Better Second Time Out!!

Rating: 10/10 (26 July 2008)

Wowzers, where do you begin with this film? Epic makes it sounds like a long film where your buttocks begin to get numb and you start fidgeting NOT in this film WOW, from the initial opening sequences until the credits roll a whole 152 minutes later you're a gripped to the screen wondering why has it taken so long for this franchise to get all the right ingredients together to make such a kick ass film? At the end of this film I was breathless, the action didn't overwhelm the film the melancholy didn't overwhelm this film; the balance was struck with deft precision. The actors didn't ham it up as in previous instalments (prior to Batman Begins naturally) and you truly feel empathy for the characters, even the Joker! Ledgers character shared his past whilst committing some fiendish crimes, giving an insight as to why his life had gotten him to this point. I suppose there are going to be inevitable comments made as to Ledgers performance in this role due to his untimely death. It would be disingenuous to praise his role out of sympathy, luckily this is not necessary. Ledgers performance in this movie only reminds us of the terrible loss we suffer from him no longer being with us.
Moving swiftly on, Christian Bale continues his solid portrayal of Batman and builds on his previous outing in 'Batman Begins'. The only tiny criticism I have is Bale himself when he gives interviews he is soooo dull, other than that, the role he plays is great (I suppose that is what a good actor does, take note Mark Wahlberg) Michael Cain is, well, Michael Cain, the man is a legend in his own lifetime and following this performance only adds to his kudos. Aaron Eckhart has at last got a role he can get his teeth into; hopefully this will lead to other work. The switch to Maggie Gyllenhaal for the role of Rachel was an inspired choice and pays off. It's a pity her role won't be revived! Lastly we see Gary Oldman reprise his role as James Gordan. The Gordan role second time out is expanded and supports the rest of the film very well. Oldman has been vastly underutilised in recent years, hopefully this will be rectified.
There will be calls to make this into a trilogy and rightly so, however in the rush to make a third instalment I would urge caution to Christopher Nolan not to be rushed to into something to cater to the studio's lust for more profits..