Don't get me wrong, I LOVED this movie...but some of the fanboys have GOT to gain some perspective...

Rating: 8/10 (4 August 2008)

I won't go on and on about how good this movie is, nor will I detail each and every nuance of the film as others have. What I'm here to say is, "Yes...this is a great film. Heath Ledger is the quintessential Joker. This is, quite possibly, the best performance of Ledger's illustrious (if shortened) career." This film is beautiful, dark, wonderful, tragic...electric. It features breathtaking city elements (skyscrapers to beat all city monoliths), stellar performances, and beautiful darkling nemeses.
Bale delivers as both Batman and Wayne, but no one expected him to fail in this role. Morgan Freeman's character {Fox) asserts himself this go around, and pulls it off beautifully. And I couldn't be happier about Sir Michael Caine's reprisal of his role as Alfred, and I hope he continues throughout the franchise. It's always nice to see Gary Oldman, regardless of the work, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was totally strong as Rachel Dawes. I was more than satisfied to see her assume that role, and she does not disappoint. The chemistry was far superior to that of the original...both between the characters and within the story itself.
Honestly, I had not previously believed it would be possible to top the first of this run, "Batman Begins," but, "The Dark Knight," does so with little difficulty I must say, for posterity's sake, however, that the CGI job on Eckhart's Dent (post explosion) was ambitious, but the finished product was just nasty. Makeup effects along with a LITTLE CGI would have been beautiful, but what we got was more reminiscent of Imhotep's early incarnation in the first, "The Mummy." Well, half of it, anyway. (I won't explain that, you'll have to see the movie for yourself.) It messes with the suspension of belief, for me. It is like a book that keeps reminding you that it's a book. The CGI...was so impossible that it kept snapping me back out of the movie, and had me looking at the rest of the effects for the remainder of the film. It WAS effective, however, in shocking the audience, but once achieved, it was difficult to get back into the story flow.
Otherwise, this is a most excellent piece of work, and I cannot wait for the next one. At least...I'm hoping above hope that there will BE a "next one." Considering that this movie has been billed as the most mistake-ridden film of the year so far, who knows. Personally, I don't care about the 16 "major mistakes" found in continuity. I love the story and would pay to see another one.
But above a 9/10 here at IMDb? I think not. This film is not better than Schindler's List, Star Wars IV, Casablanca, or ANY installment of The Lord of the Rings. You fanboys have GOT to be kidding me. It's great, yes, but not THAT great.
It rates an 8.5/10 from...
the Fiend :.