'Number two of all-time' for a reason.

Rating: 10/10 (27 July 2008)

It all started with the entrance of 1989's BATMAN directed by Tim Burton. I was an instant fan and lover of the story of the night city dweller, Batman. And justice for all that he fought for. I read the 'USA Today' newspaper box back then with the headlines popping Nicholson's 'Joker' steals the show! It made something like 240 million in the theater, domestic! I saw it on a huge screen, it was phenomenal. Saw bumper stickers and tee-shirts and everything Batman in 89, that's how you knew it was great.
When the fourth installment of Batman had surfaced with the 1997 "Batman & Robin" I had lost all hope in the enjoyment of another episode on the big screen for a returning Batman. So did a lot of other fans from what I had heard, even from a friend who had been an 'extra' in Batman & Robin. The beginning of The Dark Knight was perfect, simply put... perfect. The overall good news is that the film continues to sore.
From the onset the Joker sets foot inside the Gotham arena and all Hell breaks loose. This gives new meaning to the word 'bank job'. There is a battle between the crusader for justice and the lunatic fringe. I was or should I say we collectively, my wife and I were both not only shocked at the performances but mesmerized. Let's face it, it would be hard not to be very impressed at the hard work put into this comic hero piece. The audio score seems to go from pulse pounding good background music to a spine tingling hissing scream. It was one of those additional characters (the music) that drove you to the edge of your seat and propelled the scenes farther, from curiosity to an utterly enthralled state of being. It is intense. Hans Zimmer,is again right in place for this big and sometimes scary story of Gothic proportions.
From the change of the make-up style and attitude, Nicholson's joker was a lot of fun, and crazed, but Heath's was played to a menacing height. He was Jack's joker-in high definition, on 'Crack'. POW!! He just hits with a G-force that doesn't stop! Heath Ledger, I did not realize was so versatile. He powered through and just when you think he's down and ready to go out, he is back out on the street again in full array. Bale's Batman was strong as ever and gritty when on the prowl. He was growlingly low-voiced and driven, with a more serious performance than others that had preceded, but with fun lines here and there too. Not campy however, but kick-ass! Batman has grown up and should be taken seriously. The cast including Gary Oldman as 'commissioner Gordon' and Arron Eckhart as 'Harvey Dent' the roundly known 'White Knight'of Gotham city are a perfect match and brilliant performances. They shined in this follow up to the 'Begins' chapter and I am so thankful that Christopher Nolan had brought the dark knight to the serious forefront again. This needed to happened for the series to 'survive'.
I was or rather 'we' were blown away by the rock solid job of casting, shooting, acting, directing and the writing that made this a real epic film, not just another Batman movie. I look forward to buying this one on DVD and the next adventure beginning in the (hopefully) not too distant future for the Batman dynasty. These last two films in the series make it all worth while to any discriminating action /adventure comic book fanatic and or the regular film buffs looking for a film to get some real satisfaction.
The Dark Knight delivers powerful performances from all aspects...even my wife who doesn't have a tendency to reminisce about pop film and cult films was amazed at how much she enjoyed as did I this scorcher. The grand entrance at the mob meeting was superb! Then, his pencil 'trick' set the stage for the rest of the story. -
The Dark Knight is a highly recommended watch it again and again super hero epic, that shines like gold! ****
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