I can't believe what a disappointment this film is. Like everyone else, I too had very high expectations for this movie. I'm far from a movie snob. The only thing I expect from a big summer action flick like this is to be entertained--and I wasn't. I've very much enjoyed Batman Begins--in fact I own the DVD and enjoy re-watching it not infrequently. As I watched the Dark Knight, I felt like I was just waiting for the really good stuff to come that never actually did. The whole thing is full of story lines that go nowhere, unoriginal and uninspired action sequences that never deliver. The Joker is inexplicably indestructible, Batman is practically a bit part and the techno-gizmos are patently absurd. The only reason I'm giving this as high as a 3 is because of Ledger's performance, which was good but far from the pinnacle of acting that you'd expect from the hype. The success and acclaim this incoherent snore-fest has garnered just go to show how effective buzz and hype can be. Bottom line, this is truly a case of the Emporer's New Clothes 2008 edition.