Of course, this review cannot be completed without mentioning the performance that is garnering all of the attention for this film. And make no mistake: Ledger's Joker is one of the greatest screen villains of the last few years, and I would even venture to say it is one of the greatest screen villains of all time. I was truly saddened as I watched the film that Ledger has since passed and we are not going to be blessed with further virtuoso performances from this brilliant actor. I was amazed by his work in Brokeback Mountain, but in all honesty his work in this film makes all of his previous roles pale in comparison. Ledger's Joker is not the silly, Prince-loving cornball that Jack Nicholson crafted in the original Batman film; he is a creepy, disturbing, sadistic terrorist, who grins and smiles like a sadistic hound from Hell. This is not a vaudeville act as a superhero villain; The Joker is a religious terrorist, and chaos and destruction is his religion. Every moment that he arrived on the screen, the filled-to-capacity theater was silent, in awe of a character that is nothing short of electrifying. I am aware that the track record for posthumous Academy Award victories is rather low, but if any deceased actor deserves the recognition, it is Ledger. I know it may seem impossible that any performance can be as legendary as critics are making this role to be, but make no mistake, it is all true.

I could not be more excited about the direction that superhero films have taken with this film. This isn't just a fun, entertaining film; it is a hellish masterpiece, with Ledger's Joker front and center as a cinematic Lucifer. If you have yet to see it, I implore you to occupy your local theater as soon as possible. For once, a summer movie has not only lived up to the hype, but it has exceeded even the most bold expectations.