The Dark Knight delivers

So I finally saw “The Dark Knight” last night and the much-hyped film did deliver – even if it was about 30 minutes too long!

Yes it is Batman’s movie, but Heath Ledger’s “Joker” dazzles from the minute he hits the screen. Ledger is creepy, psychotic, comical and at times cartoonish in his portrayal of one of the most famous comic book villains of all time.

An Entertainment Weekly review described Ledger’s “Joker” voice as similar to comedian Al Franken – which is a pretty accurate comparison. His sing-song tone helps keep viewers uneasy.

Also the Joker loves telling everyone how he got the scars on his face – kind of like that old relative who loves to tell you about their gallbladder scar! Well the Joker’s explanations are just as cringe worthy.

Christian Bale’s “Batman” is similar to the first film – “Batman Begins” – brooding and gravely voiced. By the end of the movie, Bale is just about coughing out his lines.

For a good chunk of the movie Bruce Wayne pines away for Rachel Dawes (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal taking over the role from Katie Holmes), who is now the main squeeze of Gotham’s District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart).

Gyllenhaal couldn’t really add too much to the role that was already too small to begin with. Eckhart was perfect as Dent but didn’t get enough time to develop his character fully as a villain. His eventual turn as “Two Face” seemed rushed.

The movie was two hours and 32 minutes of action, storyline development and at times – humor. At times the movie was a bit too much to take in.

Did anyone else see the movie yet? Is Health Ledger going to win an Academy Award for this role?

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