Let me start off by saying I’m a huge cynic when it comes to movies that are hyped up. Once people begin to rave about a film, I automatically search for the flaws. It’s my nature that stems from being let down so many times from a long awaited film that flopped and flipped before my eyes and caused me to count each second of my life that was wasted.

Perhaps it was appropriate that the prelude to the blockbuster season was fittingly a trip to NYC to attend the 2008 NYC Comic-Con and sit before those who created the geek genus: Dick Ayers, Nick Cardy, Irwin Hasen, Carmine Infantino, Joe Kubert, Stan Lee, Jerry Robinson, John Romita, Sr, Joe Simon, Joe Sinnott and Mort Walker to name a few (you can view my footage here ).

Last weekend Iron Man left me excited, high energy and above all impressed. It was Marvels glove that was tossed in the ring with heavy hitter Batman Begins. They quickly erased the faux pas that was Hulk and replaced it with The Incredible Hulk. While The Incredible Hulk was a decent movie, it was still a light weight contender in comparison to Iron Man and Batman Begins.

Batman Begins changed near insulting comic book hero film adaptation and raised the bar. It was nice to know that the industry did take note and changed the class for good.

While I was all ready to assemble a butt kicking suit last weekend and take a stand against the bad guys, this weekend it’s quite a polar effect. It’s been three hours since I left The Dark Knight and I feel heavy hearted. Jerry Robinson, the claimed creator of the Joker, was consulted for the The Dark Knight so that the villian can get back to his original sociopath beginnings. They did it hauntingly well.

Once The Dark Knight began, every word that I’ve heard about this film, every promo, every heart wrenching reminder of Heath Ledgers passing, they all flew out of my head. It begins in a real world filled with real people with real agendas and real tragedy, or so that was my impression. It wasn’t painted pretty or glammed up for the viewer. It was a comic book legend being spilled into our familiar surroundings.

I had a been a fan of Batman through my entire existence and watched the evolution of the character through various platforms. Some had excited me and some disappointed me. I’m thankful the evolution didn’t end with Batman and Robin.

Christian Bale has been an actor who has grown on me over the years. I had questioned his talents (over hyped) when he first arrived on the scene; and many years later- he has yet to give a disappointing performance. He is the bat man. He is Bruce Wayne- he brought life back into a character that had become stale on screen.

Maggie Gyllenhaal also brought realism in her role as Rachel Dawes. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent was perfect casting. Gary Oldman rocks it again (omg I could go on and on about everyone) Heath Ledger regardless of his tragic ending gave a chilling, gritty and unforgettable portrayal of The Joker.

The story lines that intertwined were well written, well acted and blended together flawlessly.

It’s difficult to write a review without talking about *what* made a movie so great.

I guess I’ll have to end this the way I brought my film viewing experience to an end. I sat there respectfully through the credits to see all the wonderful names of each person who had a hand in making this movie as tears welled up in my eyes (for obvious reasons) and left in silence.

Thank you Christopher Nolan, once more.

1 more thing, there are no video games in the works (other than for mobile phones) THANK YOU!