The Dark Knight is a phenomenal film in almost every conceivable way.

Rating: 9/10 (19 July 2008)

The Dark Knight 7-19-08 The Dark Knight is a phenomenal film in almost every conceivable way. It is proof that mainstream Hollywood films can be good and at the end of the day this film and the few others like it are the reason I hate most Hollywood films. You see they don't have to be as bad as they usually are and TDK is proof of this. This film also proves that films based on comic book super heroes don't have to be childish and silly. Here we have a film that deals with tough issues that are quite relevant to our times and I'm certain the times to come. Should we despair at a world that is tearing itself apart or fight back? Is such a fight futile and what if in the process of mounting such an effort we become what it is we sought to vanquish. The are but a few of the questions I felt this film asked me. It is of note that it managed to pose such questions w/o seeming overly didactic or preachy. As far as the cinematic elements...they are all working quite well in this film. Cinematography is brilliant with emphasis on a bland/cool color palette that is certainly appropriate. It should also be noted that this has to be one of the best paced two and a half hour films I've bore witness to. It never slows down and when its over you are ready for more. Lastly one cant not mention Heath Ledger's remarkable performance as The Joker. One of the great comic book villains finally gets a worthy portrayal on the big screen. I'm certain that in the years to come I will have much more to say about this film so I will end this statement by proclaiming TDK as one of the best films I've seen in years period.