I thought this was one of the ballsiest movies in a long, long time. This is at the same time, action packed, humorous, terrifying, suspenseful, and just plain amazing. Every heap of praise that this movie is getting is deserved. My only complaint, and it's a small one, is the very small screen time that a character from the other movie has. No big deal though, I didn't expect them to be in it much anyway. Great stuff. 

Fucking awesome. So great. Joker was so awesome. stuck to the character so good. just an amazing acting job by everyone. LOVED it so freakking much!! definately a must see. enjoyed every minute of it

and i did indeed dress up as batman. everyone in the theater loved it.  

i loved when he made the penscil disappear.

This movie was the shit! It left me speechless, we can't say enough about their performances, especially Heath Ledger's. Can't wait to go again.

Our movie crapped out with 1/2 hour to go. Then it started up again with no sound. I ended up walking out. It was a frustrating experience, especially since I liked so much of what I saw. Legder was really amazing. He made that role his own. Not knowing how the movie ends, I don't know what they will do about the situation, but I don't think they can touch the Joker again for awhile.

Bat sonar sucks. That said, um, EVERYTHING else was amazing. I'm in awe.

Fantastic. absolutley fantastic. i want to cry im so happy right now.

Just a heads up. No need to stay till after the credits ,there was nothing. Then again, who cares, the movie was so great. I don't even know what they could have put in to make it better.

wow, this movie was INCREDIBLE. loved joker, but also really loved harvey dent - it's so hard to pull off a good guy going bad like they did in thie film.

I'm throwing the gauntlet down. If nther film with this cast and crew was bever made. I'd be completley satisfied. How in the world do the filmakers top something that was absolutley awesome? Hoe do they even come close to achieving this again?

See you all in a week... The UK's rubbish!

4 hours and then I get to see it...just. 4. hours.

what else could you want from a movie?? 

Exactly!

This movie was incredible. Easily the greatest comic adaptation of all time (and probably pretty high up there for best regular movie, too).

I cant watch it cause it's all sold out today......*goes in fetal position*

10 out of 10  AMAZING!  Saw it twice already.  Going for #3 in an hour.

 "Who wants to see a magic trick?"

Great movie, Two-Face was almost hard to look at, they pulled this one off big time!

Just for reference, did Two-Face look anything like this?

http://www.headstatic.com/whitenoise/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/2face.jpg

@ Tork-Yes. Almost hard to look at, it looked great when he was talking/looking around.

TwoFace was so badass. I loved the scene in the car w/the Italian mobster guy, and the coin flips. My only quibble with the movie was when did Harvey find a tailor to get a two toned suit made in the midst of an evacuation? Other than that, The Dark Knight was brilliant.

All i can say is WOW! I loved everything about this movie. For me it did not take a wrong turn and for 2 1/2 hours the movie is well paced. I thought Eckhart stole the show. Already saw it twice will see it sometime next week on IMAX.

@Ntpmcrtp-I think it was the suit from the fire.

Spectacular.  Eckhart was fantastic as Harvey.  I really don't have the words for how good this movie is.  Nolan was able to take the tone of a Batman comic, throw it up on to the screen, and make it not feel hokey more so than any comic book movie before it, including Batman Begins.  This movie is a testment on how to adapt a comic property to a movie.  Also if you are going to see this, see it on the IMAX.  It is unbelievable on the IMAX.

God I can't wait until 8:30!

 @Ipitythefool-Thanks for the heads up, I was thinking about that last night. 

My god, this was an amazing movie. That scene with Dent and Gordon in the hospital, my god, I was so tense I literally jumped and spilled popcorn when Dent screamed. I almost had zero problems with this film, which is crazy because I think I built it up way too much beforehand.

 Also I thought the changing Joker origins were a great touch, and were exactly what the joker would do.  

Harvey Dent was awesome.  I'm glad he was Dent and not Two Face for most the movie.  I think to much of that would not have worked.  They did it perfect.  Joker was Sweet.  i loved when the hospital bomb did'nt go all the way off and he played with the switch and looked around.

The Dark Knight was amazing it has to be the best comic book movie ever made

Not seeing it until Wednesday! I'm in agony!! :-(

Amazing! All of the hype, watching the trailer over and over, and I am still blown away! Chris Nolan is amazing. I'm speechless.

Heath Ledger's performance was so amazing.  The little things he did, like the flick of the tongue every now and then was just brilliant.  I can't wait to go see it again tonight.

in many other movies they just show the villans bust in a bank and get out. as soon as you saw the planning that it took for that bank job in the beginning and all the backstabbing, you knew you were in for a great film

I loved this movie.  I'm thinking I"m going again tomorrow to catch another screening.  Also, how haunting was Joker's theme in the movie?  I'm seriously considering buying the soundtrack.

This movie was so epic! That's all I can say.

I'm off to see it again!

Just saw it and it was, by and large, the most enjoyable movie I've seen in maybe ever.

I just bought the soundtrack off of iTunes.  It's fucking phenomenal.

It was almost like Heath Ledger gave a different performance for the Joker in every scene, which is just awesome.

Jesus christ this movie was amazing.

I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor, was that really 2 1/2 hours?

