Christian Bale is back as Batman in ///The Dark Knight.''' (Courtesy photo)

By Bob Polunsky
Guest Columnist

“The Dark Knight” lights up the summer movie season with a new approach to Batman’s comic book adventures.

Christian Bale again stars as Batman and is one of the few returning cast members. He delivers the goods with his performance like he always does, but newcomer Heath Ledger dominates the show with a performance of the Joker that makes us forget Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson in past “Batman” movies.

The Joker is downright scary in this sequel to “Batman Begins.” He torments Batman with quips and quick thinking while charming the audience with a smooth performance that’s a worthy memorial to Ledger’s brief career. He died last January after completing “The Dark Knight.”

In keeping with the plot purpose of previous films, Batman does his best to eliminate crime in Gotham with the help of his old friend, Police Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman). Gordon’s new D.A., Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), rounds up the usual suspects for Gordon and becomes a thorn in Batman’s side when he flirts with Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhall). She’s supposed to be the girlfriend of Bruce Wayne (a.k.a. Batman), so theoretically she’s off-limits.  But the situation adds romantic rivalry and gives the characters more battles to fight.

Alfred (Michael Caine) is back on the job as Bruce Wayne’s loyal friend and the only person who knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman. But Robin, Batman’s most consistent sidekick, isn’t in “The Dark Knight,” and the movie is more of a thriller (and less like a comic book) without him.

Another weird villain, Two-Face, crops up to both help and hinder Batman’s attempt to clean up Gotham. He has helped and hindered Batman before but rarely with as much intensity.

Heath Ledger’s last performance as the Joker in ''The Dark Knight'' dominates the film. (Courtesy

Studio rating: PG-13
Bob says: “A knockout!” ***