The Dark Knight Did Return

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2009)

Picking up where Begins left off we find Batman (Bale) still learning from his mistakes but still wiser still as he continues his personal vendetta against the organized crime within the city's structure. Enter into the fold Harvey Dent (Eckhart) as the new District Attorney of Gotham who wants to help clean up the streets as well and together they, along with Gordon (Oldman) face off against the mob.
Meanwhile, due to their efforts, a criminal mastermind known only as The Joker (Ledger) comes onto the stage and pushes the trio to their limits as he seemingly causes rampant mayhem all across town, all the while spouting about his "no-rules" mindset. Recruited by the mob to "Kill the Batman" the viewer is left to see there's more to him than originally thought.
In talking about Ledger's version of the Joker I have to say he's no better and certainly not worse than Nicholson's version in 1989. More so his version is in line with what we see the character as today, and his evolution in the comics has played nicely into the evolution within the films. Ledger's version is eerily similar to how the Joker was portrayed in the series "No Man's Land," as well as "The Long Halloween." Truly we have a Joker on screen who's more sadistic and crazy than ever before and one the world is finally ready to see.
Add to the mix Michael Caine who is incredible as the conscience of Batman/Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, and to great avail Maggie Gyllenhaal taking the place of Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes, and you have a great cast with an incredible movie. All I can say is that Chris Nolan leaves you wanting more and more each time he makes a movie, and this one is no exception. Trust me, if you're one of the few who've not yet seen this, get ready for it. It'll blow you away!