Better Than 'Begins'

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2008)

There's been a lot of hype to this movie. I've heard people say it's the best film they've ever seen. I've heard people use words like "mind-blowing" and "transcendent". I've heard reports of applause in theaters when it ended. I've heard Oscar-buzz, especially for the late Mr. Ledger. I've heard critic after critic, person after person, praise this movie. I was skeptical when I went in, thinking surely it can't be THAT good.
Generally speaking, I was wrong.
I will say right off that this is not the BEST movie I've ever seen. That might be taking it a little too far for me. I've seen a lot of movies, and a lot of great movies, and I've seen some that I would put on the same level or higher. But this is still an AMAZING movie. The two-and-a-half hours flew by, and when it ended, I left the theater with dazed senses and the inevitable conclusion that this film was superior to its predecessor. And that's saying something; I enjoyed "Batman Begins" a great deal.
The writing (including the dialogue) was fantastic. The music was very nice. The action sequences kept me at the edge of my seat. And perhaps most of all, the acting was exquisite. Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine all gave excellent performances, and I thought Maggie Gyllenhaal was a great improvement on Katie Holmes (whom I thought was 'Begins' weakest aspect). And then, of course, you have Heath Ledger, who gives not only the best performance of his short career, but one of the best performances in recent years. His portrayal of the Joker is absolutely flawless. The way he speaks, moves, and even the expressions on his face are perfect, and he was absolutely magnetic; when he's on the screen, your eyes are glued to him. He is the shining star in an already impressive film.
Now, I've heard some people say that the only reason this film is doing so well, the only reason people are raving about it so much, the only reason the critics are going on about it, is because Heath Ledger is dead. I'm not denying that his death has influenced some people, and their opinions of the film. But to make that generalization not only is an insult to the film as a whole (which would be just as great of a movie if Mr. Ledger were still alive), but it's an insult to Heath himself. Yes, the knowledge that he's dead added a little extra mystique to the affair, but I didn't go to see this movie because he's dead, and my opinion of this movie and Mr. Ledger's performance has nothing to do with the fact that he's no longer with us, and I hope that's the case with a great deal of other people.
As I said earlier, I don't think this movie is THE best movie ever made, but it's definitely a great film - a masterpiece even - and so long as all the praise it gets is given for the right reasons, it deserves every syllable of that praise.
10/10