Enlarge Reuters Revved-up action: Christian Bale is Batman in The Dark Knight, which made $155.3 million its opening week. DEDICATED TO ‘THE DARK KNIGHT’Reactions: Sharing your 'Dark'-est thoughtsToo much: Too dark for kids? Box office: 'Knight' nabs biggest opening everReview: Ledger's talent lives on in 'Knight'Team Batman: Nolan, Bale re-teamOscar-worthy?: Heath Ledger's 'Dark' Joker could be wild cardMore SUMMER MOVIE GUIDE What USA TODAY readers have been saying about The Dark Knight:
“It was an awesome film. I have my own sort of rating order. I call it the watch system. The more times I look at my watch, the worse the movie. Titanic was a five-watch movie. Terrible, in my opinion. Dark Knight was a one-watch movie. Lots of action, twists and turns.
“Heath Ledger owned his part as The Joker, just as Christian Bale now owns Batman. (Director) Christopher Nolan does a wonderful job keeping true to the Batman story.
“Maggie Gyllenhaal replacing Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes was a good choice. Aaron Eckhart fit the bill as District Attorney Harvey Dent/Two Face. There’s a highly nice touch at the end for the tribute of Heath Ledger and Comway Wickliffe, one of the stuntmen on the film. If I get a chance, I may go notice it again.
— Michael Mulready, 48, who works in health care in Glastonbury, Conn.
“Wow. The creepy physical mannerisms and disturbing nuances of speech that (Heath) Ledger instilled in his Joker are truly unique and definitive, as well as a testament to his abilities as an actor. He utterly lost himself in the role, and the movie was all the better for it. And rarely has every member of an ensemble cast been so consistently brilliant in every respect. After an endless barrage of overhype from the media, I was expecting to be let down by the film as a result. I’m thankful that it wasn’t the case.
“The Dark Knight is far too complex, challenging and thematically dark to have existence simply relegated to ‘popcorn movie’ status. It truly (and surprisingly) does raise expectations for what can be accomplished within the superhero genre. I can’t wait to see it again.”
— Robert Bazylak, 34, an elementary school teacher in Conneaut Lake, Pa.
“It’s without a doubt the best film so far this year. Everything from the skilled direction by Christopher Nolan down to the terrific performances all add up to create a truly memorable moviegoing experience that has stayed with me long after I left the theater. It is in such a manner rare a thing when a sequel exceeds its predecessor like this has. It builds on everything that worked so well in the first film and adds so much more. “Heath Ledger doesn’t just play the Joker in this film, but he embodies his contemplation and soul and achieves what so many actors aspire to and rarely ever succeed at. I would say that this is on par with Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance in last year’s There Will Be Blood. It’s a work that will be talked about and remembered for years to come. All the hype surrounding his performance and this film is true. It really is that good. “The problem is just for he is deserving of awards serious thought, since well as the movie itself including Christopher Nolan as best director (that would be fantastic), doesn’t mean it will come. The academy has never given much thought to films of this genre with the exception of technical categories, so if they snub the film in the acting, writing, directing or best picture categories, it wouldn’t surprise me that much. Just because a film is great doesn’t surety it will get the recognition it deserves. But robbing Heath Ledger of what would be a very well-deserved nomination wouldn’t just be wrong, it would be criminal.
— David Mayer, 23, a student in Phoenix
“I saw The Dark Knight with my sons (ages 15 and 18), and I must say I have never been more mesmerized than with Heath Ledger’s Joker. Creepy, cunning. Every time Heath was on, he stole the scene. He was about to grow one of those special actors. It is a shame not to ever know! The movie was A+ to me. It just passed up Iron Man, another good one.”
— Erick Webster, 46, a mechanical engineer from Detroit
“the sort of a fitting swan song for an unbelievably talented soul who, sadly, was most likely just entering into the best years of his professional life. For Heath Ledger not to be at least nominated for, let alone win, the Oscar for best supporting actor would be a crime worthy of … well, the Joker.
— Robert Degennhart, 36, a consumer event producer in Buffalo
“If Mr. Ledger does not win an Oscar, I’ll eat my shorts. With all of the hype, I thought I’d be disappointed. (But) his performance was one of the best acting performances I have ever witnessed — and I am a 43-year-old movie nut. I actually cannot remember another acting performance that captivating; perhaps Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood comes close. Comparing this performance to Marlon Brando is realistic, not hype.”
