Just when we all thought Iron Man set the standard for which all comic-book movies should follow, along comes The Dark Knight, the latest film in director Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise. Nolan ups the ante even more here, and proves to the world that a movie based on a comic-book does not always have to feel like one. This movie is more of a crime drama on the level of Heat or The Godfather Part 2, with heroes and villains from a comic-book franchise inserted in. If it really is going to be grouped into the comic-book genre, then it really has to be considered more on the level of a graphic novel.

The plot is extremely deep, complex and takes us to places we as an audience never would think a Batman film would go. Gotham City’s New District Attorney, Harvey Dent, played handsomely by Aaron Eckhart, has finally pushed the city back into control over the criminal underworld. Even though Batman has done much for the city in helping to stop crime, the people of Gotham City do not always trust a masked vigilante (one that dresses up like a Bat, at that). The Batman (Christian Bale) now thinks the time has come to hang up the Bat Suit and retire, handing the mantel over to Dent, a hero with a face Gotham City can clearly recognize and is, in Batman’s opinion, getting much more done to stop crime than he is.

But a new villain has emerged in a character we all know as the Joker, played ingeniously by the late Heath Ledger. The Joker addresses various mobsters who have been hiding from Dent’s regime that it is time they take the city back. In fact, the Joker suggests to Salvatore Maroni and his goons, the replacements for Falcone and his mobsters from the first film, that they kill Batman since he is the real reason Dent has been able to gain control. But the Joker merely wants to watch Batman, Gordon (Gary Oldman), Dent, and the rest of the city tear itself apart through manipulation and clever trickery that can make even the most good-natured people in this movie turn on each other. Unlike Salvatore Maroni who, like most criminals, commits crime for money, we now have a criminal who just wants to watch the world burn. Psychological manipulation is his money. A city torn apart by him is his way of gaining control.

This is an absolutely terrifying film, in that the Joker is a loose cannon here. He hasn’t a care in the world. All he wants to do is play. And Batman has to figure out a way to stop him. It is like trying to grab a hold of a starved shark with one’s bare hands in an open sea of possibilities. And this is the smartest, most clever shark in the world.

The action and special effects in this film are truly great sights to behold. What would a comic-book movie be without those things? However, a special effects or action-driven film is not what one should expect when walking into this film. This is a serious detective story, with heavy plotting and lots of dialogue, and none of it gets boring. It is constantly engaging trying to figure out what the Joker is going to do next, or even what Batman, James Gordon or Harvey Dent will do. How is one side going to outwit the other?

Much praise has to be given to the rest of the main cast in this film, especially Aaron Eckhart for playing Harvey Dent, the man who, in the comics, eventually becomes Two-Face. His story is one of heroism and tragedy, all engulfed into one film, and he plays the role so earnestly that when the crap hits the fan in his life, one cannot help but feel for him. He really is a tragic hero.

Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman return for this film to complete this ensemble cast that provides perfect balance and carries the weight of this movie to the highest peak. Maggie Gyllenhaal, replacing Katie Holms as Rachel Dawes, also brings new life to the series. Every actor gives their all in this film, and it shows. Combine that with the most elaborate, thought-provoking script ever penned for a comic-book franchise, we now have a film that will make any comic-book movie that follows seem lacking. Perhaps Iron Man should set the standard for making the most fun and entertaining comic-book movie one could possibly make. The Dark Knight, however, should be the standard for perfection.