The Dark Knight realized

Rating: 10/10 (25 July 2008)

I'll first start w/ saying that if you haven't seen "Batman Begins", you should grab the DVD and watch it, as it will set a little background that may be needed for the first few scenes, and (if you haven't seen Batman since the Tim Burton/Schumacher era) you will be surprised by the 180 degree turn in tone and maturity.
That said, "The Dark Knight" is to "Batman Begins" as "Empire Strikes Back" is to "Star Wars"...more fleshed out, better acting, and better action. The fact that Mr. Nolan uses "real" actors helps the film better juggle the multiple characters with more ease. A lot has been said about Mr. Ledger's Joker, and I agree that it is probably one of the most cunning, pathological characters ever put to screen. However, credit has to be given to Mr. Bale, whose presence as Batman/Bruce Wayne gives the anchor the film would need rather than being lopsided (i.e. Burton's Batman). But the most kudos goes to Chris Nolan, for putting together one of the best, most "realistic" superhero films ever put to celluloid. The actions scenes are a mix of wit and adrenaline, but we are still brought back to great drama and story, which in all make the film tight.
My only issue (and this is where I'll give a deduction of 0.5) is that the ending does leave you feeling that there was less closure than would be anticipated. Nonetheless, this is the Batman film I've been longing for as an adult, and am looking forward to the 3rd one with much anticipation.
9.5/10