That movie just redefined the superhero movie genre it was so good.

If you guys want,  I went to an advance screening of the film a couple weeks ago with a Q and A with Nolan and some of the cast.  I recapped the Q and A and a review of the film if any of you are interested here is the link...

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=104690&blogID=411320993 

i just heard a rumor that the imax version is 20 minutes longer. any truth to that?

HOLY CRAP!!!! This has got to be my favorite movie of the year. I was never bored, and wanted it to keep going and going. My only disappointment is that I'll have to wait 2 or 3 years for another sequel, that hopefully will be half as good as The Dark Knight.

Basically, it is like this:

Dark Knight just did for the superhero film genre what the Watchmen did for comics.

I have to see it again... immediately.

@projeck... agreed on the Bat Sonar.  Really dumb and forced.  Everything else... incredible.  Heath was amazing and Chicago should be nominated for best supporting actor.  Chicago is Gotham.

That movie was beyond belief. it's almost like they packed two movies into one. Unbelievable. Heath ledger didn't play a man, he played a force of nature. The Joker was just CHAOS in human form. Eckhart was fantastic as Harvey Dent an Two-Face. Christian Bale should not be forgotten as he was the perfect Batman and Bruce Wayne. I love Michael Caine as Alfred. perfect, perfect casting. Morgan freeman is his usual awesome self. Maggie Gylenhall didn't have a whole lot to do, but was good for what she had. The acting was flawless, the direction amazing, the stunts unbelievable, the screenplay fantastic. The score was tremendous.  this really is a perfect movie.

I had the weirdest sensation watching this movie, simultaneously aware of how long it was and afraid it was about to end. "We're running out of time! It can't end here, can it? Whew, no, still going... but for how much longer?? Don't leave me hanging, Batman!" Because movies like this so often end with a blatant sequel set-up, I spent some moments thinking it was about to end right after Harvey's little accident.

I think it's a good sign when you mistake the middle of the movie for the climax. (Assuming an actual climax arrives later.)

A surprisingly political movie, much to my delight.

I can't think of a thing I'd change. 

@Jimski

That bit about the climax of the movie was EXACTLY my take on it. After what seems like the climax, it just keeps building and continues to impress. Astounding. 

Wow.....wow. Just got back from the theater....wow......wow.....

This movie worked on so many levels! If you're an action buff: done!

If dramatic acting is your thing and you like the pathos and duality of good/evil and what does it mean to be a hero/villian: done.

Special effects buff? Ditto.

Music...costumes.....really this was a perfect movie that just happened to be about super heroes.

All the more poignant that Ledger is no longer of this world. I really think he deserves an Oscar Win for this role...and Ledger should get a nod nomination for best supporting actor, this movie was THAT good.

For all the attention Marvel movies are getting and Iron Man was Fantastic, hands down the best comic book movie yet...

BTW: I don't think Harvey had a two-tone suit...it was just burnt from the fire...the entire side was gassed just like his face....at least that was my impression...

Did i mention WOW? 

..drat I meant Eckhart should get a nod for Best Supporting Actor. (We ever gonna get an EDIT function here?)

Yeah. Mmhmmm. Definitely awesome. This was a great movie. The Joker was probably my favorite in this movie. He was nasty, scary, funny, smart, all the things i had come to hope for with all of the hype leading up to today.

There was one thing that took me out of the movie. During the whole action car chase scene after Harvey gives himself up as Batman and he is in the armored car. Where was the music?? You get so used to hearing heartpounding music during intense car chase scenes like that. It didn't really make the whole car chase bad, but I thought it was really strange. 

Other than that, it was fantastic and I'll be going again.

KICK-ASS!

Ledger was REMARKABLE. He lost himself in the role and actually became the Joker. The voice! The tongue! The ominous soundtrack! The camera movement! The story about his dad! The story about his wife! The pencil! SLAUGHTER! Ha ha ha.

I think Eckhart was amazing in his role. In a lot of ways this was a Harvey Dent/Two-Face movie. Of course Bats got the most screen time but Dent represented the hope with a capitol H in Gotham. You are exposed to chinks in his armor about mid-movie and then you watch everything fall apart when his mind is poisoned. Its easy to acknowledge Heath's Joker because of the stark amoral natural of the character, but Harvey is a real character that has a tragic turn of character development. Given what Bats is forced to become at the end of the movie speaks to the power Harvey had.  

Tension, tension, tension.  From the opening scene the score would build and build and build.  Amazing.  Just saw the IMAX version, think I might hit a late morning screening tomorrow.  I'm floored.

I saw a midnight showing. There was more then a 45 minute delay at least for more then 8 screenings. They gave away refunds and such to those who wanted it. This movie was so great that I completely forgot my frustration prior to the start. I absolutely loved this film. I saw it twice today the midnight and then about 12 hours after I got out. The actors, story and pretty much everything were as perfect as it could be.

My biggest problem was Gotham this time. I'm from Chicago and I got distracted at everything Chicago this time. The buildings didn't feel like Gotham like it did in Begins. I recognized addresses, buildings, and IL plates. Other then that, loved it.

This is pretty much the best movie I've ever seen. What's almost more unbelievable than Heath Ledger's Joker is the fact that the rest of the movie managed to keep up with him. I hope the dvd is loaded with extra Joker scenes.

