I mention all of this because The Dark Knight is a bleak, dark film. As all of the characters tumble further and further into the madness provoked by the Joker, and have to confront everything they believe; it's hard to find any hope as events unfold. Even the ending isn't the usual feel-good ending one would expect from a super-hero, comic-book film.

However, the good news is that there is hope for all of us because of the fact that Jesus Christ is the Truth; the absolute, definable and knowable truth. That certainty, that unchanging reality can provide hope and give us something to cling to even in the most unstable and uncertain times of life. There is no such thing as complete relativism or a world completely without absolutes; and if there were, it would only be populated by mad-men like the Joker.

If all of that seems a little heady for a mere comic book movie to tackle, it is; but that's what sets The Dark Knight apart from other films of the genre. This is an epic crime drama, an investigation of two opposing world views and how they might play out in reality, and a character-driven drama that just so happens to star a man who dresses up in a bat suit and man who messily applies clown makeup to his face. Don't worry, though, there's plenty of action to help carry The Dark Knight along. All of the requisite battles and explosions and spectacular moments expected of a summer blockbuster are here. They're just executed with a higher degree of gravitas and care. They aren't in the film just to be exciting, but to serve the plot and help advance the story of the characters.

In fact, my initial impression was that The Dark Knight was less of a action/special effects bonanza than Iron Man, but then I realized I felt that way because all of the so called "blockbuster" moments were so well woven into the over all scheme of the film that they didn't stand out on their own, but served the film as a whole. A rare feat to encounter in the summer months and one of the reasons The Dark Knight is truly special.

[Warning: Minor Spoilers Below]

The cast is once again all-around excellent. All of the returning players once again perfectly embody their roles, from Christian Bale who seems more confident in playing both Bruce Wayne and Batman (although the "Bat voice" is still annoying and the only element that doesn't feel true to the character) to Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman, who both have less to do this time around but still help add some depth to the world of Batman. Gary Oldman once again proves to be the perfect choice for James Gordon, and his interactions with Bale as Batman feel like they were ripped straight from the comics. Nolan really seems to understand the special bond these two characters have and just how complex and tenuous it is.

Then there's Heath Ledger as the Joker. What can I say that hasn't already been written about this once-in-a-lifetime performance? All I'll say is, had I not known ahead of time that it was Heath Ledger underneath that makeup, I never would have recognized him. There isn't even a hint of Ledger in his portrayal of the Joker; a very special accomplishment for any actor.

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