I remember seeing the original batman with my freinds in high school, that was when movies were fun and an "event". This film was like nothing i'de seen before, it felt "real" with characters and a story, and it seemed more like it wanted to be a film than a punchline, speaking to the viewers with respect and integrety.
Ledger? I can't even express how powerful his performance was, i was quoting him all the way home, and that says something when someone like me relates more to the villian than the hero.
if they made more movies with this much integrity, honesty, story, and passion, the movie business would do much better.