Largely well done

Rating: 7/10 (30 July 2008)

On the plus side the acting is very fine throughout. Scenes are nicely set up and the cinematography is generally excellent. The plot is interesting, characters well drawn, and the script reasonably intelligent. Ledger is as advertised, consistently in charge of his role and the film when on screen. He is a very fine physical actor as well as convincing in closeups. He didn't have a false note throughout, a tough achievement when playing essentially a one note character who is off the wall. Negatives: the film could be improved with 1/2 hour of excess trimmed. Some plot contrivances didn't work to forward the action, especially in the second half where plot and action dragged because scenes just wouldn't end. There is too much of stylized crashes and explosions, to the point where they lose any effect. And the plot twist is so far outside reason it just doesn't work, especially with the ridiculous CGI display. However with all that the movie is probably worth seeing, if you like blockbusters and their attendant frailties.