One of the best of 2008. An excellent action film indeed!

Rating: 10/10 (19 July 2008)

It took about two hours after this movie was over for me to understand why I felt floored upon finishing this film. I understood why the sold out IMAX audience surrounding me looked as though a sledgehammer had just him them. I understood why my legs were shaking as I left the theater, and why my best friend still felt giddy after the credits were through. Simply put, this was excellent storytelling. Pure, unadulterated, enthralling storytelling. And that's something no excess of shake-cam, ADD editing, visual effects, or that overrated 3-D stuff can ever replace.
To be fair, "The Dark Knight" does have a fair share of fast cuts and CGI. But never, NEVER, do they feel as though they interfere with the storytelling. Christopher Nolan and the cast and crew have accomplished something that few are able to achieve today; they have told a gripping story that hooks its audience from beginning to end, never letting down once during the movie. All of that visual stuff only serves the excellent story being told. This is easily one of the best movies of the year.
The ensemble cast does as impeccable of a job as with "Batman Begins." Heath Ledger gives a grand performance as the Joker, effectively showing shades of Frank Booth from "Blue Velvet" in the process. Brilliant. Christian Bale continues to toe the line well between Bruce Wayne and Batman, and in one moving scene, shows some very heartfelt emotion. Morgan Freeman shines in his expanded role as Lucius Fox, and Michael Caine is as reliable as ever as Alfred. Maggie Gyllenhaal does justice to the role of Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart is superb as the conflicted Harvey Dent.
And what a job the crew does! The cinematography is top notch, the editing is perfect, the visuals and production design don't miss a beat; this is a well put together movie. Add in director Christopher Nolan, whose storytelling is uncompromising, intense, and engaging, and you have one of the best constructed movies of the year. I loved how whenever there was a closeup of the Joker, the camera would be slightly out of focus. Who does out of focus shots anymore? Or the IMAX shots; I got jitters looking down that giant building in Hong Kong. Christopher Nolan has effectively outdone himself directing "The Dark Knight." He should be nominated for an Academy Award.
This is one of the best films of this year and will go down in history as one of the best of all time. Job well done indeed!