By Christopher Robinson, Jr.  Fox 5 Workstudy Student

Engaging, terrifying, thought-provoking… The Dark Knight is a motion picture that sets itself apart from the countless other Batman films.  When Warner Brothers entitled the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, they weren’t kidding around; the days of neon Gotham is over.  The themes presented in The Dark Knight, such as police corruption and personal conflict, allow the film to explore the more intimate and darker side of human nature.

In the very beginning of the film, Billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), is beginning to yearn for a more simple life that doesn’t involve his alter ego known to many as Batman.  Wayne’s inner conflict takes a lover’s triangle direction when Rachael Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) begins to have affections for Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), who is Gotham City’s new district attorney.  Dent is considered Gotham’s “white knight”, which play’s a critical part in Batman’s future, which is already encompassed by shadows and the unknown.  The lovers’ quarrel ends in a traumatic event that gives birth to the Batman villain known as Two-Face.

All of the above conflicts and character relationships are in some way intertwined with the theatrical, yet sinister, antics produced by The Joker, who is played by the late Heath Ledger.  Ledger brings the essence of terror and mayhem to The Joker character that has never been seen on the small screen nor on the silver screen.  In one scene that starts the epic climb toward the climax of The Dark Knight, Batman asks The Joker: “Why are you trying to kill me?”  The Joker’s response is simply this: “I don’t want to kill you.  What will I do without you?  You complete me.”  Words really can’t explain the emotions in this scene, but it can be noted that Ledger’s performance will give you chills!

Overall, The Dark Knight is filled with so many twists and turns that it will leave you questioning your on concept regarding what’s right and what’s wrong.  After all, there’s always two or more choices that an individual can embrace.  However…what happens when one choice bleeds into another, and becomes blurred?  The Dark Knight gives you multiple answers to this question.  But, will that person die becoming a hero or will they live long enough to become the villain?

* “The Dark Knight” earned a record $155.34 million in its first weekend, topping the previous best of $151.1 million for “Spider-Man 3” in May 2007 and pacing Hollywood to its biggest weekend ever, according to studio estimates Sunday. (Yahoo Entertainment & Gossip)