*WARNING: SPOILER ALERT! I would not recommend reading this post if you have not yet been to see The Dark Knight!
I’m not really even sure where to start on this review. This movie was incredible. Without a doubt, this is my favorite Batman movie…well, ok the original Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson movie (yes, I realize that Adam West did a movie, but are we counting that?) was magnificant. I still remember watching it when I was a kid and cheering one of my heroes doing some series bad guy stomping…but this latest film on the Caped Crusader was truly amazing.
Christopher Nolan, who is the writer, producer, and director of this darkest yet Batman trilogy, has returned us to his version of Gotham with as much drama and depth as the last. In this movie, we delve into the psyche of the characters without spending the entire movie thinking, “Poor Batman” or “That Joker…no wonder he’s crazy!”
Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is …well, you’ve all already heard that he gives nothing short of a stellar performance and will surely at least get an Oscar nod. Ledger was so incredibly into his role that he added touches of realism that I honestly had to think about. For example, why is he licking his lips so much? Personal opinion…the Joker wasn’t born with the scars on his face. After his lips and cheeks healed to the scarred mass that remains, I’d imagine he would be constantly running his tongue over the new surface of his his lips and cheeks. I have a snaggle tooth that is a result of a recent experience with braces and developed the habit of worrying at said tooth with my tongue. This isn’t something that I ever did before. So why wouldn’t the Joker also develop this habit? What if he flicks his tongue out like that not to be gross, but as a habit due to scarring? Are we assuming its a crazy tick for an insane man when its really something much more ordinary? And as much as everyone has raved about the madness of this character… I still loved the VERY dark humor. I was not expecting the disapearing pencil trick, let me tell you!
I also can’t help but to point out due to the complaints of some friends, that it was pretty much a given that something horrible was going to happen to Rachael, eventually. I mean honestly, people…has Batman really ever had a girlfriend that lasts? And would we really want it to? I’m pretty sure there was an episode or two in the original Adam West TV series where Batman fell in love (evil super villain women, ya know) and they drove me insane. Batman cant be…happy. He just wouldn’t be the Bat!
I have no complaints what-so-ever in regards to this movie. In fact, I’m planning on blowing another $9 to see it again! I am eagerly awaiting the third installment of the Nolan’s Batman. I do, however, want to point out that this is NOT a movie for little kids. I know its Batman, but he has grown up with us. Please encourage people not to take their 5 year olds to see this. If they insist on scarring them, maybe wait til DVD? I listened to quite a few little children screaming mid-movie this time. Ugh.
I have yet to establish a rating system for my reviews (since I’m still in the learning process) but whatever system I end up using…this movie gets the highest rating. 
