Batman: The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight was released today. In a word it was amazing. In a second word, it was dark. We all had an idea of what to expect after seeing Batman Begins but nothing could have quite prepared us for just how devious this movie was going to be. The Joker was simply stunning. For many this movie will be bittersweet. Heath Ledger died tragically in January and for many fans this movie will be his legacy. We think so too.

The movie doesn’t wait long before showing the Joker to the audience, but we learn more and more about him as the movie plays out. He’s dark, mysterious, creepy as all get-out and of course funny. He’s so creepy though that you’ll almost feel bad laughing when he’s “funny”. Sometimes you’ll catch yourself and wonder if his mind games are turning you into a sinister clown too.

The action scenes were spot on. Nolan saved several surprises for this movie. Without going into details, the tumbler scenes are especially cool this time around. The Joker is a part of most action scenes in this movie, so once again this review will shift focus again on the Joker. The Joker really helps bring out the other characters. His in-your-face approach to being a bad guy really gives the other characters a chance to grow and develop. Bruce Wayne/Batman goes through a lot of emotional growth when pitted against the Joker in his mind games. The diologue between characters is what really helps move this movie along. The action scenes are there but for the most part this movie is about character development. By the end of the movie you’ll actually feel like you know them.

All in all, it’s simply a must see. It’s a breathtaking masterpiece and a true work of art. It’s a shame that the movie is scarred with the tragic loss of Ledger, but his fans will definitely feel that his final performance lived up to all the hype. Ledger literally poured himself into this role. He stayed up for days at a time just so he could be a little bit more insane when filming. He developed insomnia due to the mental and physical stress he put himself through while becoming the Joker and in the end it was insomnia that killed him. This movie is a tribute to one of the greatest actors who ever lived. It’s worth seeing if only out of respect for a man who poured his heart and soul into what may possibly be the best character performance ever recorded for the big screen. The movie gets 5 out of 5 stars easily. It’s an absolute must see.