The Dark Knight excels at protecting Gotham while the Joker is wild!

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2008)

Yes, this movie is as advertised...one of those big time movies that actually lives up to the hype. Once again, like in Batman Begins, the story is not the typical comic book movie formula that was ironically
sort of started by the Batman movie in 1989. You do not see the typical introductions or a sort of cartoony type world. This movie takes place in a city that looks real, the people living here look like everyday people. Batman is still watching over the city as best he can, crime is still a part of Gotham, however, the criminals are now looking behind their backs out of fear of the Batman. Meanwhile, a deranged gentleman known as the Joker is robbing the biggest mob bosses of their money and doing other things seemingly without purpose yet at the same time coldly calculating. A district attorney named Harvey Dent is doing his part to clean up Gotham and Batman sees in him a new hope for the city of Gotham. Someone who the citizens can stand behind and help rid the city of the unwanted criminal element, a "white knight" if you would. Unfortunately, for Batman, Harvey and Lt. Gordan the Joker suddenly takes an interest in Batman and begins a sick game for seemingly no other purpose than for kicks. Great action and story twists ensue as this was a very wild ride and a great summer movie. The acting is great as Bale once again makes the best Batman, Gary Oldman a very likable Gordan and Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine are both back and great too. Heck, even Murphy is back as the Scarecrow and while not in it long makes a nice little appearance. Heath Ledger though steals the show as the absolutely insane clown prince of crime The Joker. Jack Nicholson was good, Ledger is even better as his Joker is even darker. A strange person who seemingly has no past whose origins are a bit of a mystery and who has a very sinister first appearance. Though even more memorable is his next appearance at a mob meeting where he does the most amazing magic trick. A surprise to me was also Harvey Dent's role in the film as I wasn't expecting it to unfold as it did and once again it was perfectly cast. The only complaint I have is a minor one and that is the absence of Katie Holmes as Rachel. She has been replaced and I do not really care for the person she was replaced with as Katie was prettier and more lively and the new lady just seems to be a plug in. Still, it did not detract from the picture all that much as this movie is about Batman facing his greatest nemesis The Joker and you get that in spades. You also get more Batman than in other Batman movies and loads of action. You also get a refreshingly darker tone that suits this version of the Joker very well.