The Dark Knight (2008)

Rating: 8/10 (15 November 2008)

The film had a couple of well-choreographed sequences and utilized some interesting techniques. For example, the SWAT chase was a well-done action scene, and the scene in which two important players are killed off simultaneously and another is nearly killed off was also a highlight. And, of course, Heath Ledger's performance may be the best this year in any film.
However, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Christian Bale, and occasionally Aaron Eckhart's performances brought the film down a bit for me. Also, the film felt too crowded with villains, if you ask me. And one problem I had immediately with the film as I was watching it was that it was too obvious that Chicago was the backdrop. It truly did not feel like Gotham to me because the buildings and the lighting looked nothing like they did in Batman Begins. There was one line in particular that bugged me; after Dent is nearly shot in a courtroom, Rachel casually remarks that if the Gotham D.A.'s life isn't threatened, he isn't doing his job. That took away from the seriousness of the film, for me, especially when Begins portrayed Gotham as such a terrifying place where you can be shot or mugged just stepping outside your door.
Again, there were some very creative parts, and I enjoyed the final dilemma posed by Joker towards the two ferries. It made for one of the better comic book adaptations I've seen, but ultimately it doesn't even come close to living up to the ridiculous hype it garnered.
8/10