This movie just shot straight to the top of my Top-10

Rating: 10/10 (19 July 2008)

After months of an INCREDIBLE ad campaign (including whysoserious.com, ibeliveinharveydent.com, ibelieveinharveydenttoo.com and gothampizzaria.com among others) I didn't believe this film could live up to the hype I'd created for it, as with so many films before it. Two people I know saw the film before me, and their descriptions of "much darker" and "really really good movie" just didn't even come close to preparing me for what this film was going to be.
This has to be THE darkest film I have ever seen in my life. No question in my mind that the PG13 / 12 rating is absurd. This film lies firmly in the 15 category for me. I don't think we ever actually see blood shed on screen, but simply the psychological tone of the film is so mature, dark, and realistic (to use the term loosely). I came out of the IMAX completely emotionally drained, an incredible film to say the least. I will not re-type everything said in the above comments, but I agree to that wholeheartedly, action, writing, direction, acting, casting all 100% top-notch.
*MINOR SPOILERS* I did not expect to see Twoface in this film, simply the glimpse we caught in the trailer (in much the same vain as we see Vader in SWE3). The only part of the film I could have done without was the sonar eyes thing at the end. Abit too much, having said that I liked the aeroplane though so it's all part of it I guess.
I saw a review saying that the end of the film spends too long setting up the sequel, I have to say I disagree with this comment, and think that the pacing was superb, and the 'set up' for the sequel was far more subtle than BB. I came out of the theatre fully expecting it to be night, and for two or three large buildings to have been demolished/blown up whilst I'd been in there. It took me a good hour to fully re-adjust to the real world again. The film sets it up perfectly for the Joker to carry on and become who he truly should be: Batman's arch- Nemesis, however as i realised at the end of my hour, that now can't happen because as I suddenly remembered, the Joker wasn't real, he was after all only and actor (although the term 'only' does not do the performance justice) and of course, that actor has now passed away.
An incredible film to be sure though.