The Dark Knight Review

This Batman movie was something I didn't expect.  Instead of a mindless popcorn movie, this version of the Caped Crusader was dark, brooding, and deeply philosophical.  Ledger's Joker is no campy cartoon character.  Instead, Heath brings a sadistic insanity to his role that is frightening precisely because it is so realistic and believable.  He is never over the top or cheesy and never becomes a caricature, yet he commands your undivided attention every moment he is on the screen. 

Christian Bale (one of my favorite actors ever since I saw him in The Machinist) is also the most believable Batman I've ever seen portrayed onscreen.  He inhabits Batman with a quiet intensity and an obsessive, laser-like focus.  In addition, Aaron Eckhart is excellent and both Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine contribute sagacity and gravitas in their limited appearances as the wise men in Bruce Wayne's conflicted life.

What's most interesting in the movie is the depth of the story.  It reminded me of something I once heard on a television news program - police and criminals share the same psychological profile.  That is, they are different sides of the same coin.  The only difference is that police choose to use their need for risk, adventure, and recognition for good, while criminals use the same psychological propensities to commit crimes.  It's also the reason why - given the right conditions - police can be so tempted to cross the line and become dirty cops.  To think that a comic book movie could effectively explore this subject with its deep implications was unexpected to me.

There was too much violence for my tastes and I thought the movie was much longer than it needed to be.  However, The Dark Knight did not fail to entertain, nor did it fail to live up to its lofty expectations.