The Dark Knight

RATING: A+

Comic-book heroes like Batman are few and far between. Batman didn't need to get bitten by a radioactive spider or get exposed to radiation. He chose his path--and he never gained any special powers from it, instead simply using his tools and gadgets and ninja training from Ra's al Ghul to help him fight evil. 

Now, in his second film under the helm of Christopher Nolan, he's been defending Gotham for a while, and keeping criminals in fear--in part with the help of newcomer Harvey Dent. Eventually, though, someone comes out of the shadows to finally challenge the supposedly unsinkable Batman: the Joker, a self-proclaimed "agent of chaos." His mission? Bring everyone in Gotham down to his psychopathic level, particularly Batman--as the caped crusader has to push his limits to the brink in order to bring down this new sadistic foe. 

The Dark Knight had a pretty fabulous predecessor to top in Batman Begins, and it ended up doing just that--this film gets virtually everything right. The acting is mostly fabulous--the same cast members from the first film still do great, and the newcomer Aaron Eckhart does quite well too. The late Heath Ledger ultimately steals the spotlight, though, in his near-perfect yet intense performance of the Joker that even startled Michael Caine. 

The plot to the film is brilliant. The script/dialogue is some of the best I've ever heard. Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard give the film a near-perfect soundtrack. The action sequences are still exciting, though the main focus is on the various tension points throughout the film, involving the Joker and the chaos he leaves in his wake. 

There's no such thing as a perfect film. But the Dark Knight is one of those films that gets pretty close. Probably the worst thing I could say about it is the confusing "sonar vision" stuff near the end of the film. And that's only a minor gripe that can be easily overlooked. It's a dark film and occasionally squirm-inducing, but it's a film that cannot be missed. 

Admittedly, I am talking about what is probably my all-time favorite movie, so my opinion might be slightly biased. However, the fact this movie has gotten overwhelmingly good reception from fans and critics alike just gives a person more reason to see it (if they haven't already).