The Dark Knight (PG-13)
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Caution: spoilers.
The sequel to Batman Begins. This movie had a fair amount of critical acclaim, which it deserved, as well as huge box office, which it also deserved. Then of course there's the nearly overshadowing fact that the Joker is played by Heath Ledger, who died several months before the movie came out. To be sure, he did an amazing job with the character... Oh, I should also mention that before the movie came out, there was an anime DVD called Gotham Knight, which consists of six interlocking stories set between Batman Begins and this film.
Well, the movie begins with the Joker and a team he put together robbing a bank. I guess the money he stole actually belonged to the mob, led by Sal Maroni (Eric Roberts). Of course the mob is pissed at the Joker, but also at Batman, who's been making things pretty bad for them lately. So Joker offers to kill Batman. Another person who's been making things bad for the mob is Gotham's new D.A., Harvey Dent. Who is, coincidentally, currently dating Rachel Dawes (now played by Maggie Gyllenhaal).
Well, I dunno, lots of stuff happens in the movie, and I couldn't follow absolutely all of it. Jim Gordon is now heading up a Major Crimes Unit, and eventually becomes Commissioner. Of course, Lucius Fox and Alfred Pennyworth are still around to advise Bruce and help him out. There are plenty of characters doing various things, but mostly it's about the Joker just being an agent of chaos. Eventually he decides he doesn't want to kill Batman, because he's just too much fun. But he doesn't mind killing lots of other people. And even Batman gets kind of vicious. But the Joker's major accomplishment is turning Harvey Dent, Gotham's white knight, the person everyone, including Batman, is looking to as a hero working within the system... into a madman, Two-Face. Although he failed at some other plans.
Ultimately, however, Batman makes a sacrifice, allowing himself to be blamed for things Two-Face did, in order to preserve the public's perception of Harvey Dent, believing him to be the hero they need right now, more than they need Batman. I'm leaving lots of stuff out, but I really don't know what to say about it all. I thought it was a great movie on a number of levels, though I think I preferred the first one....