Dark Indeed.

Rating: 8/10 (30 July 2015)

The Dark Knight (2008): Dir: Christopher Nolan / Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman: Tremendous follow-up to Batman Begins regarding the nature of Batman and his relationship to those whom he conflicts with. This time the Joker is threatening Gotham City. Director Christopher Nolan is back with an unsatisfactory double ending when dealing with two villains. He previously made the best of the franchise in Batman Begins as well as create other thrillers such as Memento. Nolan's films are often dark and that is precisely what renders his visions of Batman so effective and ominous. Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne and he opens the film by defeating a previous foe, then he wrestles with relationships and the evil around him. Heath Ledger gives a psychotic yet humorous delivery as the Joker but his last scene is disappointing leaving viewers hanging. Aaron Eckhart dominates as attorney Harvey Dent who would become Two-Face but rather than a double ending, perhaps feature him in another film. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the woman caught between Wayne and Dent but even the dealing with her is unsettling. Gary Oldman plays police Lieutenant Gordon who is the one link to the law for which Batman has access and can trust. Explosive visual elements with society's attitude towards individual rights. Score: 8 / 10