The Dark Knight - 7/18/08

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Johnathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan
Released by: Warner Brothers
Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG-13

I could easily phone this review in with a list of adjectives, like ones you see in TV commercials for movies like, "Brilliant", "Thrilling", "Fantastic" but that ain't my style and The Dark Knight deserves more than that. The folks behind the impressive Batman Returns did it bigger and better in this installment. The Dark Knight picks up the story of Gotham city relatively shortly after the events of the first movie, Batman Begins. In which, billionaire Bruce Wayne transforms himself in to the Batman in order to restore order and decency to the crime-filled city of Gotham. As The Dark Knight opens, crime in the city has been reduced significantly but the effects of corruption run deep. And as Batman, assisted by an un-official partnership with police captain Jim Gordon and his Major Case Squad, prepares to make the final blow to organized crime in the city, a shining new district attorney named Harvey Dent, and a mysterious new breed of villain calling himself the Joker emerge as major players in the future of Gotham.

From start to finish, this movie is incredible. Writer/Director Christopher Nolan and his creative team illuminated The Dark Knight and masterfully tell this story. Awe-inspiring visual effects coupled with riveting performances from an outstanding cast make this movie a winner by any standard. But, the true mastery of this new Batman franchise is the weaving together of complex multi-dimensional characters. Something not often found when life is given to the characters found on two-dimensional comic book pages. This superhero movie sets itself apart from the rest by telling a story that is as much about the city of Gotham and the people who live in it as it is about the man in the cape. The Dark Knight is really about why Batman is necessary in such a city.

Once again Christian Bale was excellent in the title role. And he was assisted with great support from Michael Kane, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. They were each superb and a pleasure to watch. But, without overstating things, Heath Ledger's Joker is nothing short of spectacular. His performance is so dynamic, as Batman's psychotic arch-nemesis, that it rivals the eye-popping special effects for which is more stunning. Ledger manages to create genuine terror with his portrayal of the Joker.

Unless you hate yourself, you should go see this movie, immediately. Stop reading this right now and go to the nearest movie theater. It doesn't even matter if the show has already started by a ticket, walk in halfway through, sit down and wait for the next showing to start. See it soon and see it often. You'll love yourself more, if you do.

The Dark Knight earns six beers out of a six-pack.