cinematic excellence

Rating: 8/10 (13 April 2009)

what can I say, this movie is simply brilliant. The script, the cast, the action, everything is great. Being a big batman fan, especially of the batman portrayed by Bale, I had to see this movie. I had heard a lot of praises from friends about this movie, especially for Ledger's joker. And let me tell you something, the movie really lived up to the hype.
right from the start, the movie is very captivating and keeps you hooked till the very end. straight from the moment when Joker is revealed to the audience, we know we are in for something crazy. Like the joker says in the movie "what doesn't kill you makes you...stranger." Heath is absolutely brilliant in his portrayal of a dark and sadistic, yet funny joker. His "Do you want know how I got these scars.." scenes are purely creepy and reveal the truly psychotic nature of joker. In one word, his interpretation of Joker is awesome.
However, one thing that I did not agree with was people saying that Ledger overshadowed Christian Bale. that clearly is not the case in the movie as Bale again delivers one of the best batman performances I have seen so far. He brings out the darkness in a character who had been completely destroyed in post Burton batman movies. Bale saved batman and again delivers a knockout performance as the caped crusader hell bent on saving Gotham from mayhem of the Joker.
The energy that Bale packs as batman as quite immense. Batman is meant to be a serious character who likes to kick ass, he is the ultimate bad ass of all superheroes. And Bale does exactly what is required of him, i.e kicking some serious ass and jumping of buildings and rooftops...and kicking some more ass. He actually looks like someone you don't want to screw with and portrays a batman that very much resembles the one from comic books. Of course he isn't as funny or talkative as the joker, thats the whole point. So please don't say that the batman wasn't as "entertaining" as the joker based on that. Every little facial expression he makes, everything he says, just seems to fit in perfectly.
As for the rest of the cast, they are good too. Harvey Dent, commissioner Gordon, Luscious Fox, Alfred Pennyworth and Rachel Dawes, all performed by good actors. In fact, they are the ones who went unnoticed due to Ledgers performance and deserve more appreciation.
The Joker and Batman chemistry is great on screen. They perfectly contrast each other, on one hand you have the Joker as the agent of chaos, hell bent on bringing out the worst in the people of Gotham. While batman represents the voice of reason and the only thing that is in the way of joker and his main objective of bringing Gotham to its knees. And when the two meet, you better run for cover. As the joker says, "this is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object."
Overall the movie is a adrenaline fueled ride that leaves you breathless and wanting more, packed with some deep philosophical undertones depicting the conflict between anarchy and order. Chris Nolan truly did a great job in bringing the batman into the real world.