A film where everything just works.

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2008)

So here it is. The most hyped-up, talked about and acclaimed superhero movie in... well, ever. Was it worth the wait? Yes Did it deserve the praise? Yes Did Heath Ledger surprise viewers who have had people nibbling in their ear about his portrayal for months now? Definitely yes. The film pretty much succeeds everything it sets out to do, and that's a lot. An epic crime film that has the similar layered and extravagant plots of something like Inside Man, The Dark Knight is far from a typical superhero film. There are psychological character studies of the Jokers anarchic destruction, Harvey Dent's shining savior and last but far from least Batman's role as the Dark Knight, the man who is above and below everyone else to do what they won't. The discussions in the film about who Batman is really defined what the character is all about and when the words The Dark Knight concluded the film I completely understood it's meaning. This incarnation of Batman is also the darkest. While Burton opted for Gothic quality, Schumacher for colorful campyness, Nolan has decided on a gritty and unsettling look at Batman. The story is unbelievably tragic and while I won't say much the film has far from a happy ending. It may not be the most entertaining superhero flick out there but it's certainly the best.