@Gleep: Nolan stated that he cut only ten minutes from the film. He's very methodical and tends not to shoot something he won't use.

I loved the movie! It was great. Hearing this praised as a movie not "good, for a comic book movie", keeps me hoping that at least some people will shed their misconception of comics.

Yes!!!!!!! Is all I can say............

Let's talk about the geek stuff. Anyone else pick on the reference to catwoman?

I loved the tense violin music with the Joker compared to those heavy drums for Batman. It added a lot of tension to those Joker scenes.

There is one word that perfectly describes this movie...

 MASTERPIECE 

'nuff said... 

'Dark Knight' sets box office record with $66.4M

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Warner Bros. executive says the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" has set a single-day box office record by taking in $66.4 million on opening day.

The movie's Friday haul surpasses the previous record of $59.8 million set last year by "Spider-Man 3." "The Dark Knight" also might break the opening weekend record of $151.1 million that also was posted by "Spider-Man 3."

Warner Bros. head of distribution Dan Fellman says the death of co-star Heath Ledger and the buzz about his frenzied performance as the Batman villain Joker was a big part of the movie's allure.

When I left the theatre Friday afternoon, a bit of a panic set in. Like a feeling of slight terror, it suddenly dawned on me that I had no idea when I was going to watch this movie again. I must see it now! Me wannnttttsss it!

It has been 24 hours since I first saw it. Since then, my eyes have grown almost double in size. The daylight is beginning to hurt them. I think I have lost near 30 pounds. My hair is beginning to fall out. I have always loved to eat sushi, but hot damn! I crave raw fish badly. What the hell is going on with me!

this things even better the second time.

It was brilliant. I thought no one could displace Mark Hamil as the joker, but Heath IS/WAS (sadly) the perfect incarnation. I admit after seeing Gotham Knight I was concerned it would be too grim, but the film manages to keep enough light that it remains a thrilling and even joyful experience.

 The scene that stays with me (that doesn't involve the Joker) is the one with Tiny Lister. I know that I shoyldn't have been surprised. However I was. And I was moved as well. 

I hated Batman Begins at first, and while it has grown on me some... I'm still not a fan.

That being said, The Dark Knight almost lived up to the hype.  It got close enough.  It's still not the best comic movie made in my opinion, it definitely created a comic book world to be envied by any other film maker.  Without the silly nuances of the origins of Batman and the Joker to contend with, we were able to go on a pretty wild ride.  Heather Ledger owned the Joker, although I did expect some things to go a little further over the top.  Christian Bale still just doesn't click for me as Batman or as Bruce Wayne.  Gary Oldman's Gordon is perfect, I can live with Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenall was miscast but it didn't intrude too much... and Aaron Eckhart.  I really wanted to like Eckhart's Dent... but, in the end he just didn't seem sympathetic or crazy enough to really care anough what happened to him... Batman's sonor vision was terrible, I wish they'd have found a better way.  Loved the guy discovering Batman's identity and the Joker offering the money to kill the guy.... that whole thing was wonderfully perverse and made moments like that in the film that much more worthwhile.

I was surprised the Joker lived, but saddened that we don't have Heath Ledger to wear the make up again.  That's the biggest disappointment...  to see what he could've done with character after he escapes Arkham two or three movies from now.

Despite my critiques, this is the best flick I can remember seeing this year.  It was pretty damned good... far from perfect, but still top notch - I wish they could've found about 15 minutes to shave from it to make it a tighter, tenser flick.

I also hate to admit, that the whole Harvey the White Knight and Batman that Dark Knight thing didn't click until after the film.

Possibly the first comic book movie where I didn't have to forgive anything. Everything was pitch perfect and Nolan and Co. showed no signs of weakness through the entire drama. If it's not the first Oscar-worthy comic movie, I honestly don't know what would be. My only problem/worry is how on earth could Nolan possibly top it in a DK sequel?

Two Face looked a loooot like Jonah Hex

@Andy Lawler, yeah, that was probably my favorite moment in the film when Lister chucks the detonator.  That was really well done.  I think someone yelled "Deebo!" when he came on-screen.

Hey speaking of Dark Knight, on another website I do my own review show and I did a Batman week.....I know it's advertising, but I'd like to know what you guys think of it....Even bad comments would be nice as well...Yes I'm a whore, but dont judge me too harshly:

http://www.4w-forums.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2454

So...what do you think?

This was such a well made film, it really reminded me that Nolan had made Memento with how perfectly surprising the twists came off.

Man what an awsome flick i cant say enough i havent heard anyone not liking it. I might have been the only one bothered by this but when batman riding the Motorcycle chasing joker he blows up some cars to get by and than shoots a window to break it. I couldnt help but think wouldnt firing stray bullets into a crowdedstreet be a real bad idea? Its a stupid nitpick but it was funny to me. No matter the nitpicks though this movie was just awsome. Between this and iron man its gonna be tough to top. Ow by the way im so PUMPED for Watchmen cant wait to see the ending of that.

I think I feel viewing #4 coming on tonight... Yes, I think so...

This is the only movie I have ever seen twice in the theater. So amazing. I'm still in awe.

