Great performances, involving plot and basic moral issues make the film a real winner. It is the best in the batman series at creating the dark atmosphere and the dark side of any moral crusade (or crusader). However, given what I suspect is post-production editing to increase Heath Ledger's screen time (to make him eligible for a Best Actor, rather than supporting actor, Oscar nomination?), there is less character development of the batman character than there was the previous installment.