Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (14 July 2010)

Not only is this the best Batman film, or the best comic book film, but it's one of the best films ever made period. Its performances skyrocket, along with its incredibly dark tone, it's beautiful settings and lighting, and of course...BATMAN.
I don't care what anybody says. Christian Bale is a good Batman. Yeah, he's not as good as Michael Keaton, and yeah his voice can get a little annoying. But he is such a badass in these movies. Nothing scares him, he's tough and aggressive as crap, and you just want to stay out of his way. Michael Keaton is very badass, don't get me wrong, but Christian Bale is just somebody you simply don't want to mess with.
And Heath Ledger as the Joker...Where do I begin. Jack Nicholson was an amazing Joker. Seriously, his joker was so convincing. I thought nothing could top it. And when I heard the gay cowboy who made out with Jake Gyllenhal was going to be the Joker, I was so disturbed. I prepared for the worst when I saw it. But I was 100% incorrect on my analysis. Heath Ledger nailed the performance harder than he nailed Jake Gyllenhal. He's unbelievably convincing. He's funny, he's crazy, but most of all, he's scary as s***. I crapped my pants in the theatres. It was no question he topped Nicholson. I love Nicholson's joker, but Heath Ledger just took the cake.
The setting of the film is so dark, which was what Christopher Nolan was going for apparently. I know Batman Begins was dark too, but this one is a lot more intense. I mean, it's called the "Dark" Knight. The setting is dark, the plot is dark, the characters are dark. Darkness everywhere! Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucias Fox support Christian Bale Batman so brilliantly, and all the way through. Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes is replaced with Maggie Gyllenhal, who I kind of like better in the role. Aaron Eckhart plays a very decent Harvey Dent as well.
So excited to see the Dark Knight Rises. Midnight showing is tonight and i'm stoked to go see it with everybody else who's been waiting for the ending. I can't imagine anybody who hasn't seen this. The biggest blockbuster of the decade in my opinion. But hey, if you haven't, go see it now. I'd see Batman Begins first to stay focused. But this is where it's at.