Not enough can be said about this movie.

Rating: 10/10 (26 July 2008)

The Dark Knight lives up to the hype, and far surpasses it. I saw this movie late, over a week after it came out. First of all, disregard this movie as a "superhero" "comic book" movie, because it is much more. The psychology of the joker is truly terrifying, and fully realistic. I found myself wondering exactly how much of an effect playing this character had on Heath Ledger's own psyche, as his performance is so well done that you come to understand that such acting can only be done by becoming the character, as opposed to just "acting." Jack Nicholson is a great actor, but this joker is less cartoonish, mor philosophical in a terrifying sense, and much darker.
As a whole, the movie explores some serious sociological themes, as humans are used as pawns acting against one another, provoked by suspicion and paranoia. The exploration of power in its many forms is fully explored in the film, and almost leaves one sick in how accurately it portrays the true nature of the human race, and how we often fight against ourselves in order to do what we know is right.
In essence, this film is not only dark and scary because of camera lighting and film-making tricks, but because it explores themes and issues that ring very true to the modern day world, but that we either do not see or choose to ignore.
On a closer film orientated standpoint, all of the performances given are brilliant, and I can honestly say, without bias pertaining to Heath Ledger's death, that the joker is possibly the most terrifying villain ever put on screen. The film is very action oriented, and despite its running of 2 1/2 hours, the film does not ever feel long. There are enough plot twists to keep the viewer off balance, and the ending is perfect.
Great film, great directing, great acting, and especially, great writing. Congratulations to the Nolan brothers and David S. Goyer on bringing the public a movie that is truly worth watching.