Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" is easily one of the best movies I have ever seen and by far the best super hero movie ever made. I had read on some review about the movie - "This movie will set a standard for all superhero movies. It will change forever the way super hero movies are looked at!" The statement is 100% true. The movie delivers what it promises and more. The reason why Batman is my favourite super hero character is that, Batman is so believable and acceptable. Batman is not superhuman, and what he does is through the help of technology and money. He is vulnerable to all things that can kill any normal humans. He can't fly, nor is he fast enough to dodge bullets, nor is he strong enough to catch falling Boeings and Air Buses in midair. All this makes Batman, the most human superhero there is. The best part about Batman is that inside the suit we see a bruised and battered Bruce Wayne.
It all started with "The Batman Begins". The movie brought the real essence of Batman. There were a few other movies made earlier on Batman. None of them were even near to the actual character of Batman. The one with George Clooney as Batman was more of a spoof of Batman. Jack Nicholson, though I have great regard for him as an actor, made complete mockery of the joker in the same movie. But with "The Batman Begins" everything changed. It was an absolute treat to watch the journey of Bruce Wayne from a guy who saw his parents get killed to the Caped Crusader. The movie ends with the entry of Joker. This movie was a sample of what was in store.
With "The Dark Knight", Christopher Nolan takes us to a different level altogether. The Dark Knight is surely not a normal superhero movie. Its serious cinema. Even though the movie is a two and a half hour long, there isn't a single dull moment. The movie starts with a bang with the entry of Joker. The Joker!! He is probably the most evil villain ever in the history of cinema. The character of Joker is superbly enacted by Heath Ledger. Man if this doesn't deserve an Oscar, I don't know what does. With the tongue swirling and the menace in the voice the Joker simply gets to you! The dialogue between the Batman and the Joker when he is hung upside down by the Batman is simply brilliant. Also the scene where the Joker transforms Harvey Dent to Two Face is brilliant. The Dark Knight is not an out and out action movie. Its a movie that has everything. The action sequences are all very well choreographed. The trailer front flip scene will surely make you jump out of your seats. But its the characterization that grabs the attention. The movie deals with a clash of morals and values. A clash of the good and the evil in a manner seen never before. The Joker transforming the good into evil through his menacing and sometimes very convincing arguments. So much so that he transforms the town hero Harvey Dent to "Two Face" before nearly forcing the caped crusader come out in the open.
All this makes The Dark Knight a must watch. Go watch it if you haven't already. Don't miss it, coz such marvellous cinema is rare.