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Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal ... see more see more... , Gary Oldman , Morgan Freeman , Monique Curnen , Ron Dean , Cillian Murphy , Chin Han , Nestor Carbonell , Eric Roberts , Ritchie Coster , Anthony Michael Hall , Colin McFarlane , Joshua Harto , Melinda McGraw , Nathan Gamble , Michael Vieau , Michael Stoyanov , Bill Smille , Michael Jai White , Matthew O'Neill , William Fichtner , Olumiji Olawumi , Greg Beam , Erik Hellman , Beatrice Rosen , Vincenzo Nicoli , Edison Chen , Nydia Rodriguez Terracina , Andy Luther , James Farruggio , Thomas McElroy , Will Zahrn , James Fierro , Sam Derence , Jennifer Knox , Patrick Clear , Sarah Jayne Dunn , Chucky Venn , Winston Ellis , David Dastmalchian , Sophia Hinshelwood , Keith Kupferer , Joseph Luis Caballero , Richard Dillane , Daryl Satcher , Crhis Perschler , Aidan Feore , Philip Bulcock , Paul Birchard , Walter Lewis , Vincent Riotta , Nancy Crane , K. Todd Freeman , Matt Shallenberger , Michael Andrew Gorman , Lanny Lutz , Peter DeFaria , Matt Rippy , Andrew Bicknell , Ariyon Bakare , Doug Ballard , Helene Wilson , Tommy Campbell , Craig Heaney , Lorna Gayle , Joshua Rollins , Dale RIvera , Matthew Leitch , Tommy 'Tiny' Lister , Thomas Gaitsch , William Armstrong , Adam Kalesperis , Tristan Tait , Bronson Webb , Gertrude Kyles , Jonathan Ryland , James Scales , Nigel Carrington , Ian Pirie , Lateef Lovejoy , Grahame Edwards , Roger Monk , Ronan Summers , Wai Wong , Michael Corey Foster , Hannah Gunn , Brandon Lambdin , Joseph Mazurk

Christopher Nolan steps back into the director's chair for this sequel to Batman Begins, which finds the titular superhero coming face to face with his greatest nemesis -- the dreaded Joker. Christian... read more read more... Bale returns to the role of Batman, Maggie Gyllenhaal takes over the role of Rachel Dawes (played by Katie Holmes in Batman Begins), and Brokeback Mountain star Heath Ledger dons the ghoulishly gleeful Joker makeup previously worn by Jack Nicholson and Cesar Romero. Just as it begins to appear as if Batman, Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman), and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) are making headway in their tireless battle against the criminal element, a maniacal, wisecracking fiend plunges the streets of Gotham City into complete chaos. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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94% liked it

283 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Release Date: July 18, 2008

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DVD Release Date: December 9, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (164,925)

  • jmanard52
    December 29, 2008
    jmanard52
    One of the best superhero movies ever. Christian Bale continues to shine in this role. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine are superb.
  • garyX
    May 18, 2012
    garyX
    Being a bit of a latecomer when it comes to The Dark Knight, this film was always going to be about the hype. It's a tall order to live up to the expectation generated by the most anticipated film of the year directed by one of my favourite directors containing a performance laud... read moreed over by all and sundry.
    Basically, it had a HELL of a lot to live up to. Astonishingly, it did not disappoint. I loved Batman Begins, particularly its examination of the psychology of Bruce Wayne/Batman and the sequel can be seen as the continuation of a single story in a similar way to the first two Godfather films. This time it's The Joker's show all the way and Ledger tiptoes the line between playfulness and psychosis perfectly. His character is obviously designed to strike a cord with western audiences as a villain with no agenda, fear of death or capture, no objective other than chaos is clearly the ultimate "terrorist". I just wish there had been more dialogue between he and Bale, rather than The Joker making observations while Batman wordlessly pounded on him, but absolutely every other aspect of the film is pretty much flawless; the action, the effects, the performances, all spot on. The script is brilliantly written and I was glad to see it didn't follow the usual pattern of "we're all super-baddies so let's all join up to fight the hero", instead Two Face being a far more believable by-product of The Joker's manipulations. I still prefer the stylistic approach of Sin City, but it's still easily one of the best superhero films ever made.
  • shiftyeyeddog
    May 5, 2012
    shiftyeyeddog
    Let's get this out of the way right off the top: Heath Ledger is nothing short of amazing in this film. Heath Ledger's Joker makes Jack Nicholson's Joker look like Cesar Romero's Joker. Less cartoony and far more menacing, this Joker actually feels dangerous. Eve... read morery moment he's onscreen your eyes are simply glued there, just soaking in this iconic performance. His look, his mannerisms, his voice... they all come together to make the perfect Joker, and probably the best villain ever seen onscreen in a superhero movie... or any movie, for that matter. It's really quite a shame Ledger passed away, as I would love to have seen him portray that character again and again.

