good that the movie should've been called "The Joker". Inception, on the other hand, is near perfection. Inception wins.
on Apr 9
TDK is the supreme Nolan film.
on Apr 16
Inception is in my opinion Nolan's best
on Apr 17
To be clear: Memento > Inception > DK > Prestige > DKR > Following > Insomnia > BB
on Apr 20
@Nononsense- wow! You consider BB to be Nolan's worst? Strange...Anyways, I'm still sticking with the Dark Knight...Now, its #15 for the Dark Knight and #16 for Inception. Both have been re-watched very recently and I adore both!
on May 5
Inception is the cleverer movie here and has perfected the darker techniques that Nolan used in the Dark Knight.
on May 6
@SLionsCrickey -- Yes, BB is my least favorite Nolan film. I thought it was relatively lackluster in comparison to Nolan's other films. I must admit though, I gained a deeper appreciation for it after seeing TDK. It was then that I realized the valuable contribution BB had in laying a solid foundation for an epic trilogy. But as a standalone, BB didn't do it for me in comparison to Nolan's other movies. But that's not a huge knock considering all of Nolan's movies are great.
SLionsCricket, I didn't mean to misspell your name. Sorry about that.
on May 14
The Dark Knight is probably the only movie of it's kind that I have watched many times.
