Like a bat outa luck

Rating: 9/10 (19 July 2008)

Amazing. The followup to 2005s Batman Begins satisfies in just about every way. If you liked the action of the first one, this one has action in spades. If you liked the mystery, this one is one puzzler after another. If you liked the gadgets, they're all back with a few new surprises.
The big draw here, however, is the dance between Batman, Harvey Dent and the Joker. Ledger is getting very deserved recognition for his work creating the character of the Joker in this movie. However it is just as interesting to watch the gradual descent that Harvey Dent takes as he eventually becomes the infamous Two-Face. (And that's to say nothing about the great work they did to create Two-Face's horrific face.) Several sections are a bit loud, though, which can become a bit of an assault on the senses at times. And there are those who will be put off by the replacement of Katie Holms for Maggie Gyllenhaal. However, these things are worth enduring if for no other reason than to see Batman in action against such an anarchical foe.
Even the 2 1/2 hour running time isn't terribly bad. I won't say it flies by. But you never feel like the movie is dragging. The pacing is kept up and there isn't really anything that could be cut from the show. It keeps you in the movie the whole time, and you just keep wanting to see more.
One thing to remember, though. is that this movie is also much darker than the first one. At the showing I attended, several parents took their children to see the show. This is definitely not a movie for young children.