MOVIE REVIEW - Batman The Dark Knight

Okay, its the big one. Time to get real about Batman The Dark Knight new in theaters this weekend. Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman. Another installment of the Batman series, this one the darkest of them all.

First, this is a very BIG movie. Big sets, music, special effects, cinematography, the whole bit as well as being big on time, running at almost 2 hours and 40 minutes. The entire feel of Batman though is very dark and grim. The Joker (Ledger) is on the loose in Gotham City. He is wreaking havoc and terror on it's citizens. And when I say terror, I'm not kidding. The Joker is a maniacal nut, in charge of his faculties enough to unleash brilliant plan after plan to take control of our fictional city. The written character of The Joker in the story is great, and Ledgers performance is very convincing.

The strength of Batman is the story. This of course is another superhero movie in the summer of tons of them, but the story here is far more intelligent than 90 percent of the rest. Although this is a summer big action flick, it has a realness to it that's hard to ignore. Make no mistake, this is a movie on modern day terrorism, wrapped up in a comic book background. And that is the separator.

You heard much made of Ledgers performance too as The Joker. Ledger of course died in January, and this is the last role of his young life. I will tell you this. When on screen, his interpretation of The Joker is compelling, brilliant at times, very raw and real, and will be the role that he is remembered for in his legacy. BUT if you're going to Batman to see Heath Ledger dominate the screen for 2:40 minutes, you will be let down. Although terrific, his role is totally supportive. There is not near as much Joker as you are led to think. I tell you that to be fair.

Interesting note here too. As I left the theater, I heard a kid about 9 years old say, "That was the best movie I have ever seen!" I don't doubt that young mans word one bit. Good for him. But to be fair, I'm sure he didn't understand the majority of it. With a great story, you often get a complicated one, and this is. You have The Joker, The Mob, Rival gangs, The Japanese Underworld, the District Attorneys office, SWAT all involved. This flick is totally written for adults. Lots of kids there, but it's for adults. There is violence, and there are real intense moments, and scary scenes. Some may be a little too much for some young kids. You know your kids best. I tell you that to be honest. Language tame, no real blood or gore either.

Batman The Dark Knight, I have to say this is the big movie of the summer. I will tell you I enjoyed it, and it was compelling and exciting for the most part. Surprising story is the difference. You may find other superhero movies soon follow suite. This is not your fathers' Batman anymore. Smart, intense, and dark.