Whoa Baby

Rating: 9/10 (23 July 2005)

Okay, Katie Holmes looks like her eyes are going to slide off her face, but everything else in the movie was great. Who would have thought that Micheal Keaton would be supplanted as "the" Batman? Christian Bale was fantastic. He has the build, the brooding brow, the spark of mischief Batman seriously needed. Keaton had it all but the build. Casting is everything in a movie, and obviously they went all out on this one. From Gary Oldman(on the side of the light, this time)and Micheal Caine (who works in any movie and usually makes them better than they were before) to Liam Neeson and even a small part by Ken Watanebe who shined in "The Last Samurai", the cast truly made the movie. (Even Katie). And apparently Katie makes much better choices in work than her boyfriend. The plot was simple, yet elegant. We all know the story of Batman, where he came from, why he does what he does, and his backdrop, Gotham, and the crime within the city. We are given reasons for the crime, another good performance by Linus Roache (Riddick)as Bruce's father, and some great performances by the villains, especially Cillian Murphy as the Scarecrow. The plot is simple but seamless. There are beginnings and endings which flow smoothly. The action is great, the cinematography is excellent, with Gothom stark and dark at the same time. Truly a great experience of a long movie which could have been longer.