Casey Phillips: Wow. Since I first saw “The Dark Knight” trailer last year, I assumed it was going to be a phenomenal follow-up to “Batman Begins,” which was arguably the best comic-book movie ever (sorry “Spider-Man” fans, but it’s true). Writer/director/producer Christopher Nolan’s first foray into Gotham City in 2005 was the most refreshing take on the series since Michael Keaton donned the suit in the 1989 original. Still, “Dark Knight” manages to surpass it in every way, from casting (goodbye Katie Holmes, thanks for playing) to a deeper, darker script; which, by showcasing the characters’ struggle with personal guilt and a sense of responsibility, defies the assumption that comic-book movies are shallow. Comic-book fans rejoice.

Holly Leber: I echo your “wow.” It’s not often that I walk out of a movie theater feeling dazed, but “Dark Knight” definitely left me a bit breathless. The film was on the long side but beautifully shot, with Chicago (my former stomping grounds) standing in for Gotham City. And “Dark” is certainly true — the movie is filmed in lots of blacks and blues for a moody, mysterious feeling.

Of course, the topic on everyone’s grotesquely twisted lips is the performance of the late Heath Ledger as the Joker and whether it will merit a posthumous Oscar nomination. The performance is genuinely eerie (I’m glad I didn’t see the movie at night because sleep would have been hard to come by) and surpassed my expectations. The death of any young man is a tragedy, certainly, but “Dark Knight” is evidence of real artistic potential and versatility lost. I hope he is recognized.

Casey: I won’t say I’m positive Ledger is a cinch for the statue (it’s a bit early in the season for that), but he should definitely be in the running. Every aspect of his performance — from his manic, twitchy mannerisms to his convincingly disconcerting disregard for human life — is solid. I just wish they’d found a way to tie off the Joker plot’s loose ends since Ledger obviously won’t be able to return for the inevitable sequel.

Batman newcomer Aaron Eckhart’s performance as district attorney Harvey Dent was also choice. It’s interesting how Dent, Gotham’s “white knight in the spotlight,” is a foil for Batman; who, as the title suggests, can only do good from behind the scenes. Also, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, Wayne’s (and Dent’s) love interest, somehow manages to do more than look cross with Bruce Wayne/Batman every time she was on-screen. Now why didn’t Katie Holmes think of that?

Holly: I was thrilled when I heard Maggie Gyllenhaal was taking over for Katie Holmes. I’ve been a big fan of the versatile Gyllenhaal since her sympathetic masochist in “Secretary,” while Holmes has had little to offer since she lost her unassuming sweetness after the first season of “Dawson’s Creek.” Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox keep Bale’s Bruce Wayne grounded when the pressure of being Batman seems too great to bear.

In both “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” Nolan brings real gravity to the character and the film by doing the opposite of what Joel Schumacher did with the mid-’90s “Batman Forever” and “Batman and Robin” — he treats his incarnations as character-driven films rather than as camp, comic-book movies. Viewers of Nolan’s Batman movies will actually pay attention to Bruce Wayne’s inner turmoil and not Batman’s costume.

Casey: It was Michelle Pfeiffer in a cat suit that got my attention in the earlier films, but I get what you mean. “Knight” is certainly an excellent continuation of “Begins” more-realistic Batman, a hero who is, ultimately, just a man. On many occasions, Batman makes mistakes that he has to live with, and this film does an excellent job conveying the tormented, reluctant life he leads as a result. I can’t wait for round three.

Holly: It will definitely be interesting to see who shows up in the next Batman movie. There are some theories and suggestions floating around the Net, including speculation that one villain might have made an appearance in this film. The trouble with eagerly anticipating films is that they often don’t turn out to be as good as one might hope, but “The Dark Knight” does not disappoint.

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