The Dark Knight Brings a New Dawn

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2010)

Let me start off by saying that I approach this film with the utmost respect and honor. Before I go into detail, I have to first address just what this film means for me. Before I saw this film, I was just a regular, teen-aged movie-goer who just enjoyed watching some good action. Watching this movie is what turned me into the cinema fanatic and amateur film critic I am today. It doesn't sound like much, but this movie has rocked me to my core. It is, quite simply, the best movie in the world. This is, of course, due to its incredible cast and crew.
I have a special shout-out to three particular people. The first is Christopher Nolan, my all-time favorite director. This man may be the embodiment of good directing. Admittedly, his earlier films, like The Following, were a little harder to follow, but ever since, his movies have gotten better and better, and The Dark Knight is definitely his Ninth Symphony.
The second shout out goes to John Nolan. You guessed it: he's Christopher Nolan's brother and writer for The Dark Knight's script. Embarrassingly, I don't know a lot about him, but I know he also collaborated with Chris for Batman Begins and I believe Inception. I swear, I think the Nolan brothers may have the hand of Midas in the film industry. Props to them.
And the final shout out goes to Heath Ledger, may he rest in peace. His performance as The Joker was perhaps the greatest performance this world has ever known and he was one of the main parts of what turned me into an aspiring actor...again, it doesn't seem like much, but it's the principal of the thing.
Now, getting to the movie, I honestly don't know where to start. My only complaint, and I have long since let this go, is that they replaced the actress for Rachel Dawes. While this is one of my biggest pet-peeves in film series, I understand that sometimes it's unavoidable and even necessary at points. And honestly, neither actress really catches my attention because Batman Begins had Liam Neeson and The Dark Knight had Heath Ledger, two of the greatest actors ever, in whose shadows love interests become irrelevant. This is one of my favorite things about Nolan's Batman series in general: there's a love interest, but it's only a subplot! Hardly even that! I can't tell you how refreshing that is to find in a hero movie.
Other than that, I don't think I can even specifically describe what makes The Dark Knight amazing. Great cinema photography, great special effects, great story, great fights, great acting...this movie has EVERYTHING I could ever want in a movie...but, being a Christian, I don't need a sex scene, which this movie lacks, happily...so if that's what you're looking for, you're wasting your time with movies...go throw your life away on the internet.
For those of you who actually respect movies, just go watch The Dark Knight. None of my words can add or subtract from it. Just watch it and experience it for yourself.