The Dark Knight….grim, mean, bleak, perfect!

Great anticipation can often lead to even greater letdown in the movie world. How often have you been pumped to see something and walked out of the cinema disappointed and partially embarrassed that you gave such a toss?

Well, The Dark Knight is no such disappointment. Infact, this baby delivers in seemingly un-ending truckloads. From the opening scene to the very last, it is one of those films that nails your arse to the cinema seat and will not let you go until it is done with you. Afterwards you feel violated, cheapened and bruised….but oh so good!

Ok, here’s the obligatory Heath Ledger rave: Yes, he was amazing. I knew he would be good but I had no idea that the hype surrounding his Joker would prove to be spot on. His presence gives so much power to the film that he easily outshines Batman himself. I’m not sure Christopher Nolan wanted that…a Batman that you sit patiently watching as you long for more scenes with the Joker.

Simply put, without Ledger’s Joker, the film would still have been great, but he propels it into another realm, making it more than a simple action sequel and more of a standalone classic.

The other great surprise is Gary Oldman’s Commissioner Gordon. He gets a much meatier role in this film and he shines. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent is also great, as is Katie Holmes stand-in Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Christian Bale is a great Batman, but it is almost as if he sit back a little in this film. Not a criticism, just an observation. Nolan’s directing is something that should be also noted. This is one of the best directed blockbusters I’ve ever seen….in the same league as Raiders Of the Lost Ark and other Spielberg classics.

The Dark Knight is a modern masterpiece.