The Dark Knight - Exceeds Every Expectation

Rating: 10/10 (17 July 2008)

For all the hype which surrounded and preceded it, the almost three-hour-long film surely delivered. It was comparable to a never ending roller-coaster ride of various emotions and of crafty mindgames. To say that it was unnecessarily long would be true, but I don't think anyone in the cinema really cared  because every single scene, every little second was essential, entertaining and breathtaking. It was the complete experience which just couldn't be dissected into random facets.
The cinematography and the music were very effective. The dark grays which pretty much bordered most of the scenes, the clever editing and the suspenseful pace molded it to become one heck of a great movie.
The story was surprisingly complex and intelligent, which is not very common in superhero movies. Distinctive philosophies and opposing personalities came into play in a war of extremes.
The character development was very comprehensive and the cast was excellent. Christian Bale was effortlessly Batman and Bruce Wayne once again, silent, dashing, troubled and cunning. (I still hate Batman's scary raspy robotic voice though.) He was indeed the flawed hero. Much has been said about Heath Ledger's performance as the psychotic and merciless Joker, and you especially ought to see it for yourselves. He was funny, creepy, alarming, perplexing and everything else in between. He was subtle and he was overpowering... He totally owned it down to the random flicks of his tongue.
Maggie Gyllenhaal was initially a turn off as I felt as if the role of Rachel Dawes didn't suit her for some reason, but she grew on me. It was funny though how it seemed as if she was acting as "Katie Holmes" and not as "Rachel Dawes". Aaron Eckhart was excellent as District Attorney Harvey Dent but was somewhat a disappointment as Two-Face. I'm not sure if Heath Ledger merely upstaged him as a villain, but something was certainly lacking in Two-Face. Perhaps more personality, more polarity  he was Two-Face after all. Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine were also notable in their subdued minor roles.
I was never a comic book fan, but if there ever was a movie that in all honesty made me want to be one  it would have to be The Dark Knight. (Though some say it was quite different from the comic.) With its complexity, its gritty action, its genuine characters, its resolute intelligence and its incredible tragedy, it was something that leaves one breathless. Exhausted even.
Sure, the movie had it flaws  but seriously, I don't think anyone would even dare to nitpick.
It was intimate and yet epic, it was exhilarating and yet heartbreaking. I would absolutely watch it again.