Joker outshines Dark Knight

Rating: 8/10 (24 July 2008)

Just a short from me folks!
I found this iteration of the bat myth to be just one notch better than OK. It's okay-ness sporadically countered by a number of amazing touches laced throughout; the Bat on the Batpod using a wall to stop'n'turn, and the obligatory but satisfying truck somersault to name a few (these evoked many a "Wo" from the audience I sat with).
There are, however, two stand-out reasons for seeing this flick. The portrayals of both Harvey 'Two Face' Dent and the lunatic, cackling Joker drag this film by it heels out of mediocrity and into the the good books of the cinéaste.
Two Face was portrayed to disturbing perfection both in terms of performance (Aaron Eckhart) and special effects (the eye, that terrible eye). Bodes well for Two Face becoming 'the' villain as this reboot of the franchise continues.
Second, and more importantly, Ledger's Joker has raised the bar sky-high for anyone taking on the role in the future, conveying 'sociopath' totally convincingly in every frame with both humour and menace simultaneously. His eerily familiar cackle put my hackles right up to be sure.
Bale was solid, but that's it. And it seems he can't 'do' angry. I never got the impression that the Bat was any more than a bit peeved with the Joker's antics. Maybe that's the point, or maybe Nolan had used up all of his directorial juices with Ledger?? I wanted more rage Christian!
There are no weak performances anywhere here but Heath Ledger simply stole the show. Oh, and this sequel didn't seem nearly so lonnnnnnnnnng as Batman Begins, I didn't check my watch once!
Go see it, if only for Ledger's unmissable performance.
End rant.