I am a huge Jack Nicholson fan...but Heath Ledger outdid him in the role of the joker. I'm not saying this to glorify him because he's passed away (God rest his soul) BUT because he gave the joker a whole new character, a new identity! He MADE the joker. The movie was a bit long, but definitely worth sitting through- I think they did right by not cutting anything out to shorten it. Every minute was good, packed with suspense, and action. Maggie Gyllenhaal did a great job picking up on Katies Holmes' role of Rachel- She actually gave that character a little more heart, if you ask me. Overall, it was a great film, don't take your kids to the theater to see it cause it's too long for a kid to sit still through. :) I love the Batman movies, all of them- but his one I have to say is now one of my favorites.