The Greatest Super Hero Movie of ALL TIME

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2008)

Like everyone else, I came in hearing this was a great movie. I couldn't even find one review that said it was bad; which was weird. Normally, when I go into a movie with high expectations, I am disappointed. Not the case here at all.
The Dark Knight is a tremendously well-told story, with fantastic and realistic special effects. The musical score heightens the viewers emotion. The script and plot were superb.
The real home run was the acting. Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, and all the mafia dons were on their A-games. The acting made the 2 1/2 hours fly by. Christian Bale's Bat Man is so completely superior to previous attempts at the character, it bears little resemblance to Keaton's, Kilmer's, or Clooney's. Ledger's turn as the Joker will be remembered more for the intensity he brought to the character than for it being one of his final movies. Every time he came on the screen, the movie went into another gear. Caine and Freeman were excellent in their supporting roles and, for me, really were the little extra that put this movie over the top into legendary status. Eckhart, who I loved in Thank You For Smoking, was heroically delicious as the district attorney and what he became at the end.
The only disappointment was the fact that they didn't re-sign Katie Holmes for the character of Rachel Dawes. Ms. Gyllenhaal just didn't have the 'it' factor that Ms. Holmes brought to the previous installment. I probably should blame Tom Cruise or Sceintology though.
Overall, this movie hit on all cylinders. It transcends a superhero summer action flick and should be considered on its acting, writing, and drama. It even has time to delve into the human psyche without pontificating. I hope it is not ignored come Oscar time. I've never given a movie a 10, but this is as close as I've come. Go see this movie, you won't be disappointed.