A solid classic, through and through.

Rating: 9/10 (16 March 2009)

When I first saw the previews for The Dark Knight I was very excited. I had never really been a Batman fan, and I didn't find Batman Begins to be that great. But the first preview I saw for The Dark Knight grabbed my attention instantly with that maniacal laugh set to the scene of an explosion strewn with playing cards.
Obviously my interest increased as they began to show us more, and by the time I sat down in the theater to watch the film itself I had very high expectations. Perhaps even the highest I've had for a movie. I wasn't disappointed by it; in fact my stringent standards were far surpassed, and now after watching it close to a dozen times, it only goes further beyond.
We all know the obvious points of interest and praise held by The Dark Knight. But to me, every aspect of this work is masterful. The casting is flawless. Even the most unimportant characters we see on the screen seem to have jumped there right out of an Action Comics book. Even the voice that shouts out ("Things are worse than ever!") during Dent's false confession to the press sounds like it's coming from a white speech balloon.
The setting of Gotham City - not as a dystopia but as a real world city - is the foundation of something that pervasively, throughout the film, sets The Dark Knight apart from the other Superhero movies: the atmosphere. It's not a cheesy, superficial, paper thin world. It's straight out of a 70's crime drama, which works SO well for this movie.
Even the soundtrack is stirring and vivid throughout.
So behind a sensational, highly praised (deservedly) performance from the actors, amazing writing, and gripping screenplay lies a solid foundation which is seamless down to the smallest details. That's what makes The Dark Knight a classic.