    Does the rest of the movie match this level of excellence? Well, not entirely...
    It's got plenty of action, just enough humor, and a good script for the most part, but there are a couple minor things that bothered me slightly:

    If they have to recast Rachel Dawes, fine, but Maggie Gyllenhal is a big step down; Bale's gruff "Batman" voice still sounds a little over-the-top and almost humorous at times; and the movie takes a few unnecessary turns, especially towards the end. Much off this is due to the involvement of "Two-Face." This film didn't need a second villain. His time onscreen does nothing but make the audience wish they'd hurry up and get back to the real villain. I've never cared for the character, and I suppose it's good they didn't wait to try to use him as the sole foe in a future film, but he simply didn't do anything for me.
    Aside from those aspects, however, it's difficult to find much to criticize in this movie.

    I struggled greatly with the rating for this one, as without The Joker, the rest would only have made for another above-average film like Batman Begins. But Ledger's Joker is undeniably the star of this show, and based on that performance alone, I spot it the higher rating. Forget The Dark Knight - they should just call this The Joker. Ledger simply OWNS this film.

    (on a related note, check out THIS LiveJournal entry)
  • jonnyjason
    April 18, 2012
    jonnyjason
    Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight proves that a superhero movie can succeed as a dark, provocative, and an ultimately top- notch film. This was definitely the best movie of 2008, and I'm sure that by now it's already on everyone's 'Best Films of All Time' list. (Like it's on mi... read morene)
    You can tell that a movie is great when each time you watch it, it gets better. that's how I felt about the Dark Knight. I think that Christopher Nolan has got a real future ahead of him. He can be the next Steven Spielberg or James Cameron.
    Overall, this movie was a real gem. 100/100
  • fb1463751009
    March 8, 2012
    fb1463751009
    What more can I finally ask for from a superhero movie? This is, by far, the best superhero movie I've ever seen. As a fan of crime drama epics that cut into the dark and gritty corners of the crime-world, "The Dark Knight" fulfills everything I could've ever hoped for from a sup... read moreerhero movie. I still remember watching this in the midnight showing and by the end, having my jaw open for a good 3 minutes. That isn't to say that it had its share of problems. My biggest gripe with the movie was the fact that it completely wiped away all the intricate and realistically sound character development that had been built up so highly from "Batman Begins". It's not like it completely disregards it like the Indiana Jones quadrilogy, but multiple aspects of Bruce Wayne's core paradigm are not mentioned. Also, "The Dark Knight" is more chaotically put together compared to its predecessor due to the enormous amount of subplots and sub-actions that are meant to reinforce the main plot; one could say that it is rightfully so due to the constant theme of "Chaos" ringing throughout the movie. It's plausible. The acting was top notch and what else could really be said about Heath Ledger's performance? Must I add more? What an incredible cast. All are A-list actors with grade A acting dishing back and forth. The cinematography is rightfully dark and the score was absolutely perfect.

    "The Dark Knight" sits alongside with some of the best movies from the crime-drama genre that rightfully stands out more than just a "superhero" movie.
  • CloudStrife84
    February 22, 2012
    CloudStrife84
    There are times, even though they are few, when Hollywood gets everything right. When a movie blows you away to a degree where you can't help but kneel down and thank the heavens you're alive. This was one of those all-too-rare moments.

    With its crisp dialogue, stunning action s... read morecenes and some of the best actors ever to grace the screen in our modern age, you got everything you need for a great evening rife with goosebumps, excitement and 100% pure entertainment.

