Anyone want to see a pencil disappear?

Rating: 10/10 (18 July 2008)

IMO, this movie didn't meet my expectations at all. In fact.... It surpassed and exceeded them. As I walked into the theater, I found myself mentally cursing myself for watching all the previews and movie updates fearing that I had spoiled myself. Simply put, I was wrong.
The major players here are Batman (Bruce Wayne), Harvey Dent, The Joker (duh!), Rachel, and Lt Gordon. Those are the characters (with the exception of Joker) are the only ones really worth mentioning because of the growth they go through in the movie. You see Bruce suffer through things that would make anyone else either kill themselves or go insane. His darkness isn't portrayed as clichéd brooding or angst, but a certain level of darkness which I can not even find the words for. Whatever it is, Christian Bale pulls it off beautifully.
Then we have Harvey Dent(Aaron Eckhart); pretty much the same as Batman, but in a different sort of light. He wants to tackle crime and make the city a better place. His crusade eventually leads him down the road of hell as the Joker takes a personal interest in destroying him. I cant give away too much, but Eckhart really shows his versatility as he plunges into an even darker hell of what Bruce goes through.
And then we have the Joker (Ledger). Without a doubt, the best performance I've seen in a long time. He really steals the show. I will be quoting his lines for the next two weeks and mimicking him around my friends for the next few weeks. His performance made me laugh at things that would normally be sick and demented, but strangely I felt OK to laugh at a hospital being blown up. The Joker has a sick sense of humor that would (and should) make Jack Nickolson and every other Joker player be proud.
Then there's Rachel (Maggie Gyllenhal). If you walk into the theater and expect an Mary Jane, damsel in distress stereotype think again. She has those moments yes, but she makes it work for her. Her love triangle between Bruce and Harvey adds a welcome relief from the chaos that surrounds them.
Lt. Gordon (Gary Oldman) delivers some of the most surprising performances, and I think one of the better ones of his career. He plays the down to earth, sensible guy who desperately tries to keep his sanity for the sake of the city. Keep a close eye on him for he (and Harvey) will throw you some curve balls.
And those are just the major players. Caine, Freeman, Roberts, and a host of other talented actors and actresses only add to the epicness. That plus the plot which will give you glimpses into this world and almost makes you believe that they're real. And if you're expecting a happy ending, think again. This is one of the most depressing endings I've seen in a long time. The drama, the action (ever see a diesel rig flip over nose first?), the dark humor, and much more easily makes this one of the best films of the decade and really raises the bar for not just comic book adaptations, but movies in general. 9.5/10.