While Ledger's performance may or may not be worthy of the posthumus Oscar, it was spectacular and haunting. Bale's torchered crusader is easily the best incarnation of the comic hero. The supporting cast is phenomonal. Aside from visually stunning sets, intense awe inspiring acting, superb musical scores, and clever and entertaining writing, the action was non stop and the 152 minutes left me wanting more, now! It is rare in todays overblown hype machine that a movie lives up to it's billing, this one did, and more.