The Dark Knight

Christian Bale, Michael Cain, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Rating: A-

After Wayne (Bale)'s home was destroyed in the Batman Begins, he takes up residence in a penthouse in Gotham City. Gotham's thugs are too afraid to discuss business at night, hiding away in the daylight from the vigilante. Harvey Dent (Eckhart) is Gotham's needed hero and Wayne starts to believe the city does not need Batman soon. Dent has been locking criminals and keeping Gotham's streets clean. However, one force comes in to play: the Joker (Ledger). The Joker has no rules but his twisted mind brings the city into chaos. Batman is up against one of his toughest villains yet and learns that he has can't always be the hero.

Another masterpiece by Nolan, The Dark Knight continues to thrill audiences. It's a refresher to see a sequel that does not disappoint. There are many factors that make this sequel amazing: Heath Ledger as the Joker. Ledger immersed himself in the role so deeply that viewers could believe he became the Joker. From the creepy laugh to his twisted mind, the Joker becomes one of the audiences favorite villains.

Then there's Harvey Dent. Dent is a symbol of hope not only for Gotham City but for Bruce Wayne as well. Wayne hopes that Dent's keeping Gotham City clear of criminals will allow Batman to retire. The only problem is Dent's vulnerability to being corrupted by the Joker. Shocking events turn Dent from a hero to an angry victim.

Bruce Wayne has his own ethics to abide by. While the Joker has none, Batman faces his toughest challenge yet while seeing how long he can endure watching the city burn. Wayne is trying to be the hero Gotham needs, only after the destruction the Joker left behind, he has to flee the city.

The Dark Knight leaves audiences wanting more. Nolan does another great job keeping viewers anticipating the return, and end, of Batman in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises.