152 minutes

In theaters July 18, 2008

Rating: PG-13, Thriller

The Dark Knight is darker than dark. It's also terrific.

It's the somber, reflective sequel to 2005's Batman Begins, which was itself a splendid reinvention of the Batman franchise. But TDK does a lot more than just pick up where BB left off. It lifts it right up off its generic pedestal. This isn't just a superior summer epic, this is a great crime drama.