The Dark Knight (2008)

A good story has three acts. Any great trilogy in history will follow the general formula for that structure. The first act is world-building. It sets the stage for the world you are going to inhabit. You see the hero go through initial trials and tribulations. The second act is the meat of the story. The hero comes into his own and the obstacles are only growing. The hero goes through the wringer and by the end of act two is on the ropes. There is the smallest glimmer of hope, but the hero is left broken and in shambles. That’s what this movie is. This is Batman’s second act. The storytelling is immaculate, but like most Nolan movies, you could feel the runtime. The length is the only complaint, but for the most part, every scene was necessary for the plot or characters. As much as I loved Jack Nicholson’s acting for the Joker, Heath Ledger became the Joker. Every Joker before him felt like a caricature, but this version is an embodiment of crazy and chaos. This movie is often regarded as one of the best superhero films ever made. As a solo movie, it 100% is. It is a masterclass in storytelling and the exploration of the human psyche. That storytelling held it back from being a fast-paced thrill ride and that’s ok. My rating system forces me to have higher and lower scores based on story vs mindless fun. The score is hard-fought and deserves every point.

Story - 20%

Characters - 18%

Pacing - 16%

Spectacle - 18%

Entertainment - 18%

Total score: 90%

Grade scale:

90%-100% = must watch

80%-89% = solid, but could be better

70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you

60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons

0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here