Most Incredible Film I've Ever Seen

Rating: 10/10 (24 October 2010)

This movie surpasses the hype. It is incredible. Phenomenal. Breathtaking. Near-perfect. OK, I'm done.
Christopher Nolan has given us the Batman film we've been waiting for (though "Batman Begins" was pretty darn good too). From the acting, to the story, the action, the sets, the score (love it) to the sheer quotability of The Joker, this film blows your socks off. It grabs you and never lets go. I could watch this movie a thousand times and never tire of it.
The opening scene, the bank robbery, was a fantastic scene, and one of the best openings to a film EVER. The score is chilling and the fact that the robbers are taking each out really adds to it. Plus, when the bank manager, played by William Fitchner (my favorite cameo in a film) comes out with his shotgun, shooting at the remaining robbers, you really see the chaos involved with the whole robbery. Then you finally see....The Joker. Though brief, it sends chills down your spine.
The interrogation scene, the chase scene through the streets of Gotham, and the final confrontation between Batman and Joker all really stand out.
Christian Bale, though criticized by some, gives what I believe is the best portrayal of Bruce Wayne. He's not supposed to be the happy, billionaire playboy like his character from the 1940s. He's a dark, unhappy man who is the only one capable of doing what he does. Bale is great in this film. And if you still doubt Bale as an actor, go watch "Equilibrium" and "3:10 to Yuma".
Gary Oldman, my gosh, how many roles can this man play? He's been Commissioner Gordon, a Russian terrorist, Dracula, Sirius Black, whoever the heck he was supposed to be in "The Fifth Element". This man is versatile! He brings a lot of heart to an otherwise one-dimensional character. I might even say Oldman does the best job in the film, even better than Ledger, Eckhart, Caine, and Freeman.
Michail Caine and Morgan Freeman are both great, as usual, and provide good father-like figures for Bruce Wayne.
Aaron Eckhart does a fantastic job as Harvey Dent. I love how Nolan makes you care for the character, then tries to turn you against him. Eckhart gives a stellar performance.
Maggie Gyllenhaal should be banned from making movies. She can't act AT ALL. She was horrible. She was laughing during a dramatic scene! This isn't "Die Hard" or "Face/Off". This is "The Dark Knight"! Get with the program.
And finally, Heath Ledger. Ledger had already done some impressive work with "The Patriot" and "A Knight's Tale". This role has immortalized him in the film industry. He owned every single scene he was in. I've never seen a character like him. The voice alone was enough to frighten you, but add his ghoulish appearance and trigger-happy, knife-wielding, cackling attitude, and you got one scary dude. Love it.
This film scared the crap out of me when I saw it, and I still get chills watching it. This is what movies should aspire to be.