What you need to know

Rating: Null/10 (23 July 2008)

I have been a long time reader of IMDb, and this is my first review. In fact, I just I just watched the movie on IMAX, and I feel compelled to share my experience. First off, watch the movie on IMAX. There are certain scenes that were filmed with the IMAX camera, and the movie shines in these moments. And the transition from IMAX to widescreen is seamless. There are moments during the film when I asked myself why does this scene feel so amazing, and it was because it ate up the entire IMAX screen. That being said, if IMAX isn't an option, see it anyways.
I've seen every superhero movie out there. And unequivocally, this is the best of the lot. In fact, this is the best movie I've seen, PERIOD.
Is it filled with action? Yes, there are more than a couple of times I was rocked out of my mind. What I saw wasn't digitally done, and that made it all the more awe-inspiring. Chris Nolan rightfully wanted to do the action sequences in live-action, and you the audience benefits from this.
Is it filled with emotion? OMG yes. Since Silence of the Lambs have I not felt such chills. There were more than one time during the film when I wanted to look away in fear, but only my desire to see what happened next kept my eyes glued. It is this Two-Faced (sorry, couldn't resist) emotion the movie invokes that differentiates this movie from any prior comic book-inspired movie. The chills are real, the emotions can be tasted, and the scare is to the core. Thank you Heath Ledger. Thank you Christian Bale. Thank You Aaron Eckhart. Thank You Frank Miller (for your original take on Batman, the Dark Knight. And ESPECIALLY, Thank You Chris Nolan. There isn't a performance I would want to change. The movie isn't so dark that it doesn't have its light moments. On more than one occasion, I laughed out loud. Sometimes to exhale all the pent of tension, and other times because the cleverly placed humor surprised me.
Is it political? Yes. Is it so pessimistic that it turns off the audience? no. Is it so optimistic that you can't suspend your disbelief? no. Chris Nolan beautifully paints a caricature of society. Like looking at our society in a fun-house mirror. This society is violent and scary, but like that which you see in a fun-house mirror, the image is oddly recognizable...familiar even.
I came out of the theater knowing I just watched a masterpiece. A movie that transcends genre. Yes, it's a summer blockbuster. Yes, it's a comic book movie. Yes, it is all those things. But it is so much more than that. It is above all else, a transcendent experience. This movie inspires me to look at society and all that is going on this world.
Do yourself a favor, Watch this Movie. Watch it Twice. Watch it Thrice. You won't be disappointed until it end...because all great things do come to an end.