OK, I have now seen this film twice and maybe the problem is all the hype it got. Both times I have seen it I have come away with the same thoughts and feelings.

This is a good movie, no doubt about that, dark, action packed, good supporting roles (especially Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Michael Caine). Cool toys and special effects make this fun to watch, and the good guys (for the most part) win in the end. Just the kind of film that is fun to watch in the summertime.

As for this being one of the greatest films ever, not IMHO. Heath Ledger is a good Joker, especially as this movie moves along and he has more interaction with Christian Bale's Batman. the farther into the movie it gets, the more evilly humorous he gets. For my money, I still prefer Jack Nicholson in that role, maybe it is the writing, but his lines are classic, while Ledger's lines are much less memorable (Why So Serious is pretty good). Ledger is much darker and more evil, but to me The Joker needs to have a little more humor to him.

Good movie, but I would take the 1989 version over this one (but that is like preferring a Mercedes over a BMW...you win with either one!