Dir: Chris Nolan  Stars:  Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhall, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman

Synopsis: The Batman gets closer to shutting down the mob, and setting up honest DA Harvey Dent as the saintly figure that Gotham City needs --- but arrival of a certain Clown Prince of Crime circumvents The Dark Knights plans, as the Joker cuts a swath of destruction through the city.

We showed up for the movie an hour early, and there were throngs of people --- the movie edged out the record set by Spider-man 3 last year ($151 mil), making almost $160 million in the opening three days alone.  Showings all over the world were sold out all weekend, and when we left the movie, we practically had to fight our way out of the theatre!

The biggest thing I can say about The Dark Knight is that it's a movie of Shakespearean proportions.  Chris Nolan has taken the summer superhero blockbuster and elevated to a new level --- it's epic.  It's a complex drama with thrilling characters and some mindblowing action scenes that rarely stoop to cheesiness.  Nolan was also smart to borrow heavily from from some of the best Batman comics, like The Dark Knight by Frank Millar and The Killing Joke by Alan Moore.  The movie actually reminded me quite a bit of Michael Mann films, specifically Heat, in the look of the movie, as well as the plot machinations. 

As brilliant as the movie is, however, it's not without it's flaws.  It's 2 and a half hours long, and though there's not much fat on it, it's still a pretty indulgent running time.  I'm sure they could have trimmed it here and there in the editing room.

Of course, the question on everyone's mind --- how was Heath Ledger's performance?  The character of the Joker was definately one of the bright spots of the movie, but I'm not sure they fully captured his intesity.  He's supposed to be a homicidal maniac, something that would have really fit with Nolan's dark vision, but instead, he often comes off as cute.  That being said, it would have been easy and obvious for Ledger to play The Joker as over the top, like Nicholson and even Caesar Romero before him.  Ledger's more subdued, creepy, and droll Joker was an interesting choice, I just think The Joker should scare the pants off you, and I'm not sure Ledger's Joker accomplished that.  Is it an Oscar worthy performance as the pundits and Internet forums seem to favour?  This is really a matter of personal opinion, but though I think there's a bit of "Emperor's New Clothes" syndrome going on, ultimately I think Ledger's Joker worked well --- he definately steals every scene he's in, and that's always a good sign.

To address the question many parents have been asking me --- can I take my child to this?  It's dark and it's scary, so it depends how sensitive your kids are.  There isn't really any bad language and they cut away from most of the extreme violence --- it's rated PG-13.  The only part that I thought might be too scary is the look of Two Face (played incredibly well by Aaron Eckhart).  I'm sure horror movies have gotten an R-rating based on similiar make up jobs.

4 and A HALF Bat-Dorks on the Bat-Geek-o-Meter.  It's not quite perfect, but it's pretty darn amazing...or um...Bat-tastic!