I really need to catch this in IMAX!

Loved it, did more then I expected and gave me everything I wanted. Dent was heart breaking, the joker menacing, and I actaully cared about the Rachel Dawes character, also seeing the scarecrow again was totally awesome.

This film basically cemented that I am deff. getting that batman tatto I want. 

Not sure if they should do a 3rd though, cause 3rds are either awful or "okay" and I don't want "okay" from batman. But we'll see. To early to tell, glad that Batman is getting so much love 

@Conor - Yes you do!  I saw it Wed for a screening on IMAX.  It is spectacular!  They say "Experience it on IMAX" and that is SO true.  The movie at the regular theater is one thing, but seeing The Dark Knight on IMAX is an EXPERIENCE.  Unfortunately, IMAX is sold out in Pittsburgh until Monday.

I'll just post what I did on Twitter just now about it to sum up my feelings:

Watched Dark Knight. Honestly? Meh. It had like 3 endings. And who put peanut butter in the Joker's mouth? And Batman needs a lozenge.

Well, that's two "meh" or "mediocre" reviews on the site.  Me?  I'm with the majority, this was great.  I don't want all my superhero movies like this; Conor was right, it's more like a cop film.  I want Captain America more like Iron Man and Thor like something we've never seen before... which is how I think of The Dark Knight.

Looking forward to Watchmen. 

Wow what a great movie and perfect comic book movie. An epic 2 1/2 hour that did not feel like 2 and half hours.

One complaint there were way too many kids at the theater…  it is PG-13 for a reason people. Do Not Take your terrified of the joker and screaming 3-year-old back into the theater so you can watch the end of the movie!!!!!!

Grrrrr!!! 

It was a good movie, but Christian Bale's voice when he is the Batman completely ruins it for me.

And Ledger as the Joker is good, definitely shows the crazy, but the constant lip smacking is just ridiculous.  It doesn't make him seem more crazy, it makes him seem like he has cotton mouth.

And it was too long.

I don't know, I just enjoyed Iron Man and Hellboy 2 better.  All the hype around Ledger/DK was unwarranted.  If he was still alive, it wouldn't be nearly as big a deal.

I loved this film. Not only was it a great superhero movie but it was a great Batman story. Usually the good comic book movies tend to get the basics of the characters right, throw some action in and a forced love interest. Usually I leave the theater just happy if came within fifty yards of great stories we read in comics. The Spiderman movies are good but they didn't come close to "The Death of Gwen Stacy." or "Spiderman Blue". X-men 2 was great but it was no "Dark Phoenix Saga."

 The Dark Knight stands with the best Batman stories. It ranks up there with Killing Joke, Year One, & DKR. When someone asks me for a definitive Batman story, I'll happily recommend this film.

It was sooooooo good. The tension did not let up throughout the movie.

The only minor issue I had was I thought Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance didn't stack up against the the rest of the cast . Bale, Eckhart, Ledger, Oldman, Freeman, Cain...fantastic.

I had no problem with the Batman voice cause I would hate it if Bale didn't change his voice between Wayne and Batman

Watching it again on Tuesday.

Almost flawless.  The best film I've seen since The Usual Suspects, Heat or Se7en.  I loved the twists and the cast/performances were unprecedented.  Sorry, Marvel, but you'll never clear the bar this film set....and that's OK.  Keep doing your popcorn-stuffers and leave the heavy-lifting for the icons.  X-Men 2 is now the 2nd-best film (and Iron Man the 3rd) in this genre, but its light-years behind The Dark Knight. 

All hail Christopher Nolan, and thank you DC for not f***ing with this film.

Bale's voice and Ledger's lip smacking are some of my favorite things about the movie.

That was the best film I've ever seen. Thank fuck I saw it on the IMAX, it was entirely immersive and overwhelming, totally worth lining up with 10,000 insane dickheads trying to get my seat. Now I want to see it again on a regular screen so that I can actually watch it without feeling like I'm going to shit my self with the intensity of it all. It was so good that I cried practically the whole way through. It was so good that I had to buy a new powerbook on the way home so that the rest of my life wouldn't pale into insignificance in the face of so much perfection.

Now is the time to stop talking about "comic book films" and just talk about films. There's no separation anymore, no excuses for mediocrity. This beat out any film in any genre. 

**SPOILER-Y**

That script was so tight, I wish I could go through the experience of watching it for the first time all over again just to relive that sense of suspense for 2 1/2 hours straight.  I love how all the main characters have to compromise their ethics in one way or another so that the two groups on the ferries do not.  It was almost like a greek tragedy in a lot of respects with the Gods choices effecting the bystanders.  Even Lucious had to compromise his integrity by the end of the film.  I don't know if Ledger will get the much deserved Oscar recognition but I sense this script is gonna get nominated as one of the best screenplays of the year.  

Saw it Friday before work and it put me in a weird mood the entire night.

Ledger was *amazing*.  He was really the best part of the film.

Good to know I'm not the only one who noticed the Jonah Hex-ness of Two-Face.

The Joker was the movie. Heath Ledger re-created the Joker. 

