The Dark Knight (2008)

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Director: Christopher Nolan

Writers: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer, characters by Bob Kane (what about Bill Finger?)

Stars: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Monique Gabriela Curnen



Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale), the guardian of Gotham City, has begun to wonder if he can ever hang up his cowl or if he is fated to battle the criminal element in darkness forever. 



His hope of a normal life hinges on the "white knight of Gotham City," DA Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), who can act in the light and within the system; if he can take Batman's place, it will be a powerful indicator that Gotham has become a healthy city.

 


This transition appears to be on track until the Joker (Heath Ledger) begins his rise in the criminal underworld. 



He is anarchy and unrestrained self-interest incarnate, pure and simple. 



The Joker and Batman are opposites, and the soul of Harvey Dent becomes their battlefield, thereby setting the stage for a tragedy. 



Director/co-writer Christopher Nolan has surpassed his excellent first film of this series. 



Everyone brings their A-game. 



I confess that I found the script to be unfocused and chaotic at times, but I was completely won over by the time the credits rolled for two primary reasons. 



First, the film's last act, and particularly its final moments, brings all the thematic threads together in an unexpected fashion. 



Secondly, the episodic nature of the screenplay made me feel that Batman and the Joker had a history of conflict by the end of the film, rather than one big encounter. 



It seemed like a more faithful adaption of their relationship from the comics.





















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