Well done movie, but Dark Knight is definitely dark and NOT for kids.

Rating: 9/10 (27 July 2008)

As far as action movies go, Dark Knight was as intense and good as action movies can get. The acting was superb- Ledger became the standard by which future movie villains will be judged. He was not the "cartoon" Joker, but a very creepy, almost Hannibal Lector-like character. My wife actually had a nightmare about him the night after we saw the movie. It was Ledger's performance that really cemented this as a great film, but also the reason for caution. Batman is based off a comic book and so Hollywood, though giving it a PG-13 rating should expect that kids will go because it is based on a comic book/cartoon character. I cannot emphasize strongly enough- DO NOT TAKE A CHILD TO THIS MOVIE!!! Ledger's brilliant intensity and profound evil made for a good villain...a very ADULT villain wholly unsuitable for kids. That coupled with the amount and intensity of brutal violence in this film...it shocks me that it only earned a PG-13. I cannot comprehend how it did not get an R rating. I do not say that as an insult to the film, just stating a fact. Truth is, it was a brilliantly done action film....FOR ADULTS. Batman was high octane and fast paced....quickest 2.5 hours I ever spent. Thoroughly enjoyed it, just keep the kiddies away from this one.