Just got back from seeing it.  Ledger should get an oscar nomination.  If fucking Johnny Depp playing a gay pirate can get one then so does Ledger regardless of his passing. The first time I saw him I saw Ledger but as the movie progressed I saw the Joker not the guy playing him and not a lot of actors make you forget them and make you see the character (Leonardo DiCaprio I'm looking at you *overrated!*).  This movie was like a rollercoaster, just when you thought it was over it jerks you in another direction.  I thought Two-Face was a lock for a third movie but the way it ended I'm wondering who will be the villian in the sequel. Please be the Riddler, I fucking hate Jim Carrey.

This movie deserves Best Picture buzz.  When you guys do the review podcast I hope Ron takes off his Marvel hat long enough to give credit where credit is due.  This movie killed Iron Man, Spider-man 1 & 2 and any other movie people think is better.

@thebouv- My enjoying of Ledger's performance has nothing to do with his death.  I enjoyed because he did a magnificient job.  Hands down he has done the best villian performance for any of these movies which is hard for me to say because I love Jack Nicholson's Joker.

@JumpingJupiter-Where's the Catwoman reference? I must have missed it.

THE DARK KNIGHT is the new opening weekend champion.

1. The Dark Knight - $155,340,000 (early estimate)

2. Spider-Man 3 - $151,116,516

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - $135,634,554

4. Spider-Man - $114,844,116

5. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith - $108,435,841

Wow! This blew my guess by a good 30 mill.

Gotham Central to prime time tv. Come on! Make it happen.

The FACE-OFF: 

It's not really polite to insist that something is "the best ever" just because you feel so. It's much more considerate to state that it's "my favorite movie ever".  Because when you say it's the best you're saying a lot of other films aren't. And who knows how you'll feel six months from now walking out of the theater having just seen "The Watchmen".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FACE time: 

I had to see this film a second time. When I considered doing so I began to think of what the last film I had to see twice was. The first one that came to mind was Ep. 2 - The Clone Wars. Who could resist seeing Yoda in action just once more before the long wait to DVD? I couldn't.

On my way to the theater I remembered though, what movie it was I last saw twice in the theater.. Transformers! Not because it was great (as much as I wanted it to be "my favorite movie ever", it was not), but because I hardly knew what I'd seen the first time. That's almost what happened with TDK because of Heath Ledger.

There are a number of people here who don't want to be mislabeled as anything other than a true fan, as one who was only interested because of Heath Ledger's death. In my defense (and I say this because I'm not that big a fan of the first movie) I was interested in the Joker's role the minute the last film ended. And when I saw some of those first on-scene photos of Ledger in makeup, "before" his death, I was sold. 

So I nearly missed the movie that some people claimed to be the best ever because all I could do was pray for Ledger to hit the screen, and when he did, pray the scene would never end. Some actors in role are just going to do that, and more often than not, those films featuring said actor, will often be held as "best movie ever":

IMO - Al Pacino - Scarface/ Marlon Brando - Apocalypse Now/ Daniel Day Lewis - Gangs of New York/ Jack Nicholson - The Shining/ Brad Pitt - Snatch/ Anthony Hopkins - Silence of the Lambs/ and now Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight.

So clearly, The Dark Knight can be listed as "one of the best movies ever", but can any film that features a grown man running around dressed up like a bat be considered the best movie ever? It can, by you. And now, thanx to Ledger's performance, you have some ground to stand on.

----------------------------------------------------------------

FACE it:

Maggie Gyllenhaal borrowed Katie Holmes cheeks for this role.

Eckhart was great as Harvey Dent, not so much as Two-Face.

Bale was charming AND his bat voice was funny.

Nobody wants to sit up on anyone else once they've arrived early enough to get good seats. There are always awkward seats vacant between two groups of people. They're perfect if you go alone.

This film felt a lot more Chicago than the last one. Maybe it was the inclusion of the monorail that set the first film's city apart?

Deebo had to make the call on the prisoners' ferry.

The first Geico commercial featuring the cavemen was funny (i.e. the dinner scene, "i don't have much of an appetite, thank you"). Now the series has just gotten weird, so weird I almost like it: Jazz hands.

Wayne let Lucious play God. It was his third time doing so.

----------------------------------

SLAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!

Aside from the ridiculous blue sonar eyes i thought this movie was just about as good as it gets.

I saw it in IMAX and I'm going to Seattle again tomorrow to see it again.  I love love loved it. 

@Conor - I'm still avoiding this thread as I don't get to see it until Thursday, but skipped to the end to see if this podcast also had the 'host is down' message, then glimpsed your box office message...

Holy crap! $155m? Is that of all time, or just a certain weekend or however-many-days opening? I thought it would open over 100 but that's incredible!

Is that just domestic so far, or is it only certain countries (like the bloody UK) that get it this weekend?

Wow, congrats Mr Nolan!

@leland22- What would you rather have, blue sonar eyes or bat nipples?  Personally I'll take blue sonar eyes.

I think there's a few possible villains left

Black Mask

The Reaper or The Phantasm

Bane

Talia or Nyssa or both

Poison Ivy

Deadshot

I'm sure there's more I forgot.

