A Heroic Work of Art!

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2008)

I was so excited and waited so impatiently for this movie to come out, ever since the first trailer came out in December 2007, I was in a big hurry to see it. This is truly one of the greatest sequels that have ever been made, and one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.
I couldn't believe the quality of the story, the cinematography, make-up, wardrobe, and art direction, all works of art. But the tone that Christopher Nolan gave to this piece is outstandingly dark, sinister and even more reality based than the first one. (if that could actually be said about a super hero movie)
The actors' performances were wonderful: - Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman once again shine (as both actors always do) while reprising their roles as Alfred and Lucius Fox. - Maggie Gyllenhaal was a better choice for Rachel Dawes (you can actually believe she's a tough woman). - Aaron Eckhart truly takes over the role of Harvey Dent/Two Face and makes it real (he makes the coin bid not seem forced or campy). - Christian Bale takes the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman to a whole new level, you can feel the character's pain and struggle to do what is right, his inner struggle to remain incorrupltible. - But Heath Ledger's performance can only be described in one word, INCREDIBLE! He truly brings to life what the Joker is all about and makes him even more twisted and evil. It is a pity that he has passed on, but he left a final mark that no one will forget.
Thank you Christopher Nolan for this film, I can't wait to see what comes next...