A Ledgerndary Film

Rating: 9/10 (24 July 2008)

The prospect of Christopher Nolan returning to make a sequel to accompany his resuscitating of the Batman franchise with 'Batman Begins' has been anticipated by yours truly ever since the likes of Paul Bettany and Lachy Hulme were rumoured for the Joker. The last 2 and a half (probably more) years have been an agonising wait for the release of this film so the advance screening was some way of compensation, especially given the spectacle that was to follow.
Collaborating with brother Jonathan once again, Nolan sets the pace finely, from that theatrical and daring bank heist executed by the Joker to Batman literally stamping his authority on the criminal elements still seeping through Gotham City. These two opening sequences serve as a curious juxtaposition of the central characters, the ultimate the clash of the titans if you will. From then on the pace just never stops, this isn't a sparring match between Batman and the Joker, the latter constantly has too much chaos on the agenda, with the public servants on his hit list and the side issue of pushing Batman to the very limit, exemplified perfectly as Christian Bale's Batman grits his teeth in anger as he motors toward his new found nemesis on the splendid Bat-pod.
In truth Nolan sacrifices his usual cinematic traits for the benefit of the linear narrative, which should disappoint a few, but in truth the sheer swiftness of the film is at a shattering rate one can be forgiven for being so immersed in the riveting exploits of The Dark Knight. It is a mammoth achievement that such an indie auteur as Nolan gets to grips with blockbuster movies so effortlessly. From improving on his unsettling dizzying filming of the fight sequences in Batman Begins to drawing out performances of those that have returned to usurp their previous works in the franchise, his meticulous attention to every minutiae is always apparent and again it is no exception. Visually Nolan's cinematographer muse Wally Pfeister excels himself once again with stunning photography, aided by the vitality of shooting on location (the IMAX experience must be earth-shattering) and the musical collaboration of James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer adds a raw emotion that is deeply affecting, serving the personalities of Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent, in particular, to a more acquainted effect.
The sole regret is that the late Ledger will not be able to reprise the Joker again, his performance is such a visceral tour de force it's not a case of that Heath Ledger is the Joker but you are seeing The Joker transcend to screen from the definitive comic portrayals.