FINALLY - the sequel to Batman Begins hits the big screen, with suspense, action, and more thrilling adventures of everyone's favorite rodent-themed superhero Batman!

Starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight sees the new re-worked Joker make an appearance, with Heath Ledger's final performance (already being hailed as OSCAR-worthy) making waves, The Dark Knight also explores the origins of another Batman classic villain, Two-Face (Aaron Eckhart).

Hollywood analysts are predicting this weekend's 3-day take to be one of the biggest box-office openings in History, breaking all previous records.

If you don't see it this weekend, you better have a damn good excuse.

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eric Roberts, Anthony Michael Hall

FULL REVIEW

Ok, first thing's first: Heath Ledger's performance is that good. He manages to take the little lines, the 4-word, off-hand comments seem important - he gives every word an instability that seems to spring from the character itself. He gets swallowed in the role - you can't even tell it's him. From the mannerisms to the delivery, he becomes the character.

...and after that is where the hype lets you down.

Everyone is applauding the film, but (in my opinion) Ledger's performance is the only reason for this. Yes, there's a great story. Yes, there's some exciting twists and turns. Yes, there's some incredible characters. Yes, there's amazing performances from everyone - from Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Christian Bale to Gary Oldman and of course Heath Ledger.

But "best movie ever"? I don't think so. Regardless of what IMDB says, I don't think it's on quite the same level of Godfather or The Shawshank Redemption. It is a superhero film after all - and this is coming from a superhero fanboy.

I don't know if it's the shock from seeing the film the first time - that it's not setting in yet. It might take another viewing for me to "get it" (and I will definitely see it again) but I am not as wowed with The Dark Knight as everyone else is.

The story is great - Gotham City's decent into anarchy and madness, with the inmates running the proverbial prison (why anyone would want to live in Gotham is beyond me...), and it's played to the point where the city itself becomes another character. You see every aspect of the city, from the lofty penthouses to the gritty streets, you get a character development from the city that you don't get from most characters in most movies.

And the movie is very dark. Crime, death, murder, betrayal, conspiracy - every twist and turn reveals a new shade of darkness. From the twisted, psychopathic evil of The Joker to the unyielding crusade for justice from Harvey Dent - no one is spared from the tainted grip that seems to BE Gotham City. As I was watching the film I was asking myself "Is even Batman strong enough to escape the soul-corrupting evil that seems to spring from this city?"

Yes, the film was good. Best movie ever? No.

Am I going to recommend it to you? Of course. I think you need to form your own opinions, devoid of Hype.

My verdict?

SEE IT