Not only the best comic book movie ever, but also one of THE best movies ever.

Rating: 10/10 (29 July 2008)

It's not too often that a movie surpasses the hype that it has brought before its screening. Just look at Spider-man 3... Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT goes over and beyond what I expected.
Nearly every aspect of the movie is perfect. The casting, the acting, the cinematography, the CGI (the little that there is)...ALL PERFECTION. This is definitely that jewel of Nolan's career, and may always be (until the next one comes and could possibly be on par with it).
Christian Bale has definitely secured his place as the best Batman and Bruce Wayne ever on film. He plays the separation of the personas so well, and also plays their similarities flawlessly. Gyllenhaal does the worst acting job in the movie, and she is still pretty good...just shows how amazing everyone else did. Eckhart does a phenomenal job as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, making Tommy Lee Jones' portrayal seem like the lamest piece of acting ever.
Now to the man that hyped the film more than anything...Mr. Ledger. His portrayal as the Clown Prince of Crime is truly something special, and hands-down one of the greatest pieces of acting in film history. Heath Ledger was not in this movie...the Joker was. Every time he got on screen he stole the scene, and a chill would run up my spine. It's too sad that we can't have an encore performance.
Overall, the movie is so much more than the classic Batman vs. Villain. It shows how the Joker gets deep into the mind of the Caped Crusader, making him question his own existence, and stumble on the line of what his perception of justice is. Everything that Batman stands for, the Joker is out to prove wrong. That's what makes him the arch-nemesis. And Ledger portrays this persona so flawlessly it's almost inhuman.
This is probably my favorite movie of all-time now, with the Godfather in a close second. Can't wait for the next installment...heard it's the Riddler :)