If you only watch one movie this year..

Rating: 9/10 (25 July 2008)

..then shut it off and go watch this one instead! Everyone has an opinion on The Dark Knight, and most are raving. Is everyone biased? Is it overrated? In my opinion, no. When hype builds up to a near frantic collective explosion (for several reasons), there's usually a letdown to be found at the end of it. Because you hear and see all the praise, but is it really that good of a movie, without all this going on around it? Yes. It sure is.
It has a darker tone, but still a balance of skillful cinema and all the popcorn thrill ride fun you can expect. And most of it comes right out of the blue. The score always gives it a sense of tension and grandeur, and the performances are what makes or breaks it.
We know Christian Bale pretty well as Batman by now - to give the character conviction (especially under that suit) is what he does best. In this he gives it even more intensity, even fury - but that's definitely what Batman is all about.
Heath..well, what else could be said? Everybody sensed something right away, and it caught on. The "Joker-flu" now has its firm grasp on most of us, but I hope there's still someone who will go into it and find the whole thing a pleasant surprise. Heath was at the top when he fell, but he left us an immersed, entertaining, surprising and impressive role. And at the same time very simple.
Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman and Maggie Gyllenhaal are the ones that will surprise you. When focus has been off them for so long, you find that they are still able to surprise you just with little moments, as opposed to the big ones the two leads come with.
Just see The Dark Knight. Hyped up or not, you shouldn't be disappointed.