The Dark Knight was everything I had hoped it would be as a follow up to Batman Returns. I am not into "hokey" like the old flicks. The only negative was Maggie Gyllenhaal. I really don't like her as an actor. Too frumpy for the role and totally unimpressive. The special effects were awesome and the lighting set the ominous tone. Heath Ledger? What can I say except he truly did an Oscar performance. So sad he cannot continue the legend.