Always Leave Em Smiling! HAHAHA!!

Rating: 10/10 (18 July 2008)

**Just to be careful about spoilers, the only one should be if you know NOTHING about the character of Harvey Dent**
I believe "joygasim" is the word that best describes my feelings while watching this film. I got to the theater early had found the perfect seat. Right up front and center in the main aisle before you start going up so it's at the perfect height to watch it on the ultra screen. I even made sure to grab one of the comfy easy chair type cushy seats, then spent the entire movie on the edge of it! My heart was pounding, nearly jumping out of my chest throughout the entire movie. I walked out in wide-eyed amazement with a silly grin on my face, feeling somewhere between dazed and high. I ran into my friend who was in line for the next showing, and upon seeing my expression, he asked "That good huh?" I believe I garbled out something about it being the greatest movie of all time, and something about its awesomeness being boner-inducing. It's an hour later and I'm still coming down from it.
I guess i should start out with how Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker was one of the finest examples of acting I have EVER seen in my life, and I really hope he gets an Oscar for this. Seriously, I was one of those doubters that kind of thought "An Oscar, really? Is all this talk because he's dead?" But he REALLY stole the show and provided what I believe will go down as the quintessential, classic representation of a madman! Christian Bale was as on as ever, and did an excellent job as the Caped Crusader. I still say he is the best Batman ever. Yeah, you heard me George Clooney!! Michael Caine was again, an excellent Alfred. Playing not only Bruce's butler, but his friend, his confidante, and his mentor... as well as a terrible smart-ass. Aaron Eckhart did an awesome job as Harvey Dent, making the transition between Harvey and Two-Face very fluid and believable, even managing to be sort of likable to the very end, or at least able to be sympathized with. Even Gary Oldman did a bang-up job as Commissioner Gordon, with his role expanded greatly in this film to be a character much more central to the plot!
They say an actor is only as good as the character written and the writers here did an amazing job. Batman's lines, Dent's speeches, Alfred's little anecdotes and advice, and even Gordan's monologue at the very end, were incredibly well written and left me with goosebumps.
All in all, I really do have to say, I'm sorry Boondock Saints, The Dark Knight is now my favorite movie of all time.
In my opinion Heath Ledger has forever embodied the words "Always leave em smilin'!"