Batman: Masterpiece? Are you a joker or just a critic afraid of being called "unhip" for saying anything negative. This is an entertaining comic book. Cardboard cutout characters thrown in there to flesh out the most spectacular special effects ever contrived that are matched to a plot that you better not think about. The combination make it an escapist haven for us morons. The late Heath Ledger plays a humorous psychopathic killer spouting one liners while slaughtering one and all both near and far not only dominates this movie (actually as the only character appearing as a weird clown he would have to dominate), it might be said that Ledger actually saves this movie from the the least attractive "love interest" ever put into a big budget movie. Nobody would want to schtup this dame. Dark Knight is the latest extreme development of Computer Graphics possible; the most spectacular chases, crashes, and outlandish mayhem one could possibly imagine all taking place while accompanied by the loudest sound track ever. I saw it in IMAX (well worth the $13 ticket price) and the effects were greatly enhanced, especially the real illusion of falling from heights and being slammed around in crashes.

All in all one hell of a ride. A lot of fun but "masterpieces" can be seen on TCM, and this ain't one.