Absolutely Astonishing

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2008)

A few days ago, I believed that WALL-E was the best film of 2008. Its position has just been taken with astounding force. Batman: The Dark Knight is not only the best comic book movie ever made, with thrilling action and seamless visual effects, but it also breaks through the limitations of its genre to become so much more. It is a thought-provoking piece of crime fiction, with superb moral complexity, crackerjack dialogue and flawless performances from every cast member.
Batman, the alter ego of billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), has successfully created fear amongst Gotham's criminals. With the aid of police lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and new District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), it looks like the future for Gotham City is going to be so much brighter. Bruce might even be able to hang up the Bat-suit and get back together with his love interest Rachel (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is currently involved with Harvey.
Enter the Joker (Heath Ledger). Malicious, mad and clever, the Joker isn't like any villain Batman has faced before. He's not after money or fame. He is, as he states in the film, "an agent of chaos". He is out to show that even the most civilised people will break their moral codes when they are threatened enough, even Batman. When the Joker declares that people will die every day until Batman reveals his true identity, Bruce must question his own morality and whether he will be able to fight a person who has nothing to lose...
The bulk of hype surrounding the movie concerns the late Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. Let me say that this isn't so much a performance as a full embodiment of sadistic, intelligent evil. Every sparkling word of praise that you have heard for Ledger's portrayal is true. Ledger delivers an unforgettable portrayal which is full of confidence and passion. He is darkly funny, captivating and downright terrifying. This Joker is right up there with Hannibal Lecter as one of the all-time great movie villains. When you hear critics saying that Ledger's portrayal is potentially iconic, they're being dead serious. It's just a shame that such a talent was taken before he could craft more amazing portraits for us to admire.
Though Ledger swipes the film without any doubt, the supporting cast are still given the opportunity to shine, which they all do. After Ledger, the best performance comes from Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, Gotham's White Knight. Eckhart's acting is emotionally riveting, peeling away the layers of his character to reveal a determined, yet flawed man who fights against injustice with the same good heart as Batman, but who is trapped within the confines of the law. It is Eckhart's brilliant turn which transforms a well-written character into a true flesh-and-blood hero, and which makes Dent's eventual downfall all the more tragic.
As Bruce Wayne/Batman, Christian Bale delivers another haunting portrait of the iconic hero, and makes sure that the audience knows who is under the mask. In Tim Burton's original Batman, Batman is overshadowed by the Joker. Here, Bale and Ledger play off each other wonderfully, creating a sense of tension and making us question who's going to come out on top. Gary Oldman is once again on top form as Jim Gordon, whilst Maggie Gyllenhaal is a much needed improvement over the comparatively bland Katie Holmes from Batman Begins in the role of Rachel Dawes. In returning roles, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine once again bring wit, grace and warmth to their performances, as well as some good laughs. Finally, look out for a solid supporting turn from Eric Roberts as crime boss Salvatore Maroni.
With Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan proved that he could direct a smart, brilliant and imaginative comic book movie. Here, he has not only repeated the task, but proved that he is one of the most visionary directors around. Nolan pushes the boundaries of the genre with this film, daring to take chances and add some ambition to the mix. He asks serious questions which involve the audience on a more thoughtful level than most comic book movies, whilst not skipping on the spectacle that many people expect from a Batman movie.
Concerning the action scenes, Nolan has improved immensely. The gripping bank heist which opens the film is a perfect start to a film which is jam-packed with intelligent thrills. A high-speed pursuit between Batman on his Batpod (an extremely cool bike) and the Joker in a semi-truck is simply explosive, and the climax of the film is spectacularly intense. Christopher Nolan also co-writes the faultless screenplay with his brother Jonathan, weaving the complex story with commendable grace and intelligence. All of the characters are written with care, and the dialogue (except when considering the Joker, as is expected) is realistic and full of humanity.
Technically, the film is top-notch. Whenever visual effects are used (such as the powerhouse job done on the film's second major villain, Two-Face, which is also accomplished with terrific make-up), they blend in so well with their environment that you won't even notice them. The locations, such as Chicago and Hong Kong, provide powerful essence and are also used as more than just backgrounds, as they all have their own distinct character. The stunts are exceptional, as is the musical score.
This is so much more that what I had expected. The Dark Knight is not only the jewel in the crown for the Batman series, but it is one of the best sequels ever made, ranking alongside The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the King. With The Dark Knight, the Nolan brothers, Ledger and co. have not only delivered based upon the mountain of hype surrounding the film. They have also made a boundary-pushing, exemplary and soaring movie which will hopefully be remembered both as a classic and a magnificent swansong for an incredibly talented actor.