The Dark Knight

The Clown Prince of Gotham, the Joker, definitely carried the film to a different level. Not only did Heath Ledger deliver an outstanding performance, but the writing of the script by David Goyer was great.

I felt that this movie was a true sequel to Batman Begins, and that it had forced Bruce Wayne to continue to explore his vigilante persona, Batman, and what it stands for to the city of Gotham. In Begins, the origin story, Wayne is anxious to fight crime and defend his city. In Dark Knight, he realizes that he has limits, and that he did not respect the criminals in Gotham. Batman pushed to hard, and the Joker arrived and pushed back. In response, Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes fall into the crossfire. In the end Batman becomes a new symbol for Gotham, which will most likely be carried over into the next film (crosses fingers). This sequel did not deliver over the top action or unnecessary action, but just the right amount to carry the story. This also did not feel like a filler sequel like Pirates of the Caribbean 2 or Lord of the Rings 2. But in order to truly appreciate this film [Dark Knight], it has to be seen after Batman Begins, with the idea of the development and evolution of Batman. If we view it that way, we will definitely appreciate what Batman 3 will bring to the table.

No other superhero film that I have seen has tackled or express such exploration in it's protagonist. Dark Knight delivers on the relationship between the needs of Gotham, the idea of Batman, and the presence and reason of the Joker. Maybe it is because I read a lot of comic books, or stories in general, but I do appreciate how this film continues the Batman legacy, even though it was not as action-packed or laid back as Batman Begins.