absolute rubbish film. If Heath Leger was stikk alive he would not ve getting so much praise for his performance, Sorry but this is true.

Mihangel, Cardiff,

Poor. A recycling of the old action movie theme. Poor, nasal acting by the bat. Lots of big bangs and a few jokes - thinly spread. Heath the only saviour for this movie, and perhaps one witty line from Morgan Freeman. Too long. Too many anticlimaxes masquerading as plot twists. Don't bother.

jim, london,

This film is a masterpiece. The film is so aware of issues of modern society as it challenges stereotypes and pushes the boundries. Issues of crime, insanity, terrorism, heroism and what a city needs to live.
Its not just a superhero movie, it is a soaring crime epic.
One of the greatest films ever.

Danny, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear

I try to watch films at the cinema, as often as money allows, and I have never been as satisfied going to cinema as I was on the day that I saw this film. The film is truely amazing, Heath Ledgers performance was great, but its not good enough for a post-humous Oscar. Film of the year for sure!

Theodor, London,

What an awsome film... very intense, not like any other batman film. The Joker is nuts, a great performance by Ledger. Not too long at all, in fact I was so engrossed I didnt want it to end. My only negative point for this fab film is that it should be rated a 15 and not 12A.

S Connors, Ebbw Vale, Wales

I felt the film was a slight let down. Although Heath's performance was fantastic, I felt batman was poorly played by Bale. For starters his voice was completely over the top, to the point where i thought Tom Waits has entered the screen. His acting was very wooden too---also, dreadful film score.

Kieran, Midlands,

The film was fantastic, emotionally wrenching and beatifully crafted and shot. But does anyone agree that it might have lasted one act too long? Although the ferry sequence is done well, it gave the film a little bit of drag which prevented it from being the perfectly cut diamond it might have been.

E Weil, London,

To Nige, Belfast: It seems quite clear what Rob's remark means - that it's a deeply unattractive quality to be judgemental, and who can doubt such a remark having read Ms Smith's punishing diatribe against a film she has not even seen? Hardly a religious crusade.

The film's a marvel by the way :)

Ellie, Chelmsford,

"Heath Ledger: Australian for Villainy"

Foster's Lager Beer could use it for their Ads...(as it is so typical of their Ad punchlines)

Mahesh, Chennai, India

Ledgers performance made me also want to turn away from the screen and in fact leave the cinema, it was hammy and OTT. The fact that he has died shouldn't take away the fact that this was a cartoon villian with a silly voice.

Mark Watson, Barcelona, Spain

Well said review! A great movie is when you can have some good discussions about it after. And I'm not talking about the action, blow it up scenes. It's too bad some people are not planning to watch it, as they'll be missing an amazing movie. Not to mention Heath's brilliant portrayal of the Joker.

Arlene, LA,

if it was a family member and that happened would you want it placed all over the media. and numerous of my female friends want to see it or absolutely love it. Heath Ledger put on one hell of a good show!

armand, medford,

The Dark Knight was an AMAZING film. Ledger went all out to the point he got completely lost in the character. Which is what the really good actors CAN do. This film amazed me and shocked me. It was everything i expected and more... Batman has always been my favorite superhero and always wil be

ashlee, UTAH, US

There were several moments during the movie where I was completely torn between wanting to laugh and feeling deeply disturbed. The movie was capped off by the feeling that mankind is never beyond redemption, despite what the Joker believed. And Batman never killed--thats the way it's supposed to be.

Victoria, PA, USA

WOW! This has got to be the greatest comic book movie I have ever seen. The twist and turns in this movie is going to leave you guessing for the first 3/4ths of the movie. Then the clouds part and heaven shines its light in and lets you know that everything is gonna be alright. Christian Bale is still by far I think the best Batman ever. Almost like he was born to play this role. The Great Heath Ledger has taken the Joker back to what he was supoosed to be. I crazed lunatic that just wants to “Watch the World Burn!” And the Joker holds true to his originally story as in the comics. And how I mean he holds true is that no one knows who he is where he came from, or why he came to Gotham, but as Ying to his Yang he is drawn to Batman. But what really makes this movie is the Script and how well it was written. Even if you havent seen Batman Begins it dosent matter STOP READING this and go and see the movie right now. I really cant wait for the Blue-Ray to come out.

Christopher Knowles, Rome, GA, United States

I was able to watch The Dark Knight at the IMAX preview screening on 15th July. It is as great as you can imagine, the film looks amazing especially the scenes, including two big action scenes shot in IMAX, your inside of Gotham City & Hong Kong.
It is the best film of the Summer!

Luke Cavanagh, Salt Lake City, USA

"The dark knight look even better and if you can't see it then you don't know good cinema.

As for Mr Ledgers demise: Judge not, lest yee be Judged."

What on earth does this mean? I really despair at the way religion is brought to the fore as a full-stop to any debate, issue...get a life.

Nige, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Marcella Smith, Batman may be a cartoon character but he will always be more real than you or I will ever be. A character like Batman or even Superman will have a greater effect on peoples lives than most of us ever will.

