Not just the best comic book based movie, but best movie of the year

Rating: 9/10 (21 July 2008)

I saw the movie a couple of hours ago and I am blown away. It was spectacular, I'm seeing it again in a couple of days.
This movie surpassed every other comic book based film-including the first Batman-in overall depth, character development, plot complexity, and yes, acting. Nolan did the near impossible, he took a man running around fighting bad guys in a bat suit-one who's face looks like a clown-and created a modern crime drama-a realistic interpretation of an unrealistic concept. It was gritty and simply delicious.
This movie surpasses the original batman not because of it's modern day action, or special effects, but because of it's sound story and-of course-of ledger's brilliant acting. There are several plot developments and twists that had me bouncing out of my seat. Burton's Batman was very good, it set the bar, and that bar has remained unsurpassed until TDK. Burton's Batman was set in a comic like world, it felt detached from Our concept of reality-but of course, this is what Burton intends to do. It's his mind literally bleeding on film. This is what makes his movies so entertaining, his ability to bring his own private images to on screen in stunning clarity; his originality is stupendous. I say all this because I want ya'll to know How much I love Burton, but that doesn't change the fact that this movie is much better than it. This movie felt like it could actually happen today. The terroristic theme of the film was great.
Now, on to Ledger. His performance was better than Jacks in every way possible. The little facial reactions; the smacking of lips; the hand movements; the walk; acting at it's best. Jack's Joker was funny, Heath's was terrifying, he never gave an inch. At all times he was completely insane. It's a shame he passed, what a great performance his was. Maggie was excellent as Racheal, the depth of her character was bright at all times. Bale was superb, he is truly Batman. Morgan's performance was also fantastic, as well was Cain's.
I gave this movie a 9/10 only because it had minor flaws; these flaws may even be nick picking, but in my head they exist. I didn't care that much for Two Face's distorted area of his face. I don't really know why, but It didn't have that stamp of authenticity to it, but this didn't detract from the greatness of the movie. Also, Bale's voice as batman sounded a bit overdone-almost like a grunt. I didn't care for this either. Other than that this movie lived up to the hype and in ways surpassed it.
Enjoy the film!!