amazing

Rating: 8/10 (20 June 2005)

By far the best Batman since the first one and it definitely rivals, if not surpasses it, as the best of the bunch. The fact Christopher Nolan makes Gotham look real and gritty instead out of a comic book makes most of the movie work. Bruce Wayne's mystery is exposed from the beginning and Christian Bale does a great job as the title role. Michael Caine as witty Alfred was good. Gary Oldman was extremely believable as Gordon and pulled it off nicely. Lucius Fox was my favorite character--Morgan Freeman had fun with his role---he knew something was up and he knew it was for good. Katie Holmes was serviceable---she wasn't horrible as everyone says BUT she was miscast. They could have found someone else to played Dawes--she still comes of as the Dawson's Creek girl, and now, the Cruise spouse. Cilian Murphy will continue to get noticed as a versatile actor and he did good as Scarecrow. Overall--great film, mostly fine acting and a Batman that's gritty and realistic...a refreshing change from the overdone comic book excess that led to the series' initial demise in 1997.