Some observations. Some spoilers...
Heath Ledger's performace was NOT overhyped just because he died. It really was that good. I think only Johnny Depp could step into the role in future installments.
Didn't like Maggie Gyllenhaal as, well, me. ;) I don't think I've ever liked anything she has done. Katie Holmes was much better.
Christian Bale. Wow. I've been on the look out for him since Empire of the Sun. He's amazing, and damn sexy. But unfortunately, no sex in this movie. meh. There was a noticeable lack of sexual chemistry/tension between Maggie and... anyone. Poor casting choice, IMHO. I mean, do they HAVE to pin all of that on ONE female character, who could turn out to be a dud? Can we have maybe two or three named female characters that play a role a little more interesting that clutching at her kids and crying? I just think there should be more balance to the force, that's all. Give me something to relate to. Someone for Batman to f...all in love with. (and that other thing too) I'm not being all feminazi or anything, I'm just saying.
SPOILER: I'm glad the people on the ferries did not launch pre-emptive attacks on eachother. But I'm not going to ruminate on the politics of the movie. Should just enjoy things once in awhile without injecting some great political statement or significance into them. Choices were a big theme in this movie, but it was interesting how the choices were false choices, this evil or that evil, when, like the people on the ferries, you could choose not to choose and no evil comes about. OK I'm done. Sorry.
What else? The effects were awesome. I loved the glowy eyed sonar bit. It looked kickass, and plus bats have, you know, sonar. And its cool when Batman figures out a way (semi-plausible even) to see everything through triangulating cellphones. Also cool that Morgan Freeman objected to that invasive power to spy. OK I'm DONE.
I really enjoy that this series of Batman has this element of plausibility. No superhuman powers, just lots and lots of money and his own R&D department. I don't think its better than the previous stylized, comic book type movies, just a different element that is also interesting.
Batman's gravelly whisper was a touch overdone.
Overall, a great great popcorn movie. A classic.