This version of the Batman story was very well done and should satisfy readers of the comic books. The film drew a on Frank Miller's Batman portayals as well as other canonical sources.
Heath Ledger steals the film and would have done so without the hype surrounding his death. This version of the Joker is stunning and scary.
The only real drawbacks to the film were Bale's "Batman voice" (too deep and raspy), and the the constant references to Maggie Gylinhal's intense beauty.