The Dark Knight

*****
UK Release Date: July 24th 2008

When the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, the caped crusader must come to terms with one of the greatest psychological tests of his ability to fight injustice.

Director: Christopher Nolan (Memento, Batman Begins, The Prestige)

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Cane, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman

Christoper Nolan, along with his brother and fellow scriptwriter Jonathan Nolan, bring out the best in their characters, no matter how much screen time they get. Batman Begins had Bruce Wayne (Bale) coming to terms with his past and battling inner demons. In The Dark Knight, Wayne wishes to hang up the gauntlets and pass the responsibility on to someone more respected, like Harvey Dent (Eckhart), Gotham's District Attorney, someone who doesn't have to hide behind a mask. 'The Batman' is bad for crime, but crime is hitting breaking point with the Joker (Ledger) around. He's a criminal like no other. Batman and the authorities are constantly one step behind him. The Dark Knight is Heath Ledger's moment of glory. His Joker differs from Jack Nicholson's, taking a psychologically disturbed and overly delirious approach. Bale and the rest are just as fascinating to watch. The Joker pushes Batman to his limits, provoking Wayne to give up and reveal himself. The Joker takes the best of what's good and makes it rot. Every scene is gorgeously shot, with most of them set at night. Gotham looks pretty, but it's shell is full of mayhem. 

5/5