It is extremely clever from start to finish. Minor issues hold it back very occasionally but there was a lot of thought, effort and ambition thrown into it. It also proves that you don't need graphic violence and language to make a great blockbuster.

It really doesn't, really unclever and poor lead

Bale is one of its shortcomings I agree. Thankfully we get a lot more characters thrown into the mix.

Agreed one of the best cinema experiences of my life 10/10. The movie would be even better if Bale was re cast.

there's nothing remotely clever about it. It's a hackjob from start to finish with contrivance after contrivance, heavy- handed themes, pretentions of being more than it is, and some truly cringe- inducing dialogue. Now all that could be forgiven, if it wasn't followed- up by the most cringe- inducing contrivance of all, which is the scary thug from the Ridin' Dirty video throwing the remote out the boat. That right there just throws out all it's pretentions of being a "badass, gritty crime- drama", and cuts it right down to size...

Didn't you give it a 6/10? Even if a 6 is negative to you, that's still not as bad as what you're describing. If I felt the same way you did about the film it'd get a 4 Max.

6 isn't negative. The film does have plenty of merit, it's just that when people call it "clever", and "deserving of all the praise it gets", I have to put it into perspective. It isn't a bad film, merely a mediocrity...

I guess it deserves its praise as a solid comic book movie, and it certainly proves that comic book movies can have real themes, although they're ham fisted here. I don't think it deserves to make any best of all time lists, but that's just me.

Heath Ledger's performance is a major cause for the high rating I think.

You take the Joker out and there is still a lot to admire though.

A+

It remains the most formidable of its genre, whatever label that is, & is on par with crime greats like Heat.

Honestly I couldn't tell you if it's really deserving of the praise or not, I'm too blinded by my unconditional love of it.