Smashing follow-up to Batman Begins.

Rating: Null/10 (16 December 2008)

I really like the first one in this current series, 'Batman Begins', because it takes us from Bruce Wayne's young years and then through his mystical training, and his beginnings to fight crime in Gotham City. This second installment is better in many ways, but for me doesn't quite have the charm of the first.
Christian Bale of course is back as Bruce Wayne and Batman. But his childhood sweetheart and now District Attorney lawyer is Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes. She does a fine job but is a definite step down from Katie Holmes.
Most of the buzz has been, especially after his untimely death, Heath Ledger as The Joker. This Joker is quite different from the character Jack Nicholson played in the 1989 version, more sinister and more dangerous. He doesn't have any grand plan, he just enjoys wreaking havoc, and his mission here is to kill innocent people and cause destruction until he succeeds in having Batman's identity revealed. Ledger is chillingly good in this role.
Aaron Eckhart is introduced as Harvey Dent who, after getting caught up in an explosion, becomes Two-Face. Michael Caine is back as Bruce Wayne's butler and father figure, Alfred Pennyworth, and plays the role just perfectly. As well as Gary Oldman, back as cop James Gordon. And Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, now head of the Wayne corporation and Bruce's personal scientific consultant.
The new crime boss is Eric Roberts as Salvatore Maroni, and he is superb in the role. I have always been a fan of Roberts' and it is good to see him in a feature role as this.
Overall a fine movie, both as a drama and as an action movie.