Great performances! The actors (especially Ledger) is what made the movie, for me. For someone like me who doesn't go to the movies often, due to 2 small children, and for someone like me who hasn't kept up with all the "Batman" comics or books, this movie definitely took me off guard. The tone of the movie was serious (versus your average superhero movie), and therefore the violence was a bit too much for me. Not to mention the volume!!! I would, however, recommend this movie to friends, as long as giving them the heads-up.