The second film of the re imagined batman franchise this time featuring the joker as the main bad guy. Unfortunately this film is always likely remembered and indeed coloured by the fact that it was Heath Ledgers last film. To get it out of the way early I think it's fair to say that Mr Ledgers performance is very good in this film.

Anyway moving along, Batman (Christian Bale) is having quite an impact on the criminals of Gotham and they are getting worried. The citizens are feeling hopeful and some of the people are becoming vigilantes naturally dressed like the caped crusader. Enter the Joker (played by ledger) a mad criminal mastermind offers the criminal elite of Gotham a way out by killing the batman for half their money.

There is also a new district attorney a Mr Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckheart) who is a no nonsense incorruptible crusader for justice. To make matters interesting Mr Dent is also dating Bruce's childhood friend and semi love interest Rachel Dawes. The film shows the rise of the Joker and the path that Batman takes to counter this new type of criminal someone not interested in money or prestige.

The Dark Knight is ... well Dark, there is the odd bit of comic relief (usually courtesy of the dry wit of Michael Cain's Alfred the butler) but mostly it's all business. The action is top notch and the film crafts a fairly believable story. The acting on the whole is very good, most of the major cast are very good. The only one I felt wasn't quite right was Maggie Gylanhal who played Rachel Dawes, I don't know if it was the script or her own acting but when she was there she was a fairly hollow character she seemed to serve as a plot point but have no real personality in and of herself. I liked Ledger as the joker his slightly unhinged mannerisms but calculating nature all came off wonderfully and I especially liked the way the Joker is somewhat of a cypher the film not really getting into who he is just what he is. All the supporting cast are very good Morgan Freeman, Micheal Cain, Gary Oldman it is good line up and it makes the film that much more rich.

As a second film it's pretty good it keeps the same dark feel of the first one and continues the universe believably. It has some memorable performances and some really good action. It's a pretty good action film and well worth a look see.

The Dark Knight is well paced from the off. The start sets the scene and the backstory in a suitably concise but not rushed way, and is stylishly done.

The Joker as a character is very very well played. All the details are right, down to the slapdash makeup application, mannerisms and unkempt hair. Every action is carried out in a way that is whimsically malicious, and unrepentant... so much better than many of the attempts you see to play deranged. In fact he appears to be quite rational, but using very different rules to everyone else.

Batman is again played as a vigilante skirting the edge of what he's willing to do. His wonderful toys are improved once more, and while he is incredibly capable he is in no way invulnrable.

Overall, this is a very good film. Dark and rife with moral ambiguity, action and gadgets.

To steal from an Austin Powers 2 trailer, If you only see one superhero film this year, see Iron Man. If you see two see The Dark Knight as well ;)