In any social experiment there must be a choice to do right or wrong, a chance for redemption. Without that choice, the experiment is moot. In light of his personal tragedy, his parents having been killed in front of him as a child, Batman chose to devote himself to the pursuit of justice and defending the weak or defenseless. His mission was one that set an example for others who also believed in what he stood for.

"He's a symbol." --Brian (Andy Luther)

As solo a hero as Batman seems, he's hardly as much a loner as we like to believe. Team Batman consists of Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), head of Wayne Enterprises and provider of a lot of his technological toys; Harvey Dent, the face of justice in Gotham City; Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman), the police commissioner; Alfred Pennyworth, his faithful butler and the prophetic voice who speaks truth into Bruce Wayne's life; and Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), confidante and his personal hope for love and peace. Despite having many apostles, Jesus had his inner circle (for example, the ones he chose to witness his Transfiguration), and Batman's circle of Gordon and Dent set the backdrop psychology of why no one wants to give up on Harvey Dent.

They face a crisis of methods. This "last temptation of Batman" was to catch a vision of what he'd have to become to stop men like The Joker, tempted by the idea of changing their ways in order to successfully fight this new band of villain. Theirs were the ways of law and order but the question proffered by The Joker was how far they were willing to go to preserve what's right: to fight the good fight honorably, or become like The Joker, without rules. The Dark Knight was literally the dark night of the soul (or as Alfred calls it, "a lesson in perseverance") for Team Batman, but the fact that the night is darkest just before the dawn is lived in light of the hope that the dawn is coming.

"He can make the choice than no one else can. The right choice." --Alfred

Our response to life's trials is a choice. It is tempting to hold on to the anger and resentment that comes with life's betrayals, becoming like the bitter monster Harvey Dent does. But part of the forgiveness process is us venting our grief, frustration, and anger; only then can we continue with the healing/forgiveness process, letting go before we're poisoned or driven insane. A Christian response is moving toward reconciliation, a forgiving of our enemy. Grace doesn't preclude justice being done. Call evil deeds what they are: evil. We must protect the innocent. However, our actions must move toward redemption. And that was the model Batman chose to follow.

Jesus, the Christ, sets an example of revolutionary tactics in the face of madness: love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. He's the hero we deserve and need. While the Devil may think he won, the Hero does the unexpected. He sacrifices himself for something greater. Guided by his love for Gotham city and Justice, and forgiveness of Harvey Dent, Batman chose to sacrifice himself.

"For now, they're going to have to make due with you." --Alfred

Batman is more than a superhero and The Dark Knight is more than a comic book movie. Both transcend their initial conception and show the possibilities of what others of their ilk can be. There simply aren't enough superlatives for this movie. Intelligent, grown up, sophisticated, with a depth lacking from most movies, period, much less superhero flicks. Christopher Nolan's overlapping and multiple storylines create (tragic) characters we come to care about. The performances, the confident sense of direction, the technical production all combine for a truly great cinematic experience, no matter how you may feel about the spandex set

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