The Ultimate Batman vs. Joker Story

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2010)

Nolan returns to the helm of what many consider the perfect Batman film. Bale, Caine, Oldman, Freeman, Murphy and McFarlane all reprise their roles spectacularly and flawlessly without upstaging one another nor their performances from "Begins". Holmes is replaced with Gyllenhaal, who look nothing alike, but the story itself is too strong to be setback by a recast. Heath Ledger portrays the most chaotic and theatrical -- yet most convincing, memorable and realistic -- Joker to date. The Joker is as amusing as he is intimidating, and will stop at nothing. Ledger's role isn't as pronounced as Nicholson's was in the 1989 film, which is actually a stronger move because it avoids any upstaging. Hans Zimmer's wonderful muddling score just adds to The Joker's prominence. Eckhart makes Harvey Dent his own. Nolan succeeds in continuing an absolutely plausible take on a renewed Batman series it's almost too real for some people. It's conservative undertones can be excused for its moral depth.
**** (out of four)