Normally I would think the bringing back a villain you thought was dead thing would be way too cheesy.  But in this case I think it would be the only way they could top this movie.  It would be awesome to have Eckhart back as Two-Face for the third.  His performance in The Dark Knight was damn good, but obviously he's getting over looked.

I also think the the latest incarnation of The Penguin as crime boss probably fits best in Nolan's world.  So I think he's prime choice for number 3.  

With all the hyperboles and well deserved praise being tossed about, I congratulate the three of you for being unique and bringing in a "Jurassic Park 3" connection to "The Dark Knight."

Josh's comment should go on every DVD cover.

As for the next villian, I'm holding out for King Tut, Egghead, Book Worm, or the greatest Batman enemy there is...The Schumacher. 

I'd kind of like to see a 'No Man's Land' scenario as a basis for the next film.  When Gotham's cut off from the rest of the world, how does outlaw Batman work in that kind of environment?  You could still integrate some villains into it, but make the point be Gotham's struggle for its own survival.

This is what Daredevil had the potential of being instead of the stinking pile of cow poop it was. Just think what Mike Nolan could do with Typhoid Mary, Bullseye, Fisk and company. That being said, KUDOS to Nolan for showing the Dark Knight and all of his mythos the respect it deserves and bringing the true spirit of what comics can be in all of their greatness, suspense and gravity to the  silver screen.

@scseeling   Dammit, you now have me fantasizing about a Daredevil reboot, which unfortunately will never happen.  That franchise basically had one shot, and they blew it -- unless, possibly, they can get Frank Miller to do the film; and that's assuming 'The Spirit' is actually good.

wow good call scseelig, if anyone could make an awesome DD movie it would be the Nolans. 

@scott-Best villian ever...The Shumacher.  LMFAO

They are now reporting $158.3 mill is the final tally for opening weekend.

Just speculation, but.. I'm confident Harvey survived the fall. Bats and the Commish never really say he's dead, there's no casket at his memorial and, most importantly, Bats is shown falling from the same height and not only surviving, but running away from the scene. Expect to see him in part three.

I've changed my mind, Eckhart is great as Two-Face. It's just harder for me to take him seriously with his half-robot face.

It makes sense for Bruce to pull out a different voice as Batman so no one recognizes him but it always seemed he wouldn't interact with people who might interact with Batman while he was Bruce. I guess what I'm saying is, "if nobody can recognize Clark Kent as Superman because he's got a pair of glasses on, then it hardly seems necessary for coweled-Bruce to have to take his act any further."

INTRODUCE A LITTLE ANARCHY! 

I don't think the Joker has to end with Ledger either. There seem to be a number of actors who excel at acting crazy (i just watched DD again and couldn't help but enjoy Colin Farel as Bullseye). It has to be someone who doesn't act too much like Ledger though. If anyone can do it it'd be Brad Pitt. Bring a little Fight Club meets 12 Monkeys meets Kalifornia meets Snatch and you just might have yourself another Joker, or maybe, The Riddler.

"You're crazy."

"No. I'm not."

@Conor and Josh.  Bale is signed on for a third movie so to think there will not be one is almost silly.  Nolan has hinted he's seen this as a trilogy and has hinted about his return. 

Certainly this is an epic and features an amazing war both in theme, action, and ideas.

Yet, the third film can be a reconstruction and a rebirth of Batman, Gordon, the police force, and Gotham.  Allow me to use this allusion of sorts, and just go with me.

The first one shows the factors that make the war and begin it.  Part 2 is the war itself.  Part 3 is the reconstruction.  You are not making a movie to top or compare to this as much as you are to extend the story, and I can think of several ways that a quiet reconstruction can work and what enemies can challenge Batman in a unique way within the context of the story.

Scarlett Johansson as Harley Quinn would be yummy. Plus, she has worked with Nolan before.

I get this whole Empire Strikes Back vibe with the Dark Knight, so it feels like a mid-act to me. No question that Nolan/Bale will be back for one more.

did anyone else find the crowd's rabbling at the press conference funny?

@FACE - There's no way in hell they are going to recast The Joker for this trilogy.  It is too tied up in the legacy of Ledger.

@conor - just trying to say that i think it "could" be done, not so much that they will. i stand my ground on the riddler. he'd make a great contemporary character with some updates. 

I wanted to write a well-thought-out review of this movie because 1) I'm a huge comic book fan, and 2) everyone is already discussing the film. Overall, I loved the movie. It was a fantastic movie in almost every way, and will most certainly get consideration for all the major movie awards. Whether you read comic books, tabloids, tech manuals or classic literature, you are like to really enjoy this movie. When you leave, you are exhausted because the tension and drama have forced you through a roller-coaster ride of emotions. This is the trademark of the greatest movies of all time. Also, it's nice to see a movie that doesn't spoon-feed us with an origin story of the Joker, but instead gives us a crystal clear impression of the enemy against which Batman has no defense - dogs.

