The Most Amazing Movie Ever (this is an understatement)

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2008)

As a huge Batman fan, I stayed away from any piece of information that would clue me into the plot and I checked Fandango on a daily basis two months in advance to ensure I got IMAX tickets opening weekend. Before I being my review, I must say this movie MUST be experienced in IMAX... it is unbelievable.
Now, the movie itself is a non stop thrill ride. This cliché has been used to describe many flicks, but post Dark Knight, this film is the only one that can claim that phrase as an accurate description. Let me warn you, this movie is not for the faint of heart. This is one of the darkest movies I have ever seen. The soundtrack by Hans Zimmerman and James Newton Howard is astounding. It is such an important factor in receiving the best experience for this movie, and whenever this movie comes out on DVD/Bluray, I suggest everyone upgrade their home sound systems.
Even though it is PG-13, it pushes the envelope to being an R rated film. Even there is very little swearing and blood, the whole aura of the film is that dark. It is as accurate feeling for the film because in a world of crime and terror not much is pleasant. How Christopher Nolan directed this film is pure genius. Most of it was filmed in Chicago, and you can get a feel for that as Gotham itself has changed since the appearance of Batman in Batman Begins. Nolan's goal in reinventing the Batman series was to implement it into a real life scenario. He shows the consequences of having masked vigilantes running around and how the terrorist villains could wreak havoc and cause mass panic in society.
The actors performances are all excellent, but Heath Ledger's was extraordinary. The small subtleties that he adds to the Joker are unfathomable. It really makes one scared of the Joker and think that Heath literally made himself insane to play this role. If he doesn't win an Oscar for this performance, I would have lost all hope in the Academy Awards.
Anything you'd want in a movie, the Dark Knight has it. This movie will be the gold standard for all films to be judged upon and it makes me never want to watch another movie again.