The best superhero movie since the original Batman

Rating: 9/10 (15 June 2005)

I have to admit that I always thought of Batman as my favourite comic book character. In his darker variations (which this movie is based on) his frailty, both physically and mentally, made him a far more tangible than say Superman or Wolverine. But apart for the great hero (and the many fantastic villains) what makes Batman truly special is its setting. Gotham City conjures all kinds of vivid imagery and seems to inspire some of the best stories ever to grace the comics pages. Like many others I absolutely love the first Tim Burton Batman and loathe pretty much everything after that so I was delighted to hear that the latest installment would start on a clean sheet with new actors, a new crew but mostly a new direction. I had a good feeling about this and I wasn't disappointed.
So why is this film so successful then? Firstly, the cast is ridiculously good. It's not good as in the cast in Ocean's 11 was good (i.e. star-filled), it's good as in they're all top actors that all manage to work together and within the story brilliantly. The script and dialogue is sharp and the dry wit keeps makes sure it never takes itself too seriously. The visuals look stunning and solid, gloriously lacking in CGI everything feels real, stunts, Batmobile, sets, everything. The story is not what you'd expect from a superhero movie with far more time spent on developing the characters as well as the myth that is Batman. Seeing Bruce Wayne before he becomes the dark knight could have been tedious but the director (Nolan) manages to keep the audience immersed. This film has a few things in common with Revenge of the Sith (dude becomes legend) but handles the whole subject far more successfully and without every resorting to blatant reminders and metaphors. It's subtle and if you pay attention the movie gives you a couple of winks here and there, things the people say, the imagery, etc... While you don't see the caped crusader for nearly the first half of the movie you never forget this is the real deal and, more importantly, never think "get on with it, I want Batman!" If I had to find one weak spot in the film is the occasional odd looking face that Christian Bale pulls when in the batsuit. I noticed that on one or two occasions he looks somewhat uncomfortable but to be honest I just mention that not to sound like the press release for the movie.
So all in all a great achievement that easily matches Tim Burton's first Batman. Joel Schummacher showed us how wrong an adaptation could go (Batman & Robin) but thankfully Christopher Nolan has managed to resuscitate the series. My rating? I would have sat through it again if I could have.