— Jack Sodak, Lancaster, Pa.
“Absolutely incredible, mind-searing, disturbing performance by Heath Ledger. The soundtrack rocks you to your soul, and the stunts are some of the best, especially since most are practical. That 18-wheeler scenario is the best! Going on the frontier to see it again in IMAX. Ledger deserves the Oscar, but the year isn’t over.
— Damon Webster, 50, a producer from Los Angeles
“I have worried when I comprehend a lot about a movie and get my hopes up, but this met my expectations. It was a little long, but Heath was so good, he was worth every minute of it.”
— Sandra Erwin, 29, Anaheim, Calif.
“I’m going to see it again this week. I’m not a big fan of the comic-book movies, but I had to see (Ledger’s) last movie. He deserves the Oscar. It didn’t feel like a comic-book movie at all. It felt like a regular crime movie.”
— Janice Taggart, 33, Seattle
“I thought Iron Man was the best movie of the summer, maybe the best comic-book movie. Now you can forget it. This is going to be the movie that makes people take comic-book movies seriously.”
— Justin Levy, 26, Evanston, Ill.
“My wife and I were some of the ones who saw The Dark Knight at 12:01 a.m. We thought the movie was the best movie of the year and the best Batman movie yet. Everyone involved with the movie should be given praise for continuing to stick to the story of Batman. It’s great how the cast and gang gave each character time in the movie, and the action scenes were perfect. Overall it was a great movie, and I will be going to see it again. I am also looking forward to a special DVD set to come out.”
— Robert Vick, Olympia, Wash.
“I fully believe that The Dark Knight has not just lived up to all of the hype, but it has surpassed it. This is what Batman is all about. Not only is Heath Ledger’s performance outstanding, but the story line is strong. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the best of the superhero movies that be the subject of ever been made. I saw it on IMAX yesterday, and I’ll be back to see it again this week.”
— Reid Adair
“I went to see Dark Knight on the first night with a lot of expectations. It was on the same level better than I thought it would be. All the performances were brilliant. I only thought of Heath Ledger once. After that he was The Joker — an incredibly wonderful, depravity performance. Christian Bale was just as good. Ledger should win a supporting Oscar, and personally I think the movie should be considered in the top five of the year. Congratulations to Dark Knight— a truly great movie that raised the bar on superhero movies.”
— Virginia Carpenter
“From top to bottom, this movie was amazing — the acting, the cinematography, the action, the writing and the pace of the movie. Some people say the movie was a little long, but I swear I did not become aware of the opportunity. I was thoroughly mesmerized by the whole film. Of course, the standout performance was Heath Ledger’s Joker — he played this character without restraint. The Joker was without conscience, fearless, maniacal, psychopathic and just plain looked creepy, especially with the smeared makeup and the limp. Talk about a wild trip to the dark side.
“Christian Bale was as wonderful as he was in Batman Returns, capturing Bruce Wayne perfectly — a man struggling with a dual life and struggling with the meaning and legacy of the dual life. The other supporting characters were fleshed out wonderfully, giving the movie the required nuances and textures take a movie from good to excellent.
“I was impressed how this movie dealt with themes of morality, fear, shocking event, compassion and sacrifice. These issues are not always dealt with properly in movies, still this movie found the correct balance between these messages without losing its entertainment value. Admittedly, I cried for the loss of Heath Ledger. Seeing his performance once again emphasized what a great talent he was. At least we have this performance to solidify his acting legacy.”
— Lorna, Norwalk, Conn.
“I just got back from seeing this movie, and it is nothing short of phenomenal! Great acting, great casting, great story and play! It makes all the other superhero movies appear to be tame compared to this roller-coaster ride of a movie. Heath Ledger does deserve an Oscar nomination as the Joker, and I think Aaron Eckhart did a superb job as Harvey Dent/Two Face. The only bad thing with this movie is, I don’t see how they can top it with a third one. It’s a degrade Heath Ledger passed away. I would have liked to have seen him reprise his role as the Joker in a future film.”
— John
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Enlarge Warner Bros. Pictures Heath Ledger’s turn as The Joker already generated Oscar buzz as it pit the villain in an epic crime duel against Christian Bale’s Batman.