Did he lives up to the hype?

Rating: 8/10 (16 July 2008)

I had high expectations for this movie and went straight after work last night. Once we got passed the undercover cops with night vision goggles and got to out seats 'The Dark Knight' didn't disappoint... Well not too much anyway.
With all the hype about Heath Ledger was it as good as everyone talked about? Heath's performance was fantastic. He was creepy, insane and the close ups was where he really shined. He had this quirk where he kept licking his lips. There is a wonderful part of the movie that will make you laugh and shudder at the same time. We'll leave it as The Joker dressed as a woman.
Personally I think his performance is up there with all the hype, but does he deserve an Oscar? I'd say he'd be high up there. Unfortunately we'll never know if he deserves it on his acting ability or his death. This was his best performance.
Christian Bale, Gyllenhaal and Freeman all played there parts well, but they all just seemed like a fill in for when the Joker wasn't on screen.
Gary Oldman was great and Aaron Eckhart shone as Harvey Dent. I actually thought we'd see him transform at the end and he'd be used in the next movie. It was a nice surprise to see his alter ego come out. He did look like terminator though.
The movie was fun, dark and I didn't expect it to end the way it did. I came out a little disappointed that I'd never see Heath again and also felt a little underdone with Christian Bale in the movie.
Heath simply steals the show as the joker you'll be left wanting more.
Sadly the movie as a whole almost felt like a fill in for an even bigger sequel.