Single Best Acting performance I've ever seen...

Rating: 10/10 (11 August 2008)

....and could be the best movie ever made. Granted, I've only viewed this epic masterpiece 3 times thus far, I came away feeling ecstatic that such moments of beauty still exist in this world. Last night(Sunday, 8/10), I viewed the movie in IMAX for the 2nd time at a 6:30 showing. The place was sold out. I couldn't believe people sitting in the aisles after the movie had already been released for 3 weeks. We got there 30 minutes before the movie started and 160 out of the 360 tickets were already sold.
Let's start with the Joker. Heath Ledger is a god. I've never really loved any of his previous work, but I viewed him as a descent enough actor. Heath Ledger's acting in Dark Knight set a new standard for acting. I can't even put a finger on why he was so good, but he scared me. When they rolled the credits, I had a smile bigger than the Jokers, but at the same time, I was left wondering what if. What if Heath Ledger was still alive, what other great things could have he done? Did Heath become so obsessed with his work, and playing the Joker that it made him insane? Or, was Heath already so mentally unstable that it allowed him to play the Joker with such perfection? I think Heath was starting to come into his own, and realize his potential and everything came together for this movie. We all know the rest of the story. R.I.P. Heath, you made this sad person a happy one for a day.
I don't even like Comic Book Movies. With a CBM, you already know none of this could ever happen, so its hard to even have a connection with any movie of this ilk. Unlike other CBM's, the Dark Knight had a very real, almost eerie feel to it. No superpowers, no radiation mutations, no aliens from other planets, just plain people in extraordinary situations. This movie is a classic story of good vs. evil, and why people decide to choose the sides they choose.
What makes this movie a 10? Well, besides the fact that it includes the best single acting performance of all time, I couldn't get enough. The plot was rock solid, with many interesting plot twists that kept you guessing. I don't care how much of a veteran you are of movies or comic books, it was impossible to predict what was going to happen next. I love when movies have a perfect balances between plot, character development, and action sequences, and I can't remember a movie that has ever had a better 'flow'. The other thing that I absolutely love in movies is just when you think the movie is over it keeps going and getting better. The acting was top notch. Christian Bale is better than Michael Keaton, he just is. Old people, accept it, and move on. Bale is cooler, more determined, and has a deeper soul than Keaton ever did. Aaron Eckheart was outstanding as Harvey Dent, worthy of a best supporting actor nominee in my opinion. As good as Bale has been as Batman in both movies Eckheart was his equal in this movie as the White Knight. Heck, even Eric Roberts as the mob boss was a convincing character.
The symbolism and cinematography was also top notch. The whole idea of people destined to destroy themselves, and how chaos ultimately reigns is fascinating to me. The Joker was the symbol in this movie. The Joker symbolized anarchy and Christopher Nolan's pessimistic nature let his character come alive. It's sad that there are such corrupt people in high levels of power, and while it's just a movie, it begs the question....what if?