My biggest issue with this movie is not in the acting (which was flawless), the production, screenwriting, cinematography or costumes, but with the writing (oh, and the musical score was less than inspiring). I'm not completely sure the blame lay with the writers, but I'll make my complaint clear enough. That Wasn't Batman. Cape-check, cowl-check, gravellike voice-check, World's Greatest Detective... that part was severely lacking. Okay, while I have to admit that The Dark Knight was an amazing movie and that it may make a genuine Oscar run, the comic book nerd in me is simply too much of a purist to see Batman as just another superhero. The great thing about Batman has always been his mind. Sure, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner and Reed Richards are all geniuses, but none of them are criminologists. From his motivation for a war on crime (parents' murder) to his powers (regular human trained to physical perfection) to his weapons/tools (custom-mase devices and vehicles made by his own talent and inginuity), Batman is the perfect comic book character in every way. In this movie, however, we get a guy who is so rich that he can buy everything he needs to be a superhero. I never really bought into Bruce Wayne's turmoil between his need to be Batman and the positive future that Harvey Dent represents, nor did I see considerable evidence in an internal battle between Batman's rage and his moral code that kept him from going over the edge. Just a lost opportunity to rub out the Joker turned into a waste of a perfectly good Batcycle (personally, I prefer Tim Burton's entrance and exit of the Batwing). Batman has never been a really good "team" guy, but is best when he has the personal mentoring of Alfred. With so many stars in this film, it's easy to pine for the days of Jack Palance ("Your life won't be worth SPIT!").

The Joker, on the other hand, was simply the most evil, twisted and believable super-villian since Hannibal Lecter, and I believe the two of them may share the crown for many years to come. I was impressed with the theme of the Joker turning Gotham's "white knight" into a completely broken-down psycho. Unfortunately, Aaron Eckhart was as lousy a Two-Face as he was wonderful a Harvey Dent. He became completely dependent on the flip of his coin and we didn't really see his personality split as much as the comic book character. Normally, the scene in the hospital with Harvey Dent with the Joker's long exposition would come off as rant-like and cause a horrible break in the action, but it went off beautifully and kept me on the edge of my seat as much as any of the action sequences. Even with the mostly-great performances by these actors, the core themes were too apparent on the movie's surface for even children to grasp, not poised to be discussed and revealed as in "No Country for Old Men".

The scene with the bomb-laden ferries, in my opinion, didn't quite represent the true Gotham populace. It was an amazing scene without a doubt; one that fills one with pride in regard to the decent nature of humanity. There's a reason, however, that this town has a Batman and not a blue-clad flying boy scout. Gotham City is a bad place and filled with a lot of bad people, and those who fall outside that definition are filled with dread, hopelessness and dreams of living someplace sunnier. In TIm Burton's Batman, people like "Detective Eckhart" (no, not Aaron) would be first in line to snatch that detonator and save their own skins. This is no more self-evident by the crazed individuals who rush to pull the trigger to kill the accountant who would reveal Batman's secret identity. But perhaps the criminals on the ferry had a moment of mercy, or just maybe they wanted to mass murder on their own terms, without their hand being forced by the Joker. Gordon himself gets it right at the end when he says that Batman is the hero Gotham deserves, because they aren't ready to do their own dirty work.

In a nutshell, this was a fantastic movie. In every way, this may very well go down in history as the greatest Batman movie of all time. I seriously doubt I'll ever watch it again, but I can't argue with that sentiment. I will, however, get out my Batman or Batman Returns dvds without anyone twisting my arm.

On a side note, I was very pleased to see Tiny "Zeus" Lister scripted as a hard-as-nails, tough guy criminal who commits the most selfless act possible. Oh, and I was glad to see Rachel go "boom", cuz I couldn't stand looking at Maggie Gillenhal (sp?) for another minute longer.

Ok, I hate to spoil the gushing... and I was little guilty of it, too.  But, the more I think about what I saw a few days ago the more I'm growing a little tired of the rave reviews... it's a good flick, but it is still missing some things.

#1.  Batman is a detective.  There is very little detective work in the film.  Bats headed to China is not detective work... it's James Bond gadgetery.

#2.  It's too long... trim 15 minutes or so and it would sit better.

#3.  Sonic vision.  Lame.

#4.  Batman's voice, the costume and the car.  Hated it in Begins, still hate it.

#5.  No half of a purple suit for Two Face.

@JD - All those things you hated I absolutely loved.  As for #1 - he did more detecting in this movie than in all others combined.

I concur Connor. Detective work is what allowed Batman to pinpoint Joker's position.

@JD-Again I'll say it, sonic vision or bat nipples dude.  I was'nt a fan of it but it was'nt as bad as people are making it out to be.  It was such a minor detail and for people to be making a mountain out of a mole hill shows this movie was nearly flawless.

true that.

Okay, I'm on vacation now but I was FINALLY able to see this film.....I fucking loved it! God, I dont wanna sound like a gushing nerd but....damn this was a great film! It brings all other comic book films to shame (well maybe not Iron Man) and even make Begins look like a practice test of a film.

Positives:

Joker-What a fantastic performance by Ledger. I wont be all preachy cause he's dead, but he does deserve an oscar. What others failed to make the Joker a scary villian before, Ledger was able to do here. I knew he was going to be great from the 'disappearing pencil trick' at the beginning. He just got more insane as the film went on and it's because of the fantastic writing and preperation Ledger did in order to be in this role. Shame how he went out of our lifes....cause if there is a third film, it's gonna be hard to top an oscar nominated performance.