    That being said, it's my great pleasure to confirm that Christopher Nolan has done it again. As if Batman Begins wasn't enough to please our appetite, he has brought us yet another fantastic comic book adaptation. In fact, this movie is so unbelievably good, that if I had my own award show, these are just some of the titles I would honor it with:

    * Best movie of 2008

    * Best Batman movie ever

    * Best comic-book movie ever

    * One of the best action films of all-time

    * One of the top 10 movies of the decade

    I could go on and on all day long with this. My point is, The Dark Knight is not just a movie, it's a cinematic masterpiece that will have you coming back for more. It's the bright ray of hope that Hollywood so desperately needed, to get itself up on its feet again and stand tall like never before. It's the movie that, once and for all, proves that good things come to those who wait.
  • phubbs1
    February 9, 2012
    phubbs1
    Batman Batman Batman, thats all I've been hearing for weeks, Heath Ledger this and Heath Ledger that, well now I've seen the film event of the year and I can say it is a good film but as suspected its not as GREAT as I have been lead to believe. Sure its probably one of the best ... read morecomicbook adaptations made apart from the Burton Batman's (my opinion) and 'The Crow' but its still not amazing in my view.

    First off the cast, its good, very good. With Freeman, Oldman, Bale, Ledger, Eckhart etc...this is an epic adaptation for sure. All members really do add to the film and make it far better than it deserves to be, main credit going to Ledger and Oldman really. As for Ledger...yes he is good, quite scary infact, almost abit too psychotic for the film hehe but he isn't the best thing since sliced bread thats for sure, and wether an Oscar is warranted? hmmmm lets just say if he was still alive I don't think there would be all this fanfare (no disrespect).

    Then there's the huge debate as to he's better than Jack Nicholson, hard to say really, Jack had some fabulously funny lines and quirks, not as mean and rough as Ledger, Ledger being much more evil looking. Its a close call but I still like Nicholson myself.

    As for the rest of the film its very good in places but a little off key in others, the start of the film I had no idea what was happening with the plot. Mob bosses against 'Joker' who's against 'Batman', then its of to Hong Kong for some other mob boss or informant, I dunno, I was lost to be honest haha. Another wierd thing was the small 'Scarecrow' cameo, nice yes, but pointless as you don't know what happens to him or why he and his mates are all trying to be Batman!! not much reason given there.

    The plot does tend to wonder a bit and if your not up on Batman's world then I think you miss it a little, the fact that the Joker has no real purpose in the film makes it hard to swallow and it does drag. BUT in the middle of the film there's an excellent chase action sequence involving bats on his Batpod, an artic and many police cars being smashed up, truly the best moment in the film and in film history for sure. The intro of 'Two Face' and his fall to evil is nice, the effects looing good after much worry haha although I don't think he would sustain THAT much disfigurement from being burnt for only a short period of time.

    The Bat gadgets are all super cool, the Tumbler (although not my vehicle of choice for Batman) is better than its intro in 'Begins' and shows some sexy weaponary, the bat 'hideout' is clean, slick and ice cool and 'Alfred' is nicely humorous at the right times :)

    Here in the UK Dark Knight is a PG-12...thats so wrong I can't begin to say, this film is not for kids, there are many strong jump outta your seat moments and some indications of nasty crimes that should have been a 15 I reckon, I think some overlooking for the money stakes comes into play there haha. I did enjoy Dark Knight, it was a good film but I just can't help feeling the real good old gothic Batman lurking on gargoyles was kinda more fun, this film is so serious, modern and hi-tech that for me it loses the classic feel of Bats. I still love those Burton Batmans, sorry but I just cant help it ;)
  • aquateen2
    January 20, 2012
    aquateen2
    You know my first response to the critical reviews of The Dark Knight was that I was absolutley shocked that a big budget, explosion diseased comic book super hero movie could possibly be as good as it was put out to be. To be honest, I hate to admit it, because of my disliking ... read moreof comic book hero movies. Thinking that they are simple investments by studio's with outstanding returns in terms of financial suceededness was actually mind-blowing. Firstly, there's nothing new in terms of comic book adaptions effects and theres even a familiarlarity to the film that its been done before. Even the plot. It was absolutely typical. So why did I adore this particular super hero film your asking. Not because of its typical conventions like effects but the part of it thats actually phenomenally cinematic. There are lots of fantastic dark overtones, a very clever script, amazing cinematography and possibly the best acting i've ever seen in a superhero movie. The first thing I thought when I saw Heath Ledger grippingly perform as the Joker was "Oscar! Best Supporting Actor!". Something he deservedly won. The Dark Knight is quite simply memorable. It stands out from the likes of Iron Man, Spiderman, Superman and The Incredible Hulk (2008). All of the over rated super hero films. This one felt like a true piece of cinema not rehashed loser gets powers, loser becomes winner, loser gets girl, loser lives happily ever after. What I loved most of all about The Dark Knight was its cleverly buried message. I cant believe im saying this but...see this big budget comic book superhero movie.
  • fb1378820053
    December 27, 2011
    fb1378820053
    Not just the best Batman film ever made, not only the best superhero film ever made but possibly one of the best films ever made. Christopher Nolan has created a modern masterpiece. I cannot stress how amazing Heath Ledger and his character the Joker are... The joker tops the bes... read moret villain in a film, Hands down. (Yes even Darth Vader!!!)
  • fb100001581602053
    December 25, 2011
    fb100001581602053
    Christopher Nolan's and superhero cinema's best work.