Simon, london, UK

Saw the movie today and I must say I was totally blown away. Absolutely loved every minute of it. Fully deserving of the 5 star rating, this film is an epic

Adam, Perth, Australia

"Haven't seen the film, and probably not likely to (similar to the rest of the franchise)?"

Steve, have you seen the rest of the franchise? To compare the orginal nicholson/keating batman and batman begins (both excellent) to dross like Batman and Robin is ludicrous.

michael, London,

Though some say that they don't look for truth upon a screen, no one suggests that you take a movie and make it your own. But If you take the time to look beyond the screen, into the emotions in which the characters portray, you may find something within yourself you never thought was there.

Lisa, Oshawa, Canada

Marcella, almost all films are about cartoon characters, if you want to see it that way. Nora Ephron films, every Cary Grant movie ever made, most "worthy" Oscar winners, all populated by cartoon characters. But if they're entertaining, so what? I wouldn't go looking for truth up on a cinema screen.

David, Bath,

"i have not seen the movies" Well I feel your ability to comment on the films is severely reduced. As regards Ledger and the oscar nomination, what do the actors circumstances have to do with that?Its a work of art and fiction, not employee of the month. maybe we should only watch biographies....

Shaun, Belfast, Northern Ireland

This film might get me to the cinema for the first time since LoTR . Looks awesome .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Marcella:

You obviously haven't seen Batman Begins (as you say) so you are unaware of the brilliance and thought woven into the film.

The dark knight look even better and if you can't see it then you don't know good cinema.

As for Mr Ledgers demise: Judge not, lest yee be Judged.

Rob, Leamington Spa,

Hi. My name is Anmoldeep Singh Chahal But I prefer people to call me Anmoldeep only. Batman is my number one favorite superhero and Spider-Man is my second favorite superhero and then Iron Man. It's a good thing this Batman movie is 152 minutes.

Anmoldeep Singh Chahal, Fresno CA, USA

Batman isn't about being a hero. Batman is about moral boundaries, social inequity and ineptitude, justice and pain. It crosses boundaries, struggles with issues and addresses matters close to everybody who reads the more developed comic. The film is a good portrayal of these issues

Daniel, Birmingham, England

Marcella, please read the comic/graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns" and then judge r.e. depth. I had high hopes that the original Batman series was going to put this pain, despair and moral confusion onscreen and they failed miserably. It would appear that Christopher Nolan has finally succeeded

ted, london, uk

Haven't seen the film, and probably not likely to (similar to the rest of the franchise), especially after seeing the hammy acting in the clip doing the rounds at the moment. Akin to Carey in the Grinch! Sorry, Heath. Still, you were brilliant in Brokeback.

steve, watford, UK,

Great review; I'd been despairing of the New York critics. I'll echo the previous commenters; grand and moving epics have been built on far less. Personally, I dig the comics, and Nolan looks to have made a masterpiece.
And this young female can't wait to see the movie. :)

Olivia V, New York City, USA

"Does anyone else find it amusing that a movie about a cartoon character is being taken so seriously, and that one of the actors, who died at his own mischief, is being spoken of as an award winner?"

Do u really think that a person can be judged by that way??come on ppl!

Arjun, Chennai, India

Can't wait to see this movie. I enjoyed 'Batman Begins' as it was actually a good, well-made film that dealt with deeper themes than the average 'superhero movie'.

And, ahem, Mrs. Smith, it's based off of a very dark graphic novel about a man who doesn't have superpowers, Mr. Reviewer.

Rachel, Los Angeles,

What I find amusing is someone ready to denigrate both film and actor without having even seen it.

The character 'Batman' has no magical powers, merely a mortal and flawed man out for justice after witnessing his parents murder as a child.

A theme not out of place for either Homer or Shakespeare.

John Thames, London, UK

Marcella Smith,
I find it amusing that you venture an opinion on something you haven't seen.

Geoffers, Lancs,

Yes, obviously no other award winner has been irresponsible with drugs, prescription or otherwise, I am sure. Anyway, why can't a film about a cartoon character be taken seriously? Why should any work of fiction be taken seriously?

Simon, Bristol, UK

Awesome !

Eric, Vancouver, Canada

marcella smith - what a load of rubbish. just because your narrow definition of good cinema doesn't include the batmans (batmen?) it doesn't mean they aren't excellent films. which they are. secondly, heath ledger hardly died 'at his own mischief' . get your facts straight

dan, london,

It was not based on a cartoon it is based on a comic/ graphic novel. Although I definately agree that this kind appeals more more to males that doesn't mean it will be completely devoid of intellegence and emotion. A lot of the graphic novels aim to be gritty, brooding and quite arty like batman.

Guy, Kent, uk

"what can Batman do, whatever his superpowers, to save us from that?"

Batman doesn't have any superpowers. Other than that I like the review and can't wait to see the film :-)

David, Peterborough,

I have not seen the movie. Does anyone else find it amusing that a movie about a cartoon character is being taken so seriously, and that one of the actors, who died at his own mischief, is being spoken of as an award winner? With bus crashes and car chases it will appeal to young males, I suppose.

Marcella Smith, Ohio, U.S.A.