I actually had low expectations for this movie because it seems like you are disappointed by so many so-called "blockbuster" movies these days that are released wit hgreat fanfare, etc.
This is a really cool, highly entertaining movie. I wasn't bored for 1 second of the 2.5 hrs. Heath Ledger (so sorry he's gone ..) was incredibly good as Joker. The psychological terrorism reign he puts on Gotham is staggering in its complexity & comprehensiveness. Insane doesn't begin to describe The Joker as Ledger plays him.
Also the character development & relationships between the various principal players was highly developed and subtle. Great script that way ...
Anyway .. my wife & I really enjoyed it. It's one of those movies you go see to beat the heat (in Dallas in July !) and you come out feeling like you got terrific value for your $10 (at NorthPark, AMC, Dallas).