The Knight, The Fallen Hero, The Joker

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2008)

The Dark Knight isn't just the Batman movie we've all been waiting for; it's the superhero movie we've been waiting for all these years. While there have been some great comic book films like the first two Spider-Mans and Iron Man, The Dark Knight is what really takes these films to a new level. This is a film that does everything right, nails what so many others struggle to and this is one that's done so well, that it's easy to forget this is even a superhero/comic book film. Even with the names "Joker" and "Batman" being used very frequently in the film it's tough to even begin to look at it this way.
There are plenty of surprises all over the place in The Dark Knight, with many of them coming from the story and how much focus has been put into it. It's really quite surprising how much of a focus is put on the story between Gotham itself, Bruce Wayne/Batman, Harvey Dent, the gangs and the Joker. This is just one of the many ways in which the film really surprises you and helps it unfold into something truly special. From every exchange of dialogue, statement made, lie told and all that progresses the story to the very last line you're constantly engrossed in this film from start to finish, it never loses grip of its engaging story.
The actors and performances from them are just as impressive, with the casting being about as good as it can get. When you have a cast that includes Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Heath Ledger, you know that the performances shouldn't be a concern. Even with that in-mind, every performer does an excellent job and brings their respective character to life exceptionally. Bale as Bruce Wayne and Batman is once again excellent, managing to be the likable, sympathetic guy as Bruce and then the focused, swift crime-fighting vigilante as Batman. Freeman as Mr. Fox is once again brilliant and a very likable character; just about any movie he's in he makes his character stand out and this is no exception. Oldman is far and away one of the most overlooked actors out there and his performance here is no less than worthy of anyone else in the film.
That is, with the exception of Heath Ledger as the Joker. Unlike the Joker in Batman from 1989 who had more of a comedic aspect to him in some cases, the Joker here portrayed by Ledger is dark, sinister and at time downright disturbing. His entrance into the film is just one of his many stand-out parts; and after you see his acting while talking (especially those about his scars) you can't help but be completely mesmerized. Some of these scenes are so amazing and haunting that you'll have your jaw dropped for minutes with shivers coming down all over your body (not just your spine). Complete and utter tensions are what dominate you when seeing Heath on-screen. Whenever Heath is on-screen he IS the movie.
As far as action goes, there's plenty to be had, but by no means does it dominate the film or try to be the biggest or best aspect. What's remarkable about the action sequences here is that they aren't the most memorable parts of the film; a superhero/comic book film. Rather than feeling like pointless scenes meant only for entertainment these scenes happen for a reason and help give way to unfolding what happens next in the story. The film even makes fun of youngsters going ballistic over just the action scenes in the middle of one of the chases, which was pretty nice.
Something that this film also manages to do amazingly well that almost no other film (or any that I can think of) is that in-spite of its long running time (nearly 3 hours) it doesn't drag out once. Normally I check my cell phone several times during a movie to see how many minutes have passed, but not once did I do so here. Watching The Dark Knight you'll be saying to yourself that you don't want it to end, because you know that one of the best films you've ever had the pleasure to watch will eventually end and you don't want that moment to come. But the least you can look forward to and hope for is that the film has a worthwhile ending and The Dark Knight doesn't disappoint here. The ending is very powerful, shocking and far from a typical Hollywood film ending. This is the kind of ending that a superhero movie just never has, and it will remain as one of the most memorable endings of all time for me.
The Dark Knight isn't a movie, it's an experience; an experience worth re-living over and over again.
R.I.P. Heath Leader.