The Dark Knight sets the bar not only for comic book adaptations, but for all movies.

Rating: 10/10 (30 July 2008)

Very rarely can you have a movie where everything works together perfectly, but this movie just clicks on every level. The first half of the movie is very much in the style of Batman Begins, giving us only what information is necessary, and keeping a fast pace. Since we've already been introduced to WHY Batman exists, we get to see Bale go through the emotions of SHOULD Batman continue to exist, and at what cost. Then, when you think things are winding down, and is seems like Batman has won, the third act begins. This is where The Joker vs. Batman really hits its high point, as both sides continually raise the bar, and the characters really have a lot to loose. It's an emotional roller-coaster as you're never sure who's going to come out ahead (much like The Prestige).
Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne, and proves again why he's beloved by so many. Bale is able to flawlessly pull off a charming billionaire, while still harboring a darker thirst for justice. As Batman, Bale demonstrates that a man in a bat suit CAN be serious, both about himself and his attire.
Aaron Eckhart brings confidence to the screen as "The White Knight" Harvey Dent. As the hero without a mask, Dent is able to do what Batman cannot fight injustice outside the shadows of the night. Eckhart's transformation into Two-Face is seamless, as we can literally and metaphorically still see half of Dent. His performance is a study into insanity, proving that even the best of us can fall. My only regret here is that Two-Face had such a short life, and we won't be seeing him in the next installment.
The real star here though is Heath Ledger. Before DK, nobody would have ever guessed Ledger would have been able to pull off insanity so well. From the very beginning, The Joker is sinister and disturbingly comical, without stepping on the toes of Jack Nicholson. His makeup and way he carries himself are metaphors for his personality, and his monologues with Batman especially are bone-chilling and powerful. This movie will surely go down as his greatest work, and will leave a legacy for Ledger that will live forever. My one problem is that we never got closure with The Joker. (Maybe at the Ledger family's request?) Director/Writer Christopher Nolan definitely succeeded on multiple levels. There was powerful danger from many directions, making every scene tension filled and nerve-racking. The action was spot on, using stunts and pyrotechnics instead of resorting to CGI. The hospital scene especially was magnificent. As a filmmaker, I know how precise and tedious it must have been to prepare something that needed to be done right on the first take. The characters were all complex, and all had a lot at stake, which is rare for a "silly" superhero movie. Both Jonathan and Christopher Nolan did a phenomenal job writing the dialogue, as every character said a lot through little words, and all had motivated intentions that felt like their choices were very real.
Because Nolan had already proved himself both as a Writer and Director within the Batman franchise, he was able to take the risks necessary to pull off something groundbreaking. Nolan proves that audiences will support 152 minute blockbuster when it's more complex drama than action as long as there's real talent on-screen. Comic fans and American audiences finally get the superhero movie (and the sequel) they deserve, and the numbers will continue to prove it.