This Batman definitely isn't joking.

Rating: 10/10 (26 July 2008)

Gotham city is alive, it's a living, breathing utopia that build on such a massive scale it almost outdoes Heaths chilling interpretation of The Joker. Boy is this one haunting experience, not only is Heath unnaturally humours but at the same time he manages to chill you down to the bone and despite is 12 certificate I do not recommend this to anybody below the age of 15 simply due to the sheer nature of Heaths character. Not only is it the performance of his life but what a stunning final bow if you will to his career. 10 years on when people are asking about him, the Dark Knight will be the film they turn to.
And while he might outshine the rest of this films outstanding cast he doesn't complete the film. Just like last time Bale seems suited to the role, as if he was born to play Bat Man. Maggie Gyllenhal, the superbly sexy and sophisticated Rachel doesn't pull any of that damsel in distress clique and last but by no means least the stunning transformation of Aaron Eckhart from Harvey Dent into the sadistic and saddening two face is Chilling to say the very least. But this is by no means a mere character film. The action seems unbeatably. When Batman soars from building to building so do the audience. When the Joker laughs his high pitch screech the audience cowers as if he were real. Are you scared yet?
Horrific as it may be, The Dark Knight is by no means rough around the edges competently soaring from Amazing set piece to the other and at an impressive 152 minutes it's a mystery on how director Christopher Nolan managed to keep the pacing in such perfect condition. Could it be that in fact we are all so captivated by the macabre brought by Ledger. The strangeness amounting from his recent passing away. Or is it the action keeping us glued to the screen unable to blink for a mere second just in case you miss one of the plenty moments that quite literally take your breath away. The truth is that its all of these, glued together and pumped with steroids. If you only go see one film this year make sure it's this one. I wouldn't be half surprised if this were to win best picture at the academy. Boy I sure hope it does. In truth we all wish for our own personal Batman. If only to add a bit of mystery back into our society. If I were to fault it in any way I would start with its inability to juggle its mass amount of characters, In retrospect you could merely see this as a justified excuse for a repeated viewing. With a tension building, spine tingling score it seems The Dark Knight is near perfect.
VERDICT: As near perfect as were ever going to get. Not only is The Dark Knight the greatest film of 2008 but it's also this decade's finest film. With its haunting performances and it's out of this world action this flies straight to the top of The Words film of the year list and nestles deep within our sole as the most powerful and disturbing superhero movie to date. The posters might say 12A but I wouldn't trust them. but be warned. The joker could stay in your nightmares for years.