Alright, so mune is going to be doing a number of projects now, so the comic is going to start updating agian, albiet sporadically, and only for major stuff and movie reviews.. we probably should have done ones for Iron Man or Hellboy 2.

        At least you get one for THE DARK KNIGHT.

        First off, i've said before the scale on which I rate movies, this one gets a 10 out of 10, it rates right up there with "Gone With the Wind" and keep in mind that is a movie I watch at least 4 or 5 times a year despite the fact that not including the intermission it is nearly 4 hours long, and is nearly 70 years old.

        Batman: The Dark Knight, may in fact be the best movie I have ever seen, well, not necessarily THE best, you reach a point where movies can't really be compared, Gone with the Wind for example, or Star Wars Episodes 4-6, Braveheart, Casablanca... etc. There are, I believe, in Heaven, hallowed halls reserved for mankinds greatest works and the artists who produce them, things like the Sistine Chapel, The Bill of Rights, Hamlet, and the above mentioned films, Batman: The Dark Knight is going to join that august crowd of works.

        I don't say things like this lightly, a true instant classic is something that once done, creates a kind of culture in and around itself, I'm going to cite Casablanca as a sounding board; How many times have you heard someone say "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life..." and thats just one of... well.. really nearly every line in that movie has been quoted more times than is healthy, but you get the idea.

        I'm not going to quote The Dark Knight, because you likely haven't seen it yet, I recommend with all my being that you correct that, and soon. Heath Ledger died shortly after making this movie, and now that I've seen it, I am terribly angry with him. I've seen his other movies, a lot of them are fun. I enjoyed "A knights tale" because I happen to enjoy the work of fiction it is loosely based on (Canterbury Tales, by Chaucer, you'll find it in heavens art hall as well), but none of his previous work hinted at the wellspring of true talent within him. He is a terrifying character as the joker, he does not resemble himself at all, at any point, and frankly his portrayal is chilling. It is a true loss to the entire world that he discovered his muse, however he did, so shortly before his passing. I would have liked to see a lot more from him now. He is the Joke from the comics, and also the better episodes of the cartoon show, not truly a madman, but instead a calculating genius who uses all of his intellect to demonstrate a kind of depravity that sets ones mind to chasing its tail. To say that the jokers acts set one on the edge of their seats would be to remind people that the Titanic sank, its a fact, but it does not communicate the information nearly adequately.

        Christian Bale gave a commanding performance agian as Bruce Wayne and as Batman, however, if this movie were to be nominated for both "Best actor" and "Best supporting" (I doubt it will, and think it should) I would expect Bale to receive the supporting Oscar, as Ledger completely steals the movie. Bale demonstrates the characteristics that have made Batman an enduring heroic archetype all to himself. Batman is pure despite his assumed guilt over the deaths of his parents, his ability to take on any burden and see it through is the mark of a true hero indeed. He exemplifies the best in all of us, and while his position is one that cannot be attained in any real world sense....well... see the movie, I'm not giving any spoilers but you'll know what I mean after watching it. Keep in mind, that Batman is not the mask worn by Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne is instead the mask worn by The Batman.

        Morgan Freeman returns to reprise his role as Lucius Fox, no need for any especially lengthy commentary here, they expand on his role, beyond simply "Purveyor of gadgets to Batman" and give him a little character development. He delivers, in my opinion, one of the 5 best lines in the film, and he does it with the perfect combination of seriousness and mirth. It shouldn't surprise, Freeman has always been able to fit himself into any role that is required of him, and has never really disappointed me.

        Gary Oldman is also back, agian as Jim Gordon, better known as commissioner Gordon, this movie explains how he got there, I didn't actually like Oldmans' acting all that much in the first movie, it was one of the things that bothered me about Batman Begins, he makes up for it in spades in The Dark Knight, even delivering the titular line of the movie. From anyone else it would have been corny. Oldman manages to remind those of us who grew up reading the stories about Gotham Cities "detective", why the city needs Batman, because despite being what anyone watching could agree is a "good man" Gordan is still human, whereas Batman has transcended this part of himself in becoming The Batman.

        Aaron Eckhart joins for this movie, portraying Harvey Dent, if you don't know, well.. i'm not going to tell you, and if you DO know, then you already know what I was going to type. Yes, and he is amazing at it, I don't know if its CGI or just incredible appliance makeup, I don't want to know, don't tell me, its just very well done. I loved this man in "Thank you for Smoking" and I loved him in "The Dark Knight".

        The list of supporting characters is there, some people from the comics or cartoons have been replaced with others, same archetype, different names.

        The movie is infinitely quotable, sublime really in many ways. It will remind you of what is good, and bad in yourself. I found myself often asking what choices I would make in the same situation, as the movie is so fond of doing to the "people" of Gotham city, and not just the main players. Plenty of Cameos in this movie, which will remind the viewer that you do not judge a book by its cover, and people are both better, and infinitely more terrible than you could ever imagine.

        5 out of 5, I'd give it a six in fact if only I could hope they won't ruin it with a 3rd installment, lacking Ledgers considerable talent at playing the Joker. I am sorry to say this, because I love Jack Nicholson with a great portion of my being as an actor, he is another of my perennial favorites, but he is no longer the Joker, that title has been forever Usurped. It almost makes me wish the new series of Batman movies had followed its predecessor in the habit of killing the villians at the end of each film.

        Watch for trailers for both "The Watchmen" and "Terminator 4" the former, looks to be very good, and is based on a fantastic graphic novel, the latter, also stars Bale, which may in fact turn around what has been a VERY sagging franchise, as i've yet to dislike and performance he's given.

~B