The Dark Knight was another awesome Batman movie from Christopher Nolan

Rating: 9/10 (21 July 2008)

Before I comment on the movie proper, I'd like to mention two things: One, the person I went with-who works at this particular theatre and saw the midnight premiere-thought the bank manager role was played by Jimmy Smits but I immediately recognized him as William Fichtner from "Invasion", the TV series he did with Eddie Cibrian. Also, when the Joker was threatening Rachel Dawes, it was the only time I was taken out of the picture since I said aloud that he was threatening Jake Gyllenhaal's sister with my friend mentioning her name since we both saw Heath Ledger and Jake in Brokeback Moutain a few years ago. Ledger is fine as the main villain though I stop at saying he's better than Jack Nicholson in the role or deserves an Oscar nomination though it would be fine if he did. And Maggie Gyllenhaal is an improvement from Katie Holmes as Bruce Wayne's former girlfriend though I remember liking Holmes fine too. And Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, Dawes' new beau, is also fine with his initial role as "white knight" district attorney later turning into what would become known as Two-Face. And I loved having Michael Caine as Alfred the Butler having a previous background in the battling jungles of Burma so he can tell his master of his dilemma there. Throw in Morgan Freeman's Lucius Fox and you've almost got a perfect movie. Certainly, Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader is even better here than in Batman Begins and he is to me, like many viewers, The absolute Dark Knight here. While the movie may be longish in spots, Christopher Nolan lets it be that way so he can make us really care for the characters. I certainly was very touched by the sacrifices the new Commissoner Gordon, as played by Gary Oldman, had to make throughout the picture especially when he had to deal with Two-Face and his family's peril near the end. So the many who went to see this once and want to do it again, what are you waiting for? P.S. Having not recognized Anthony Micheal Hall previously, I'll have to look for him the next time I watch which may be soon too!