An unexpected masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (2 July 2009)

I saw The Dark Knight shortly after it was released to theaters. I hadn't seen Batman Begins, the movie to which this is a sequel. I wasn't the biggest fan of comic book movies; I liked movies that were compelling as well as intelligent and at least marginally high-class. I expected little, though some of my friends described the film as "life-changing" and it was the Number One rated in IMDb at the time. It was spectacular. The film went above and beyond my expectations. It did not have the feel of a comic book movie at all, but rather that of an epic. One did not need to see Batman Begins to understand it. The acting, especially that of Heath Ledger, was outstanding. There were no plot holes that I could find, and the plot itself was replete with surprises. The action rivaled that of any thriller, making the picture seem much shorter than it really was (two and a half hours), and the characters lived their lives and suffered through their experiences genuinely. I was astounded. I have seen it so many times that I have lost track to this day and love it no less. I still jump at some parts. Contrary to popular belief, it was not gory, though there were some disturbing images. Bravo. Ten, and beyond, out of ten.