The Dark Knight (2 Discs) [2008] (DVD)

Can such a flawed movie get five stars? There is so much wrong with this film I don't know where to start: It's just too long and all the climaxes result in diminishing returns Harvey Dent's story arc is just plain unbelievable and without him the film would have been the perfect length Batman's voice!!!!! Yet this is far and away the best blockbuster film ever made. The Lord of the Rings trilogy seems positively emptied of meaning compared to TDK. This is also the best film about the war on terror by a country mile. Apart from The Lives of Others, there hasn't been a film in last few years that has left me thinking and talking about it for days. And I don't care what the boo-boys here and elsewhere say, Heath Ledger's performance is one of the greatest in movie history. I wish I could have taken Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale aside and given them a word of advice or two... but since they continue to stride on without me, I will have to consider their efforts without the benefit of my higher knowedge. And I can't stop myself from giving them 5 stars. In many ways, this is a film whose parts are better than the whole, which becomes something akin to a 1970s heavy metal drum solo - amazing, but a little monotonous after two hours - but those parts are so, so good. How are they ever going to beat this?

Why So Serious?! Amazing film with a great story and great acting. Heath Ledger was the hilight of the film and made a chilling performance. Great Film!

The Joker Steals The Show I gave this movie four rather than five stars because I think it suffers from being just slightly over long, its unsure whether it wants to be family viewing or just as sinister as it could be and I'm still not sure that Batman himself hasnt been miscast. This is the second in the series of films which began with "Batman Begins", it is set years after the first film. Crime and corruption are still a problems in Gotham but pale in comparison with what they once where as a consequence of not just Batman's vigilante justice but some crusading politicians and cops. Bruce Wayne is contemplating retiring Batman, partly for personal reasons (a love interest) but also because he feels the "state of emergency" conditions of the first movie, which had Rasa Ghoul contemplating liquidating the place, have passed. Enter The Joker who steals the show from everyone, a psychopathic jack the ripper style character wanting nothing other than to indulge his homicidal and sadistic urges. The characterisation of The Joker is unsurpassed and is destined to become one of the archetypical film psychopaths like Hopkin's Hannibal Lector, unmistakeably unhinged, insanely compulsive and repulsive, any ingenuity in his scheming is pretty much unsurpassed by the sinister, sick nature of the same. In the end circumstances leave no doubt that Gotham isnt ready for a world without Batman, although public attitudes to the same are changed for good, another film's set up but not in any way which detracts from this set piece. The movie's great but I'm a fan of a lot of Batman comics, books and films and still feel that in these movies The Batman himself lacks prescence.

Hmmmmm.......... good film, average DVD I found this to be a very intelligent piece of 'comic book' film-making, accomplishing the difficult feat of having Batman appear to be a strangely normal part of the real world. The action sequences are impressive, all the more so for being live action rather than CGI, and the performances credible. Aaron Eckhardt is particularly notable as Harvey Dent, his zeal always bordering on the manic even as a good guy. Gary Oldman is wonderfully understated and Michael Caine is, well, Michael Caine. I was left wondering if Gyllenhaal's character might return as Catwoman if there is a sequel. But of course the buzz was all about Heath Ledger. He is astonishing in his portrayal of the Joker. Regardless of his untimely death and the hype that surrounded this film as a result, this performance really does deserve a nod at Oscar time as he simply gobbles up the screen whenever he appears. I give the DVD 4 stars rather than 5 as I was a bit disappointed by the extras in what is supposed to be a 2-disc edition. I thought the 'news' items a bit pointless and there was too much emphasis on the Imax sequences. I did not expect a morbid Heath-fest but I did expect some kind of mention, even if only to go into more depth about his approach to the character of the Joker. I like to hear the actors talk about their characters and the process of making the film and there is little of that to be found here. So from that point of view I found this a disappointing buy and would probably have gone for the single disc edition if given the choice again.

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! THIS FILM IS FANTASTIC!!! i only saw the first batman film "batman begins" because my dad got it for my brother and we all watched it together... at first i didn't quite get it but after the second time it all came together and i was completely hooked, i became a batman fanatic! When i heard that there was going to be a sequel including the infamous joker and an appearance of, personally my favourite villain of all time, two-face, i was hopping over the moon! When i finally saw the film, i was completely enthrawled by it all! the action sequences with batman and the joker were amazing! there were so many twists and turns i couldn't keep up! Normally i hate it when a film is too busy, but because of the character's, especially the joker's maddness... it all worked! Michael Caine gave an excellent performace once again as Alfred, and Maggie Smith filled in well as Rachel Dawes. Of course i must mention Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger, he shall always be remembered as the greatest joker in the batman series! Although i do have one slight fault with the film, as i said earlier, two-face is my favourite villain. I love his madness and the idea that your life is left to a flip of a coin always thrilled me. One thing i loved as well was the differences in the two halves of him, however i did not get that feeling with this two-face, although the make-up was amazing and the story behind two-face really stood out. Even if you are not a batman fan, i do recommend watching this film, even it is just for the experience of seeing it. This film is definately a must see!