Great movie, but definitely NOT the best ever!!

Rating: 8/10 (21 July 2008)

I enjoyed "The Dark Knight" a lot. I thought that it was an incredible movie, one that hopefully will deliver an Oscar in Heath Ledger's memory. His performance as the Joker far surpasses Jack Nicholson in the original "Batman", and I was a big fan of that role. However, I feel that some things in the movie could have been tweaked.
First, to address the obvious problem: what to do with the Joker? I don't envy the filmmakers in their task of having to deal with Ledger's death. His death before the filming had finished left filmmakers without an option of what to do with the Joker. In the film, he just disappears. This to me signals that the third Batman movie will take place much later, after the Joker has been killed. The role cannot be re-cast, so this, to me, is the only option.
Also, why was Two-Face only in the movie for such a short time? He plays a very important role in the development of some characters (Robin) further down the road. I think that "The Dark Knight" failed to build an outline for the next movie. After seeing the Joker card at the end of "Batman Begins", the direction of "The Dark Knight" wasn't fully obvious, but it was certainly understood the arch rivals Batman and Joker would fight. With this movie, there's no real direction. Who's the next villain? Do they bring back Two-Face? These questions could hurt the movie down the road.
Again, I would like to make it known, I really think the movie was great. I just feel that things could have been better.
Oh, and to those of you who are reading this thinking "The Dark Knight" is the best movie ever...let's be realistic. This movie in no way compares to "Citizen Kane" or "To Kill a Mockingbird". I will agree it is one of the best, if not the best, movie based on a comic book ever. And it's box office records will stand for some time. But to call it the greatest film ever is absurd. I guarantee it won't even win Best Film at the Oscars.