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Critic Reviews

Laremy Legel
July 6, 2010
Laremy Legel, Film.com

Christopher Nolan is much, much smarter than your average filmmaker. Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
July 18, 2008
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Christopher Nolan's latest exploration of the Batman mythology steeps its muddled plot in so much murk that the Joker's maniacal nihilism comes to seem like a recurrent grace note. Full Review

Peter Rainer
July 18, 2008
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

The film is so relentlessly bleak that, paradoxically, its blackness is not given its full due. But this comic-book movie is more disturbing, and has more freakish power, than anything else I've seen ... Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
July 18, 2008
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Watching The Dark Knight is like gazing into a mirror on a waning moon night: chilling and mesmerizing. Full Review

Christopher Orr
July 17, 2008
Christopher Orr, New Republic

Despite the tensions between its form and its function, The Dark Knight succeeds far more than it fails, and lingers provocatively in the mind. Full Review

Ruth Hessey
July 17, 2008
Ruth Hessey, Time Out Sydney

There is an exquisite order in the chaos, a fascist formality and video game surrealism that resists the forces of disintegration with a sort of superhuman determination. Full Review

Manohla Dargis
July 17, 2008
Manohla Dargis, New York Times

Pitched at the divide between art and industry, poetry and entertainment, The Dark Knight goes darker and deeper than any Hollywood movie of its comic-book kind.

Bob Mondello
July 17, 2008
Bob Mondello, NPR.org

An explosively provocative [film]. ... Exhilaratingly straightforward action sequences matched by moral complexity of a sort not usually associated with comic-book movie franchises. Full Review

Dana Stevens
July 17, 2008
Dana Stevens, Slate

For all The Dark Knight's occasionally bombastic excess, it sort of does top them all, and not only in star power and sheer number of things blown up. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
July 17, 2008
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

[Ledger's] performance is also the most interesting thing in the film, and when the Joker is absent, The Dark Knight loses most of its energy and dynamism. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Batman/Bruce Wayne: Sometimes the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve, to have their faith rewarded.
    • Batman/Bruce Wayne: (To the Joker) You wanted me, here I am.
    • Joker: Come on, I want you to do it, I want you to do it. Come on, hit me. Hit me!
    • Wuertz: Dent. Jesus. I thought you were dead.
    • Harvey Dent: Half.
    • Joker: You want to know why I use a knife? Guns are too quick. You can't savor all the little ...emotions that come out. You see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are. Do you want to know which of your friends were cowards?
    • Batman/Bruce Wayne: Batman has no limits.
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The Dark Knight Trivia

  • from the movie "the dark knight" Aaron Eckhart is playing a part previously played by 'Billy Dee Williams' in Batman (1989) and Tommy Lee Jones in Batman Forever (1995). Eckhart and Jones appeared together in what other movie?  Answer »
  • Which one-shot comic book was given to Heath Ledger to help him prepare for his role as the Joker in the new Batman film "The Dark Knight"?  Answer »
  • Heath Ledger plays what charecter in 2008's the dark knight?  Answer »
  • The director of Batman Begins & The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan did NOT direct which of the following?  Answer »
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