Good But Moderately Over-Hyped

Rating: 8/10 (28 July 2008)

The Dark Knight is a good film. All-the-way-around, it keeps the audience interested and is highly entertaining, decently thought-provoking, and very impressive from a technical standpoint.
The special effects are above average, although parts of it are a little below par and don't fit as seamlessly as we'd all like. The acting does not disappoint; as this film does not rely on the actors much, I have no complaints. Heath Ledger does a convincing job as the Joker, bringing new depth to the character--largely belittling the former Jack Nicholson Joker--however Heath's performance has likewise been moderately overrated. The plot is well-developed, above average for modern action flicks.
In many ways I believe it surpasses Batman Begins, and because of it the series still tops the comic-book adaptations. Tonally, it is the expected sequel. It is somewhat darker, but it continues Nolan's refreshing take on the Batman series. And with this latest addition, it makes all the other Batman films even more forgettable.
However, to say that The Dark Knight is the best film ever overlooks many other great films. Realistically, I would put it on the level of Jurassic Park, giving The Dark Knight a slight edge, but both deserving a spot among the top films in modern cinema.