I absolutely concur with your sentiments.
The Dark Knight is about the only film incarnation that tops this particular film in terms of the type of dark Batman fans have wanted to see for years.
This film cemented Mark Hamill’s Joker as the quintessential Clown Prince of Crime. So much so that almost every animated and video game incarnation of the villain has been voiced by Hamill. Not to mention Kevin Conroy’s Batman voice slays any and all who ever portrayed him on film - including Bale and Keaton.
The main problem with this film is that it is too short. Had it been allowed a full 90 minutes, or even two hours, if would have done better.