Personally I am a big fan of the comic book style movies, but have to admit Bat Man is one movie franchise that never really grabbed me. In 2005 all this changed with the launch of Bat Man Begins. Since the trailer for “The Dark Knight” hit the screens , I have been dying to see it (along with the rest of the UK it appears)

Christopher Nolan brought Bat Man back to life with a kick. The new darker, bolder and better Bat Man hit arrived with such an impact it was hard to beat. It has to be handed to him though, this time he excelled himself. “The Dark Knight” is most defiantly the Bat Man film everyone has been waiting for.

Okay, So we’ve been subjected to enormous amounts of hype and marketing for “The Dark Knight”. We’ve heard the Joker laugh played over and over again, but it all culminates with the actual release of the movie (and what a movie it is).

Nothing I write could do this film as much justice as it deserves, but am going to try my hardest anyway. “The Dark Knight” starts as it means to go on. We don’t start with a story, we get straight in to the action. Bank Jobs are all to common in most movies now adays, but how many banks do you know that get robbed by people in clowns masks?

With the bank job done, Its time to introduce the ring master himself. Its the Joker, who’s get away vehicle just happens to be a school bus. A sign of madness or sheer genius? Ill let you figure that one out. Now whilst the Joker will play, it appears the Bat Man has smaller fish to fry.

From this point on, Bat Man consciously takes a back seat. Hanging up his bat cape, when a new guy  is appointed the District Attorney (Harvey Dent) . Dent becomes some what of a favourite with the people of Gotham thanks to his tough talking, crime busting court room antics.

The man under the Bat Man mask himself lends his support to the now labelled White Knight of Gotham due to him sensing his own brand of justice is doing nothing. Fear not tho, as this isn’t the last we see of our caped friend. Whilst Gotham City may have found a face for its hero in the form of Harvey Dent, there’s still the matter of a certain wild card on the loose (Get It?…)

With the joker becoming seemingly impatient, mayhem starts and the battles between Bat Man and the Joker finally start. The densely-plotted first act is now broke up thanks to the Jokers twisted sense of humour lifting up the pace. So more Jester than Joker then?

Now that the plot has developed, the links between the local mafia kingpin, the kingpin’s accountant and everyone else on the payroll has come to light. The Joker freely March’s in to a mafia meeting and lays down the law. Pure Black comedy comes in to play here (and I don’t mean of the Chris Rock Kind). The Joker now labels himself the “agent of chaos”, and with the on screen performances he gives it feels like practically anything can and will happen.

With the war between Bat Man and The Joker firmly on, its up to Alfred and Lucious Fox to bring the Bat Man back down to earth. Alfred played by Micheal Caine (every one’s favourite and original cheeky chappy) keeps Wayne level headed and gives him the best advice he will ever hear. “some men aren’t driven by money, they only want to “watch the world burn”. As well as the Butler on hand, we also have Morgan Freeman’s character of Fox providing Wayne with the Technical gadgets. (they put bond to shame)

As we draw to a close now, We see the rebirth of a sumwhat hero, but surely that’s a good thing, Isn’t it?

The end of this film symbalises just what its all about, and also raises the question. Is Bat Man a superhero?

On a final note, Although some may feel a bit of melancholy over Ledger’s untimely death, i think it is safe to say he alone has made the Joker an ICONIC movie villain. Its clear that “The Dark Knight” is “THE” summer blockbuster of 2008 and no one has a chance of taking its crown.

10 OUT OF 10