As a long time fan of Batman, I must say that this film was outstanding. I saw a very, very late showing but stayed wide awake due to this complex and dark adventure.

Batman has always been my favorite super hero for a long time because of the fact that he does not rely on super powers. He uses his passion and desire to make a difference in a dying city. Dark Knight is a display of that.

I can’t ruin much but I want to talk about the story a little first. The plot was similar to what I expected and then so much different. In the end the story wrapped up in a way that I wasn’t expecting but yet I liked it. All in all I think it will set up for a very fun and very different third installment of the series.

Batman was displayed as the avenger of Gotham who constantly has to deal with himself and where he stands and how far he will go to keep the city safe. Compared to Batman Begins, the Dark Knight is a much longer and more intense ride. The acting was top notch as a film can get and the writing matched it.

First I must thank Christopher Nolan for making the decisions to retell Batman’s stories on the big screen the way they are depicted in the comic books, dark and realistic.

Heath Ledger as The Joker steals the show. In a way it’s a shame because all the other actors do such a great job that it seems almost a waste next to his portrayal of Batman’s most twisted and psychotic villain. Regardless, the Joker draws all attention to himself during any scene that he’s in. Ledger did such a great job making this feel like a real character that you forget it’s him playing a role. You get sucked into this crazy guy who has mutilated his face and taken on the persona of a Joker. Joker is played like he is in the comic books and I loved it. He’s dark, he’s psychotic, he’s very creepy and yet at times he’s really funny.

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne / Batman is still my favorite of all the Batmans. He continues down the path that he did before where Batman is searching for his identity. He doesn’t want Batman to become something that he isn’t but yet he may have to. Bale produces yet again.

Aaron Eckhart is Harvey Dent / Two-Face. The coin, the attitude, the look, its all played out more realistically than I thought possible. Two-Face could have possibly stood as his the single villain for the film but the adaptation was much more realistic and fit better in my view. I believe in Harvey Dent or do I believe in Two-Face?

Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes gets a nod from me as well. She took a very basic character and made her a little more complex. Katie Holmes is a terrible actress and the sore point of Batman Begins but Gyllenhaal revitalizes the character for me.

Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon stepped up his role a bunch too. He’s in the movie a lot more than last time and his character goes through a lot. Oldman is one of my favorite actors and he’s been dealt a much more simple character compared to the Joker and Batman. However, he still pulls Gordon off really well.

All these people are great actors and they do such a good job in this film that you forget about the actor and get engrossed in the character. That is when an actor has earned their money in my view and Dark Knight delivers.

Dark Knight is the movie of the year. I called it late last year but I’m sure my bias of being a Batman fan has nothing to do with it. Everything about the film is executed so perfectly that I can’t recall the last film to do it. The directing, the action, the brief humor, the directing, the look and feel of the film and the music are all outstanding. James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer get a special nod from me for their work on the musical score. Their efforts for the first film were so good that I didn’t think it possible to make a better soundtrack this time around but they did. I will admit that the Dark Knight score may not be better to listen to away from the movie than Begins but it fit the movie even better. The theme of the Joker is so creepy and Batman’s theme is so powerful. They both add so much to this film.

It’s a GO from me. I’ll probably see it again it was so good. It may be a tad disturbing at times for kids but adults won’t blink the entire time and trust me, it’s a long movie.

Until next time, watch out for those Critical Hits!

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