One of the best films I've ever seen

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2008)

I tend not to throw around words like "best" or "ever", much less in the same sentence. In fact, I do not have a top 3, top 5, or top 10 movie list. I simply rate movies among four categories: "outstanding", "good", "okay" and "terrible".
The Dark Knight would definitely rate among the "outstanding".
Nolan's follow-up to Batman Begins exceeded the expectations of most Batman fans. Yet, it is perhaps fitting that The Dark Knight doesn't have the name "Batman" in it's title...because it is much more than a Batman movie.
The late Heath Ledger's performance as "The Joker" is so good, it's as if he was born to play the role. His portrayal of Gotham City's least favorite criminal is anything but cartoonish or comic-like. Ledger brings The Joker to a level of villain rivaled only by Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter, or Robert Deniro in "Cape Fear".
With so much hype surrounding The Joker, one would think the remaining characters suffer from lack of screen time and development (*cough* Spider-Man 3). Not true. Christopher Nolan found the right blend of face time and dialog to keep us free from disappointment and confusion. Ironically though, it's The Joker's lack of a back story that makes him all the more intriguing.
Although most "action" movies start with a little bit of drama and are mixed with a lot of action, The Dark Knight's blend consists of a great drama storyline with a decent amount of action. The result? See for yourself.