THE. DARK. KNIGHT.

Okay, I am DOG tired. I went to see an opening showing of The Dark Knight this morning at 12:01 am, and with previews, the two-and-a-half hour film kept me up until 3:30. I would have slept in, but being a good Bat-dad to three little ones, and having to go to work this morning, I did my due diligence and got up.

Let me tell you, all the positively glowing reviews of this movie are true. Chris Nolan has created an epic crime drama, set in a near-reality inspired by a comic book character, and he does so with deft expertise like I have never before seen. I thought Batman Begins was outstanding, but compared to its younger sibling, it is a simplistic, straightforward introduction and little more.

The Dark Knight is sophisticated in its storytelling, with plot twists peppered throughout, and this remarkable tension that is maintained with almost no interruption from beginning to end. Every member of the cast does an excellent job, but the truth is, even if he were still alive, I'd be singing Heath Ledger's praises from morning 'til night. The man simply disappears into his character, and though you might search for him during the entire duration of the film, you will be hard pressed to find the tragically deceased young actor underneath that makeup.

So, 'nuff said. The Dark Knight? See it. I'm going to... again!