The sequel to the best Batman film yet is surely one of this year's most anticipated releases. It's also notable for being Heath Ledger's last role before his tragic death earlier this year. Continuing from where Batman Begins left off, the hero continues his evolution. He's found a level of comfortable proficiency in his suit, and is clearly much more confident in his abilities this time round. He's also beginning to understand the enormity of the task he's taken on; Gotham is a city overrun with corruption and organized crime. Batman and the jaded but incorruptible Commissioner Gordon join forces with District Attorney Harvey Dent in a bid to bring down the city's criminal organisations and bring justice to the streets of Gotham. All of their efforts and the entire city are thrown into chaos by a psychotic criminal mastermind known only as… the Joker.

The Oscar buzz surrounding Ledger's portrayal of the Joker is certainly justified; there can be few more distinctive swan songs than the ruthless deformed psychopath that he embodies here. It comes as a complete surprise to feel empathy towards such a malicious, calculating villain, but somehow, he pulls it off – not only is he hypnotic whilst he's on screen, but it's easy to share in his destructive glee. Whilst Ledger's powerhouse performance may gain the most column inches it shouldn't overshadow the presence of the rest of the cast. The Dark Knight is an ensemble piece that has some of the best casting of any comic book movie so far. The Joker acts as a catalyst, driving each of the characters to new and extreme emotional territories which invokes a sense of drama unparalleled in the genre.

Christian Bale is once again perfectly cast as Batman, all brutal growling efficiency, and he's equally adept at playing millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne – his arrogance and swagger giving even Tony Stark a run for his money. Gary Oldman is an inspired choice for Jim Gordon, and whilst he doesn't hide behind a mask or freaky alter-ego he manages to be just as captivating as those he bumps shoulders with. The character arc of Harvey Dent is particularly impressive to behold, being a gruelling psychological decline that's both convincing and tragic - a credit to series newcomer Aaron Eckhart. The film is incredibly well balanced with even the smaller 'supporting' roles being pivotal to the plot. Alfred the Butler (Michael Caine), Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and love interest Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal who replaces Batman Begins' Katie Holmes) all have moments of glory and there's plenty for them to get their teeth into.

There may be an obvious clue in the title, but this film is Dark. There are insidious twists and developments that even fans of the comics may not see coming. The layers of complexity and weight that the Nolan Brothers have ploughed into the script show a level of respectful loyalty to the source material that would normally be at odds with the mainstream blockbuster status. This may not be a family friendly flick but it's certainly accessible, and there's plenty of action to keep you hooked for the lengthy running time. The darkest elements of the tale are offset by some genuinely funny moments of dry wit and black comedy, eschewing the visual slapstick of other recent comic book movies (e.g. Iron Man and Hancock). The tone is more mature, the outcome more violent. Some of the most humorous moments involve blackmail, accidentally firing weapons in a scene reminiscent of Bond's Q, and what must surely rate as the Funniest Explosion committed to celluloid.

After proving his mettle setting the scene in the first film, director Christopher Nolan has got a much greater canvas to play with this time round, and he's created a masterpiece. Gotham may be a grim place to live, tormented by crazed villains and controlled by the criminal fraternity, but it's a beautiful place to visit. Nolan pays homage to Michael Mann's dusty blue depictions of L.A. and together with the flawless special effects, costumes and make-up, the Dark Knight is a formidable vision. This imagery, combined with such pace, structure and powerful performances compose a truly epic movie that has more toys and tricks than even Batman's utility belt could hold. The Dark Knight is the best comic-to-movie transition so far, and the benchmark by which all others will be measured. It's also a strong contender for best film of 2008, a must-see.

Rating *****

Released 25/07/08
152Mins

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