The Dark Knight

Starring:
Christian Bale
Heath Ledger
Aaron Eckhart
Michael Caine
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Gary Oldman
Morgan Freeman

Written by:
Jonathan Nolan
Christopher Nolan

Directed by:
Christopher Nolan

This movie was definitely the best movie I have seen all summer, and quite possibly one of the best movies I have seen period. The Dark Knight has it all. This movie is quite a bit darker than the first, but it doesn't leave you down by any means, it has plenty of laughs, action, and romance too. This was Heath Ledgers best performance in my opinion, he took this role and made it his own. The Jokers voice is still echoing in my head a day later. Aaron Eckhart does an excellent job as well in his role as Harvey Dent. Christian Bale comes forward again with a powerful performance as Batman. I feel the spotlight was evenly distributed in this movie and not shining on one character for too long.

A robbery of a bank where mob bosses store some of their money causes them to meet and discuss options and coincidentally they find one, The Joker shows up and gives them a proposal. Ever since Batman showed up in Gotham, their business has been dwindling and will continue on a downward spiral until someone takes care of Batman, so The Joker offers to rid them of Batman for half of their money. What the mob doesn't know is by agreeing to this they have unleashed the most diabolical, insane criminal Gotham has ever seen. The Joker uses people to try and draw Batman out and reveal who is truly is. He starts killing public officials and promises to keep killing until Batman reveals himself. This causes the people of Gotham to turn on Batman and call for his arrest. What follows is a thrill ride of car chases and shoot-outs. Several twists and turns keep you guessing through the whole movie. We also meet Two-Face in this movie, and I have to say that is some of the best CG work I have ever seen. His face is truly disturbing.

The movie carries a PG-13 rating for violence, language, and some gruesome scenes. I wouldn't take any kids to this movie that are sensitive to violence and gore.

Overall I give this movie a 9 out of 10.