This is why we go to the movies

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2008)

I just saw this movie a few days ago. From the first scene I was unable to turn away. This is a magnificent adaptation of a beloved comic book/cartoon series.
In the new Batman series, everything is more or less believable (compared to the old series, with over-the-top villains like Mr. Freeze and The Penguin). The villains and the heroes themselves have no super powers; they make their own, which is something that I've always loved Batman for. This movie's take on the Joker is exquisite. Instead of making him somewhat ridiculous like the classic Joker portrayed by Jack Nicholson, Ledger portrays a twisted, vicious, maniacal, sociopathic criminal who is always one step ahead of his opposition, reminiscent of Alexander DeLarge of A Clockwork Orange. He comes off as witty, seemingly careless, but always in control of the situation, and delightfully mad. While being so dark, brooding, violent and crazy, the character still manages to deliver comic relief through a few gallows humor-style laugh lines interspersed into the madness. Bale still delivers a powerful, convincing performance of the Dark Knight.
Without giving out spoilers, I can only say of the rest of the movie that the makeup and costuming were also done to perfection. The only problem with the movie is that, with his death, Ledger will be unable to ever reprise the role. Even more tragic than acknowledging this fact is that he may never get the recognition he deserves for his performance due to the hipster backlash effect; people saying that he is only receiving praise for the role because it was one of the last before his untimely death. All I can do is assure you that this is not the case. He was phenomenal in the film, he stole every scene he was in, and for me, he made the movie what it was. Exquisite.
To wrap things up, this was a long movie, but I'm not complaining. Usually in long movies, I get bored (I did have to leave to use the restroom briefly but I'm pretty sure I set a land speed record getting there and back again, and I couldn't have missed more than a minute or two of the movie), but with this movie I was engaged for the entire ride. It was well worth the price of the ticket, which is something we are finding harder to say nowadays. It reminds us why we go to movies: to be entertained by a great story with great actors.