The Campaign Builder's Guild

Just got home from watching it, and I have to say it is the single best Comic Book Movie I have ever seen. Ledger's performance stole the show... He single handedly gave the movie gravitas with a twist of insanity that, honestly, out stripped Jack Nicholson performance in the same role. I truthfully believe that, baring another amazing movie, Ledger should win Best Actor at the Oscars.

So far I haven't seen the movie, but from what you've written I just must go to the cinema this very weekend.

Anyway, regarding your comment about the Oscars, has there ever been a post mortem Oscar?

I actually think Ledger saved the movie.  Apart from his scenes I thought the movie kind of stretched and meandered.  It's a terrible shame Heath ain't around to grace the silver screen any more, if only because he can't be Batman's nemesis in the sequel.

EDIT: Who do you think will be the villain in the third batman film?  I don't think they'd be crazy enough to cast someone else as the Joker after what Heath did, but who else is there, really?  They're all, let's face it, kind of dumb.

I LOVED it. Very, very dark - it definitely felt like a Christopher Nolan film and not a studio Batman movie as the first one did. They let him have a lot of directorial direction with this one, resulting in a fairly mature, relevant look at morality, vigilantism and terrorism in today's political climate. A perfect juxtaposition to today's political climate.

...oh, and the action was sweet!

The word on the 'nets is David High Pierce as The Riddler for the 3rd movie. And Nolan really wants to use Catwooman, but wants to distance the movie more time from that fiasco a couple years ago.

Not only do I think this was the best comic book movie so far, but its up there with my favorite movies. The drama was incredible, and the peeks into Batman/Wayne, Dent, and Joker's minds were great ways of seeing three sides of similarly driven individuals.

And Ledger deserves a nod for Best Actor at least; not supporting Actor, but best Actor.

Did you guys site through the credits? I've heard that you should do that....

There was nothing at the end of mine, except extra credits for the IMAX version. What are you talking about Poseidon?

I don't know if it is through the credits or after, but there is suppose to be a tribute to Ledger somewhere.

I will be seeing the Dark Knight soon.
It sounds awesome.

OH, it's at the beginning of the credits. LIke not the first thing, but pretty early.

I just saw it. Pure awesome.

It knocked V for Vendetta out of my favorite comic movie slot, though only because it was more of a paragon of the genre. V is still high up because of its intellectual merits, though Dark-K still beats it with regard to how the writing/plot reflects the thesis and the level of abstraction.

I would go so far as to say that it was the best action movie I've ever seen. Perhaps I'm wrong on this one, but the action was simultaneously gripping, interesting and simple enough that I kept my immersion.

Heath's performance was stellar, and more specifically the Joker is the first villain in a movie which I have really viscerally been afraid of.

@ Salacious: I know that the movie was long, but I never felt my attention break. It was strained in parts, sure, but the pacing was done well enough, in my opinion. Care to be more specific as to what you'd do better, if you wanted to improve the film? (And really, it doesn't have to be a perfect criticism, I just generally respect your ideas and am curious to why your reaction was so significantly different than most.)

Why so serious?

Rael, I agree with you about Joker. It was the best portrail of a truely insane, but still intelligent, criminal. You never knew what to expect out of him, though it typically involved killing people. I'm so happy they didn't sugar coat him.

Phoenix gives the Dark Knight the full five firebirds.

The.
Movie.
Was.
EPIC.

Saw it opening night.

The Joker really saved the movie for me. [spoiler=Spoiler] The opening heist and the scene in the hospital when Harvey turns into Two-Face especially so.[/spoiler]

The plot kind of meandered along for a good while, and it just seemed to speed through the moments that should have been most dramatic.  The only thing that didn't allow me to simply guess each plot turn was the length.  For me, there was also a bit of character bloat; I know most of the big characters, but many of the plot-important minor characters simply got lost in the crowd.

Honestly, I've seen far better movies.  I've also seen far worse movies.  The Dark Knight was simply an average movie with a few high points, and a lot of hype.