Harvey Dent- Another great performance by Eckhart, he did fantastic as both Dent and Two-Face. I dont know why some people werent liking him as Two-Face, I thought he did pretty good. He didnt flip his coin again to get better results (like Batman Forever), he had a very insane side to his mission, and overall he was very menacing.

Acting-Everyone else did a great job with their roles, whether it was Caine, Freeman, Bale, Oldman, and any other actor who had a role in here.

Pretty much this film made me believe that comic book films are here to stay. If people could just take the time and effort like Nolan has with these two Bats films, then any comic films would be fantastic....Shame the next comic book film is Punisher. -_-;

Oh and the only two bad things I hate was Rachel and Bale's voice as Bats (again). Sorry but Rachel in this film was pointless and should've like moved or died after the first film. Plus that chain smoking voice for Batman is just too fucking annoying. The last scene with Batman and Two-face sounded like two old ladies talking. Not saying Eckhart was bad voicing two-face, just it looked stupid as a final scene between the two. If he's complaining about moving better in his suit, then the third film should have someone complain about that voice.

On my 2nd viewing I felt that a lot of the things that I saw as flaws were not that big a deal. The first time I saw it, it was a midnight-thirty show, and that was just too damn late. I was awake, but I wasn't appreciating a lot of it. The 2nd time around the length, the cell-phone sonar, the voice... none of it seemed as glaring. Also, the ferry scene - which seemed a bit hackneyed the first time to me - had a good payoff, which was nice to see. I missed that the first time through, as well as the whole ending, because of technical malfunctions at the theater.

I think the buildup was better than the payoff, but I'm fine with that. Gordon was so so good. And Fox. And Alfred too. And Dent. Even the throw-away Ramirez was good enough that I though for awhile that it was Montoya. An excellent cast.

What surprised me the most about The Joker is that he was funny and scary at the same time. There were moments in this movie when I laughed and I was almost embarrassed to be laughing because it's so inappropriate. Like laughing in a church. But that's what the Joker's going for, right?

Also, the Joker is such a good, good liar. He lied to Batman so he would save the wrong person. He lied to Two-Face that it wasn't him (that was Joker's plan, even if Martoni's people carried it out), his finale was a big lie with the hostages switched out. He was so good at being evil.

Oh! The 340th thing this movie got right: the Henchmen Question. The Joker builds up his gang by preying on the mentally ill homeless. I thought that was a prosaic, plausible stroke of genius.

Something that impresses me the more I think about the movie: everything that I didn't get upon the first (sleepy) viewing turned out to make sense.  What's with the dogs being set up as Batman's big weakness? I asked at first.  They represent the Joker, an unpredictable entity not bound by human reason.  Why did Batman call out "Rachael" to Gordon, and then go save Harvey instead?  The Joker was lying because he wanted him to save Dent and feel awful about it. 

Actually, there was one thing that still doesn't make sense: Batman found a thumb print on a reconstructed bullet, which is pretty damn odd already.  It had three partial matches, one of which was along the funeral parade route.  And the Joker knew that he would figure out which apartment to go to, and that he would get to the window of that apartment just as the alarm clock was going off? 

Suspension of disbelief: thunk.

good point flagg.

how about these two scenes:

(1) The raid on Joker when he burns the cash. I understand the concern for the hospital patients' safety, but to abandon their chance to seize the Joker all together at the time. thunk.

(2) When Joker's left in the interrogation room instigating the officer, he comes over to rough him up (i guess). The next time we see the two Joker's got him held hostage with a knife at his throat. thunk

there's a part of me that allows these scenes to make sense, another that's just like " wha huh?"

"LOOK AT ME! If you're not Batman, then why do you dress up like him?!"

"cuz he reminds us that we don't have to be scared of scum like you.."

"Yeah you do."

Hmm.  I think the "knife" he was holding to the cop's throat was a piece of broken two-way mirror from when Batman pounded his head against it. 

 I don't remember where Joker was when he burned the cash, and I definitely don't remember a raid that allowed for the chance to seize him.  Anyone else?

if we're pointing out things that don't make sense there is restricted airspace in every major city on the planet especially Hong Kong so a non-commerical aircraft would never have been able to do the sky-hook that close to the buildings without some kind of military responce.  But that's easy to let slide seeing as how great the scene was. 

do you remember Maroni (?) telling Gordon that there was too much pain after he'd seen deformed Harvey? he tells him where he can find The Joker that afternoon. down on the docks, apparently. The police force head down there and then receive the call about the hospital threat. guess Joker has it all planned out. I'm not saying its unacceptable, just odd.

regarding the knife: looked like a knife to me. likely it was one they had taken from him upon booking. just seemed stupid that they left one officer to guard the Joker and noone to cover his back.

@Kimbo - yeah, they were flying a little low across the Hong Kong skyline to go un-noticed. 

Am I the only one who saw the scene when they're pulling out all the knives out of the Joker's person and thought "Is that last one... a potato peeler?"  Heh.

The rabble from the press conference crowd'd like to make me die laughing.

"Things are worse than EBER!" - that one's so funny. whoever says it is off-screen. might be the cop who follows it up with, "no more dead cops!"

and then - "He (Batman)