Speechless...

Let's get this out of the way, it is undeniably amazing. More specifically, it destroys the barriers of a super-hero movie and sets the bar higher than any other movie of its kind could hope to accomplish.

DISCLAIMER: If you have somehow stumbled upon my blog, you must have already seen it so I don't care about spoilers.

As everyone expected, Heath Ledger steals the show, and rightfully so. The Joker is played so masterfully, at times you wonder if he is even acting. It seems instead he just allowing his id out to play. Every line he has is memorable; "Why so serious?", "I hated my father", and "I'm a man of my word" will give you chills days after the show has ended.

Christian Bale lays the role of Batman on thick. His super-snarl is quite hammy at times (he sounds like an 80 year old emphysema patient), but aways comes of as a believable. The role of Bruce Wayne is of course designed to be quite extravagant and Bale has no trouble filling the shoes of the uber rich playboy. His wit is razor sharp, and his suprise spending never fails to entertain.

The supporting roles of Commissioner Gordon, Lucious Fox and Alfred Pennyworth ( played by Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine) add more than enough to the movie to merit comment. Gary Oldman is always good, but plays the part of the the lone cowboy in the police force with undeniable ability. Lucious Fox is a much smaller role, but Morgan Freeman owns it as well as every scene hie is a part of. Alfred's anedotes just get better with age, especially his diagnosis of The Joker which, at least to me, is the best piece of writing in the movie.

After letting my initial excitement settle, I still have to say that this is the movie event of the year, by far, and it will have a serious chance of picking up several Oscars. Heath acquiring the Best Supporting Actor nod would not suprise me in the least.