Not the Film we deserved, but the one we Needed.

Rating: 9/10 (10 April 2019)

A sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight blew fan and critic expectations out of the water when if first hit theaters in 2008. It's been a cultural phenomenon and a fan favorite ever since. Not to mention it's regarded as one of the greatest movies OF ALL TIME.
Personally, I find this movie to be a teensy bit overrated. Don't get me wrong this movie is still excellent, but there are some problems with it. I like to usually start with the bad in my reviews, to get it over with.
The first thing is that I don't think Christian Bale's version of Batman fits the character very well (not his fault, it's the writing). I just don't see this guy as Bruce Wayne, or the Caped Crusader. He doesn't seem cold, distant or strict enough. It might also be the terrible voice that takes away from it a bit. Though that in and of itself can be a criticism of the trilogy as a whole.
The next sin the film commits is what a lot of Christopher Nolan films seem to do. The film is drastically over-complicated with at least four other sub-plots, that are very hard to follow, mostly because the dialogue is so quiet yet the music is so LOUD.
My last flaw of the film worth mentioning is some pacing problems. After the very start of the film, it drags on for a bit, then picks up, then drags on for a bit. Then the last act goes for a way too long, creating the notorious 4th act of the Dark Knight.
This movie is not nearly as pretentious as Batman Begins. One thing I really don't like about some movies is that they can really be pretentious, pretending to be bigger than they really are. The Dark Knight has little to no sanctimoniousness, and handle's it's dialogue and themes very well.
Speaking of very well let's move on with the good.
Heath Ledger's Joker is the highlight of this film. This is one of if not the greatest performance I've ever seen. He portrays a charismatic, yet extra unsettling version of the Joker who actually has a point half the time. That's one of the things that makes him interesting. Also his ambiguous past makes him mysterious and mythical. I could honestly go on for hours on how great of a villain the Joker is. Top 3 of all time for me.
The opening of the film is one of the best parts of the movie for me as well. It sets the tone for the rest of the movie, is filled with tension, fast paced, and introduces our beloved villain.
The acting all around in this movie is top notch, particularly Christian Bale (as Bruce Wayne), Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, and Heath Ledger, just to name a few.
Rachel is written and handled a lot better than she was in the first movie. She actually seems to affect the plot and isn't as pretentious as she was in Batman Begins.
Aaron Eckhart as Two Face was one of the best casting choices. His performance believably shifted from a man trying to do the right thing, to a broken man who has lost is love and his dignity.
The best scene in the movie is the Interrogation scene. There is so much tension, we learn more about the Joker, and Batman doing what he does best, beating someone senseless, doesn't work on the Clown Prince of Crime.
Overall this movie is fantastic and worthy of most of the praise it receives. I give it a 9/10 with the title of "Excellent."