Top quality film but don't go in with expectations that it's the best ever made as it isn't

Rating: 8/10 (31 July 2008)

I went to see this film last thurs with a group of friends and the funny thing is we all came out with the same comment at the end - Decent film but for some reason I feel quite deflated. I think the reason for this was the fact that I read a lot of reviews prior to watching it and a lot of critics were billing this as the best film ever made. These words always get me thinking about films that left a lasting impact on me, the kind of films that keep you thinking and give you that buzzy feeling as you leave the cinema. There are a few like this and if I were to give you my own personal examples it would be : Shawshank Redemption, Usual Suspects, American Beauty, Unforgiven, No Country for Old Men. There are others but what's important is that feeling when u leave the cinema. Difficult to explain but I'm sure you all know what I mean - a type of relaxed satisfaction.
So, back to The Dark Knight. It isn't the best film ever made but it is good. If you enjoyed Batman Begins, as I did, then you'll enjoy this on a similar level. Acting is solid from all parties but what makes this stand out from the other superhero films that have come and gone is Heath Ledger.
Now, on the Ledger point, I do feel sad for his death but I'm not one of those people who will give praise off the back of such sentiment. The bottom line is that his acting performance is VERY GOOD. To best explain, in my mind a good performance is one where the actor in question is able to totally detach themselves from their own personality and become completely absorbed into the character they have created - to essentially live and breath the character to the to the point where you forget who the actor is. Heath does exactly this and with the help of some well written dialogue, he pulls it off. Could Nicholson have done the same if given this version of the joker to work with by the Nolan? - I'm sure the answer is yes. For a decent actor this Joker is a dream role but only for a decent actor so all praise to Ledger.
So to sum up, good entertainment, edges ahead of Batman Begins because of the quality of the villain. Probably better at home on DVD as my ar*e was numb after 2hrs 30min.
One problem I forgot to mention - cos the Joker is so watchable, you sit there yearning for the next scene that's he's in. Problem with this is that you start caring less about the other characters, particularly Batman. Title should be "The Joker" 8/10 Hope this is a useful insight