Contender Profile: The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight
Directed by Christopher Nolan



Broad Appeal: 94
Perceived Quality: 82





Mini-Review: Yeah, it's the best comic book film ever, but it's more. It's the movie event of the year, and one of the best reviewed and with the most buzzed performance. Less pulpy and more substantive than Batman Begins, this is a rather sober meditation on authority, society, and terrorism wrapped into a satisfying action formula. It's not the best film of the year, but you have to admire its ability to probe and entertain at the same time.



Awards Chances: It's more than a dark horse for Best Picture, this film is simply too big to ignore. Add to this the record box office returns, the emotional support for Ledger, and the fact that several contenders have deferred to next year or foundered with critics and a best picture nomination seems more likely than unlikely. Ledger appears to be a lock for Supporting Actor, and look for a slew of technical nominations even if TDK misses the best picture nomination.