A thriller with a superhero

Rating: 9/10 (19 June 2005)

To be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to this movie - the promos looked dull and the memory of "Batman and Robin" still lingers... but what a pleasant surprise! This is not a traditional "superhero" movie. Rather, it plays like a character-driven thriller/adventure that just happens to be about a superhero.
I was surprised at how real and logical (within the context of the movie) they kept everything. There was a rawness to this movie that worked really well. And I'm completely on board with the two decisions that have drawn some criticism - the new Batmobile, and the raspy "Batman voice". This is not the cool, wisecracking, understated Batman of yore - this is a hurt, angry, driven guy whose motivation is crystal clear by the time he dons the batsuit. And for the first time, we have an ambiguous, frightening Batman. I can see why criminals would run from this creature.
A word about the cast - Christian Bale is an inspired choice, Michael Caine brings a much-needed dose of warmth and humor to the enterprise, and Morgan Freeman classes up pretty much anything he's in. Katie Holmes was miscast - would have preferred to see one of the L&O girls (Stephanie March?) in the role. Can't wait to see who they pick as the Joker for the sequel.