The Dark Knight - A Review

I finally watched "The Dark Knight" three days back. Since then i have watched the movie twice and yearning to watch it once more. The movie has lived up to all its hype. I hated superhero movies until i watched "Batman Begins", this movie revolutionized the scripting of all superhero movies, the Nolan brothers proved that superhero movies are more about plot and characterization than just super powers and gadgets. The "Dark Knight" is yet another feather in their cap.
The "Dark Knight" follows up from where the first edition ends and takes us through a well crafted dark (this is not just a metaphor, most of the sequences in the movie are shot in the dark) and a gloomy ride. The last time i felt the darkness engulf me in a Batman story was during the Batman cartoons, some of which were really dark. Kudos to the Nolan brothers, the dialogues supplement the darkness of the plot. They are undoubtedly the best, be it the direction, the screenplay or the dialogue. The background score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton bring a sense of foreboding in every scene. Christian Bale seems to share a great rapport with the Nolans', Bale suits the character of Batman well. The self doubt, the urgency and the fear of losing all are well enacted by him. Maggie replaces Kaite Holmes in the role of Rachel and graces the screen with her ravishing looks. With all the talk about Batman being the Dark Knight who saves Gotham, actually the word aptly suits Heath Ledger who steals away the show with an impeccable performance. He is indeed the Dark Knight of the movie. Credit to the Nolans' for scripting the Joker to be a psychotic hoodlum, but no strategy is a success unless executed perfectly, and Ledger beholds and craves out a stunning performance. The dialogues accessorize his psychotic self, which by the way lends to the Dark outlook of the movie. The scenes where he attempts to narrate the story of his scars are gems strewn across the movie. The conversation with Batman in Gordon's cell just blows your mind out. The rational arguments that Ledger puts forth to make Batman believe he is a freak, as Joker is just staggering. I find no reason why Ledger should not be give a posthumous Oscar for this brilliant performance.
Bottom line, two indispensable reasons to watch this edition of Batman - Heath Ledger (Joker) and the Nolans' (for the brilliant screenplay). Apart from these, Christian Bale , the action, bat mobiles and of course Maggie Gyllenhaal. "The Dark Knight" is really a grim tale, with the irony in the climax that is bound to haunt your cognitive memory for a long time.