The Dark Knight (2008)

Christopher Nolan has a way with making films. They're always wonderful. Well thought out. Beautifully crafted. Made to look real, believable. But the Batman films have always been absolutely phenomenal. From the script to the music to the actors, the films flow together perfectly, crafting an intricate story about Gotham's caped crusader. Christopher Nolan's films have set a precedent for Batman films and with this being the summer of superheroes, my expectations for Dark Knight Rises are extremely high.

2008's The Dark Knight was an exciting thrill ride. Dark, terrifying, humorous and very intense throughout its entirety, the second Batman film introduced us to the Joker, who was scary, sinister, and downright mad. Seeing the film for the first time made us all feel like we were in Gotham, in this dark city riddled by crime and while Batman is the protector of the city, we can't help but be somewhat terrified of him, too. Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne is brilliant, smart, and quick. But when he transforms into Batman, he becomes this unmatched force of technology, intelligence, and I mean, the dude has a cape. 

The Joker (Heath Ledger) is a fantastic performance, as well. He steals the film away with his mad, crazy comedy act, but there are points throughout the film (or, really, the entire thing), where you see that the Joker is completely batty. There's a scene where the Joker is interrogating a Batman imitator and he asks the perp to "look at him", and then he has to repeat himself, but when he says it again, it sounds nothing like him. He sounds demonic, crazed. And that is what makes the villain in this film unlike any other. He's completely mad. And it makes the film absolutely incredible. 

Other choice actors in the film—Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman —round out a perfect cast. Intense, dark, and humorous, everyone plays their part perfectly. 

The Nolanverse Batman films are not as ... comic-book centric as other superhero films, but that's what sets it apart. He's created an entirely new way to portray heroes on the big screen. From the way it's filmed, to the script, to the music (Hans Zimmer can compose the soundtrack to my life. Seriously), The Dark Knight is beautiful, thrilling, and entertainment at it's best.

He's Batman, after all.