As close to perfect as you can get

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 2008)

Make no mistake about it. The Dark Knight is not a great comic to film movie. The Dark Knight is a great film period. The only time you are reminded this is a comic based movie is when Bale enters frame in the Batsuit. From start to finish this is an emotionally packed roller-coaster ride that takes so many dips and turns you are exhausted at the end but ready to get back in line for another run through.
The film is anchored by terrific performances across the board. There is not one single actor or actress that didn't bring their A-game. From the bit part players to the leads, the acting is top notch. Ledger has long been lauded for his performance and earns that. When he is on screen, there is no denying the power of his performance. But everyone, Bale, Oldman, Eckhart, Freeman and Caine all cement their performances as THE standard barrier for the characters they play. Gyllenhaal, though playing a thankless role as did Holmes, brings a more mature strength that was missing with Holmes. Persons like Eric Roberts and Anthony Michael Hall make fantastic returns to the big screen in small, but excellently played supporting roles.
The story starts out with a robbery that is one of the most tightly and fantastically shot sequences in the last 10 years. Everything goes off like clock work. We see early on the absolute lunacy and genius in Joker's way of doing business. There is not one of the gang that survives the heist but him; orchestrating internal backstabbing to met the end he has conceived. You see, Joker has no plan per say, just the need to set everything in site on fire and revel in the chaos that follows. The story then twists and turns with our heroes having the upper hand one minute, only to realize they never had it and the ring master of chaos, Joker, has brought them all right where he wants them. It is the story that really sets this film apart from all other comic to films and even from its predecessor. Free of the origin trappings, the Nolan's and Goyer (story credit) expand this film to be a genre breaking affair. The comparisons to other films such as Heat and Godfather 2 are not hype or hyperbole fan-boys spewing unearned praise. These are warranted comparisons. As mentioned before, this is a great FILM and it should be compared directly with other films, not just comic to film projects.
The score is absolutely fantastic. It is very aggressive. The Joker music is more of a sound, an eerie one that makes you uncomfortable, as it should. The heroes theme is expanded on, brought to full life that reminds us we are watching a story about someone doing extraordinary things. The action is top notch, with some fantastic chase sequences. The FX for Two Face are great, keeping with the realistic standard set throughout the film, his face is gruesome yet hard to look away from as you marvel at how well it is done.
My only complaints about the film are the disposable way Scarecrow is used (not even sure why he was included) and the sound mix. I have seen the film twice, in different theaters, and the score and sound effects in many instances drown out the dialog, to include a very import prologue that Gordon delivers which summarizes the film and sets up the relationship between Batman and the city for the next film.
I can only hope that the third film will not fall into the bloat that Spiderman 3 did. I hope that what Nolan and Co. have shown us here is but only a great 2nd act in what will be one of the, if not THE best 3 act trilogies of all time.