The best superhero film to date, boosted to hysteria by Heath Ledger's ominous performance

Rating: 6/10 (27 July 2008)

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)
Number 1 - Superhero Film of All Time
The hype for this film can be characterised as unique. It has been almost unanimously hailed by critics and audiences alike, smashed box office records and the performance of Heath Ledger tipped for Oscar glory.
Does this Batman film deserve all this heap of praise? This is the most intense 'superhero' movie to date. In many respects this is a mature dramatic achievement where choices need to be made, sacrifices and characters wondering and being tempted by forces of evil. Yes, 'The Dark Knight' is worthy of strong praise, but to my opinion falls flat from its colossal hype.
The film, at an impressive 155 minutes is overlong and at times unnecessary. The plot is at times excessively complex and confusing at a risk of perhaps boring or puzzling many of its young viewers. Overall I don't have many criticisms for the film and it would be unfair to continue like this because the goods far outweigh the bads, so here we go...
As I said before, this is the best superhero film to date and that is for many reasons. The storyline is at times involving. The action sequences are beautifully shot and edited; the whole film is intense, dark and menacing: Christopher Nolan manages to sustain a feeling of uncertainty and discomfort throughout the film which is a great achievement that adds to the greatness of the film. The cinematography is also excellent providing is us with greyish and dark blue colours to correspond to the tone of the film. An Oscar is probably worthy to Wally Pfister who was also nominated for Batman Begins. However every single thing in the film is overshadowed by Heath Ledger's Joker. The greatest superhero villain we have met on the screen. Stunning. Intoxicating.Terrifying. Ledger's performance must be nominated for an Oscar and not out of sympathy for the late actor's tragic fate but to the immeasurable talent he has inputed into this demanding and draining performance.
One thing though, when the Joker visits the maimed Harvey Dent in Gotham Hospital he claims that he is a man of anarchy and never makes plans. For a man with no plans he is a pretty good planner, choreographing with exquisite precision, the different crimes around the city, plotting bombs everywhere within hours. Pretty good for a man with no 'plan'. Just a little thing I noticed.
Batman's struggle continues as he battles to take down the city's organised crime empire with the help of noble and incorruptible Lt. James Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent. However his attempts are skewed by the arrival of a lunatic calling himself the Joker that only wants one thing: chaos to run wild in the city.
Solid but astronomically overrated.
7/10