Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker makes this film what it is.

With his scarlet red lipstick and slicked back hair, the Joker looks every part the crazed psychotic villain that movie goers want to see.

And Ledger's superb performance really gives the film it's dark and disturbing edge.

Click here to view The Dark Knight trailer
This isn't your usual Batman film, where the story and action is mainly focused on the hero and his attempts to fight the 'baddy', this is more about the Joker's story, and Ledger's final completed film really shows what an incredible actor he had become.

This is far better than the latest offerings from other superhero films like the Spiderman films, and the latest Superman.

The Dark Knight has an excellent script, a fantastic plot, a stella cast, and absolutely superb acting.

Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne, the businessman who moonlights as Batman, who sees an opportunity when ambitious district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) comes forward to challenge Gotham City's villainy legally.

Wayne then sees an opportunity to replace his vigilante persona with a 'real' hero in Harvey and in doing so reunite with Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) – the woman he loves and the only one who knows his secret.

But, as ever in Gotham City, there's a mad villain on the lose in the form of the Joker, who is one of the scariest villains purely because he has no plan, and no motive - he is a disturbing and dark baddy that seems to want nothing more than to challenge Batman and cause chaos just because he can.

A lot has been said about the 12A certificate the film has been given, and I feel I have to agree with the majority here - the film is a dark film and quite scary in parts, even for me, (who is now somewhat over the age of 12).

But that aside, it is an excellent film that could see Ledger winning a well-deserved posthumous oscar.

It will keep you entertained for the duration and a lovely dollop of humour from the Joker to make sure it isn't all dark doom and gloom.

A must-see.


Click here for The Dark Knight showtimes at Odeon Silverlink