So, I finally got my chance to see the Dark Knight last night. I know I’m late to the party so my review won’t be too crazy or in depth. I thought the movie was excellent and definitely on par with Batman Begins. In a comparison, while I enjoyed Spiderman 2, I felt the first movie was the superior of the two, showing less flaws in the story telling and Sam Raimi’s habit of repeating his direction/sequences.

Chris Nolan who directed and co-wrote the film instead takes the story to the next logical step. The first movie focused on what motivates Batman, the second delves deeper into the question as to how this would affect society around him. The psychological spin wheel revolves around Bruce Wayne/Batman, Harvey Dent, and the Joker. Each representing a piece of a triangle, all extreme and all have their moral codes. The movie focuses on imposing those moral codes on others. Can one person/symbol change a society?

Direction: I felt the movie was a bit choppy at times which I know is an editing thing. It didn’t have the smoothness of the first film. I enjoyed Nolan’s use of colors and lighting that hued darker and darker as the madness of the plot unspoiled. Not sure if this was done on purpose but I noticed it.

Acting: I agree Heath Ledger’s turn as the Joker needs to be recognized. It’s on par with Anthony Hopkin’s turn as Hannibal Lecter. I lost the actor in the character and I wish we could of see more of his brilliant performance, sadly we’ll never know the heights he would of obtained as an actor. He was absolutely the stand out role. His performance also dwarfed the other actors who came off as missing something. Though Batman should be subdued and somewhat melancholy. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent was also a stand out performance and I hope there’s a way for his return. The rest of the cast was good and on par with the first film.

Plot: The movie’s plot is a train gaining steam to the climactic final act. A puzzle that unravels until a whirlwind occurs. And to me this is the problem with the film that doesn’t make it stand above the first. I felt too much was going on at the end. A much better ending would of waited to see Dent spiral out of control in a third film, instead of lumping it in the second. Not to spoil the end of the movie but I felt a further exploration of good and evil pitting, Dent/Batman/and the Gotham Police in their various quests would of set up a great final trilogy arc as to what good and evil is.

Overall: An excellent film you want to see in the theater. One of the best movies of the year so far.

Top comic movies of 2008 so far:

1) The Dark Knight

2) Iron Man

3) The Incredible Hulk

4) Wanted

Tonight I go see Hellboy II and will have a review up soon!