Rather predictable big-budget action flick that goes on too long.

Rating: 3/10 (21 January 2009)

The excellent score, big money actors, impressive computer generated graphics and the death of Heath Ledger have obviously landed this film into a spot where, frankly in today's trendy, hype-loving, Hollywood-idealizing society, it squarely belongs. The fact that this film is number FIVE on the IMDb top 250...now that says a lot about who uses this website nowadays.
Christian Bale's performance is unmemorable. His 'Batman' voice is over-produced and doubled-up to sound more superhero-ish. Maggie Gyllenhal is hardly acceptable as the film's 'belle' whom Aaron Eckhart and Mr. Bale both adore and long for. She isn't that great. (sorry Maggie!!!) Michael Caine seems bored with the whole project. The best actors are Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman who don't need a big budget mess like "The Dark Knight" to validate them as actors. Michael Keaton made a better Batman than Christian Bale. And now, I, The Lone Biker of the Apocalypse will spill the beans and skate on a sacrilegious razor blade: Jack Nicholson made a better Joker than Heath Ledger.
By about an hour and a half in, I was looking at the clock, wondering when it would end. There are more twists and turns than a full season of "General Hospital," so many it hurts your neck to watch it. It comes across as being a jumbled mess in the end. Harvey Dent's fall from grace is so predictable you'd have to be a middle school student not to see it coming. And why the hell did they keep referring to Batman as 'The Batman?' That was just annoying.
After all, I guess it was middle schoolers who have been on here giving this movie TEN stars. To say it was bad would be silly, but let me be frank: I am taking away 4 points just because I'm irritated at how overrated this movie is! To all you guys who told me 'you have to see this in the theater, it's the greatest movie ever made!' be thankful I was too busy last summer because I'd be coming after you for my ten bucks.
3 out of 10, kids.