I cannot find words to describe the brilliance of this film

Rating: 10/10 (19 July 2008)

In short, The Dark Knight is everything any Batfan could have dreamed of. It is the best of 2008, the best comic book film of all time, and one of the greatest action films ever made. It is carried by the titanic performances of Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart, and stands for more than it seems on the surface, much like its hero.
To be honest, I really don't know where to begin. The film has NO flaw as far as I can see (although Bale's take on Batman's voice was noticeably more annoying here, maybe because he spent more time in the suit than he did last time). Christopher Nolan's craft and aptitude for understanding this story...the Batman archetype...is unparalleled. This is not just a comic book film. It's a story of what will happen when you leave the race of men no choice. It's a story of what will happen when desperation takes over the souls and minds of all. And lastly, it's a story of how a man's bond and love for his city affects him. This film is going to undoubtedly going to end up as my favorite film of 2008, and is the only film this year so far to receive a 10 out of 10 rating from me.
I know you're all itching to see what I think of the acting, so without further ado, let's go there. Though this is a Batman film, the film is not about Batman...it's about Harvey Dent. It's about his struggle, his pain, his life...and there is no greater actor to play the part than Mr. Aaron Eckhart. An admirable performance saves the film from being too lopsided in the favor of a certain clownish psychopath. Eckhart's show is deep, riveting, and when he inevitably becomes Two Face, emotionally disturbing and destructive. Definitely the most surprising show of the film. Christian Bale's take on Batman...well, I never thought I'd say this, but he didn't actually improve on anything here. It's not in Bale's top 5 as far as performances go, and I got a bit of a wooden vibe from him occasionally. Overall, however he is good enough to the point where he isn't completely overshadowed. The next best show would be from Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon. He really is the only truly good character in the movie, and Oldman's immediate warmth and likability make his show a great one. I enjoyed brief cameos from Cillian Murphy, Bill Fichtner, and Michael Jai White, as well as the performances of Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman (although, like Bale, it's more of the same).
I think I'm forgetting someone...
OH YEAH! Maggie Gyllenhaal totally erased the memory of Katie Holmes from my mind. Gyllenhaal was excellent as both the fierce and dedicated ADA Rachel Dawes, and the fragile love interest of Bruce and Harvey. Great all around.
I still can't help but feel as if I've forgotten something...
The action in this film...well, needless to say, it's jaw dropping. Though there was less emphasis on the hand to hand fighting and more on the big bang booms, it was more than understandable because the villains are not as skilled of fighters as our dear Batman is. The film refuses to relent, and borders on horror-like territory numerous times in the film. Despite the length, I never found myself bored or wanting it to end. On the contrary, I was sort of hoping that Heath Ledger would never leave the screen.
Oh...THAT'S what I forgot...
Ladies and gentlemen, here's the night's entertainment. Without the titanic, terrifying, riveting, and masterful performance of Heath Ledger as The Joker, this film sinks. The film rides on the shoulders of Batman's arch-nemesis, and Ledger takes it and runs away with it. I have trouble finding words to describe how Ledger's Joker made me feel both as I was watching and after. To put it simple, and I'm not lying, Ledger had me shaking for hours after the credits rolled. His voice, his posture, his delivery, his demeanor...all of it makes for the best villainous performance since Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, and arguably the best villainous performance of all time. Though the viewer hates The Joker with every fiber of themselves, you can't help but be in awe of the mesmerizing show put on by Mr. Ledger. You won't be able to take your eyes off of him.
A battle between good and evil doesn't describe the tension between Joker and Batman...it's more like a battle of completely opposite ideals. The Joker, who reigns and revels in anarchy, and Batman, who aims for order and planned course of action. I've never seen a better realization of the relationship between these two comic book titans. However, let us not forget that this movie is more about Harvey Dent than the others, and that most of Joker's actions revolve around Dent's actions, not Batman's. In fact, Joker reminds us that Batman is actually an obstacle to get to Dent.
Really, I don't know where to end this review, so I think this is a good place. The Dark Knight is everything any cinemagoer could hope for, and more than anything a Batfan could ever dream of. Though the ending will certainly be controversial amongst Batfans, I don't think it could have ended any other way. Packed with extreme action, a bajillion plot twists, and the most terrifying performance in years make for the best film of 2008, and possibly one of the best of all time. The Dark Knight is perfect film-making, and I plan on seeing it at least 3 more times before it leaves theaters.
Oh, and it goes without saying that Ledger deserves an Oscar win for this film.