The Batman we deserve? Maybe. But not the one that completely satisfies.

Rating: 9/10 (18 July 2008)

The Dark Knight - The mob responds to the Batman (Christian Bale)'s actions by bringing in a psychopath named The Joker (Heath Ledger) to wreak havoc and corruption. Both sides look to newly appointed District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) as a focal point. To Batman, Dent is a White Knight whose reign allows Bats the chance to give up the cape and cowl. To the Joker, Dent is a target.
I won't lie. I'm a huge Batman fan. And I wholeheartedly enjoyed this movie. But I think that this may be a dangerous case of the hype engine in overdrive. I think I may have liked Batman Begins more. I can't tell yet. It's neck and neck. One visible problem is Batman's reduced role in the movie. Yes he's doing stuff, most of it is very cool (Where's the Batarang action though?). And I like how they delved more into the detective side of his character. But there are fewer moments of introspect than in Begins. The first third or so of the movie is Batman's movie, but the rest belongs to the "freaks" as it goes on. It's more about the villain's response to Batman's actions, making a third film so richly deserved. Whether Nolan is willing to crank another one out (and It's getting really tiresome how he keeps hanging the prospect over our heads) remains to be seen. But man I hope so.
There's no slight in the performances. Bale is in top form, though the material focuses less on him. Michael Caine is similarly great and side-lined. Heath Ledger is spectacular; the hype engine surrounding him is well justified. The little touches he adds. The twitches, the lip-smacks, the cruel sense of humor. It's perfection. He's ten times the Joker Jack Nicholson was. I wish there was more of him in the film, and I think they might have reduced his part. You just even forget he's under the make-up. It's a snowflake of a performance that will never be repeated.
Aaron Eckhart plays Harvey Dent very well. He's very likable and tragic, and Nolan got his origin bang on. I almost wish he had saved it for another film. Maggie Gyllenhall is a far better actress than Katie Holmes. Not just as Rachel Dawes, but in general. And Gary Oldman kicks ass as Commissioner Gordon. Cillian Murphy has a welcome cameo. The action sequences kick ass. I'd be hard pressed to say my favorite scene, and since no one wants spoilers I really shouldn't say.
The ending is dark and interesting and dissatisfying all in one. The reboot can't end with this film. There's more to be had. And it would be so easy to transpose Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns (mostly) into the conclusion for this film. One can only hope. Don't leave us hanging Chris! A-