There'd better be a Batman Continues

Rating: 9/10 (19 June 2005)

Didn't have huge hopes, thought it would be okay. Was blown away and totally entranced for the whole 135 minutes.
A movie that finally got the whole Batman thing, that it should be ABOUT Batman. I watched Burton's Batman 1 the other day before this one, and right as the opening titles came up, I said to myself: there's the problem in large letters - Jack Nicholson. Above the title and before Michael Keaton. The movie, unfortunately, confirmed this, in spite of some good moments, it just degenerated into another Nicholson vehicle. Keaton had an impossible task to keep up. It was a shame because the potential was there, however I am glad to say that Christopher Nolan has made no such error. This film is everything I wanted it to be, and so much more than I expected.
Batman to me is the most interesting of the comic book heroes, because he's just an ordinary human in extraordinary circumstances. His journey from traumatized rich kid to tortured hero is a fascinating study in fear, courage and morality. What more do you need? Penguins, Jokers, Riddlers and Ice Blocks are just grist to the Batman mill. No more.
Having understood that, Nolan runs with the ball and develops a complex and divided character who is accessible to everyone in a way that comic book heroes have never been on celluloid. I felt for this Batman and Bruce Wayne. I understood his bat fear, his guilt over his parents' death and his need to atone for it, and the drive which enables him, bit by bit, over many years, to develop a way to achieve his goal through sheer discipline and courage. Way to go Bruce.
I liked the way in which the Batman world is actually plausible. Gadgets that could work in our world, plots that are less fantastical and more real, if not realistic. Nolan doesn't indulge in fantasy for which I am grateful. There is more scope this way, for strong character arcs and believable situations which makes the film so much more memorable because it is so much more accessible to the viewer. This film was not aimed solely at Batman fans, nor do you need to be a Bat fan to enjoy it. Nolan explains Batman better than Raimi did with Spiderman and way, way better than Ang Lee did with Hulk. I'm not knocking these and other excellent films like X-2 but you know they have clearly stepped over the fantasy line. Batman Begins just hovers around the edge of it, and that is what makes it such an enjoyable ride for me.
It's a very assured and well-disciplined film as well. The effects never overwhelm the story (are you listening George?), the CGI is mercifully near non-existent, and the pacing hardly ever flags. I like the gritty texture of the film without going into the full Gothic mode of previous incarnations - again it makes the whole premise more real.
Casting was first-rate except for Katie Holmes, or more accurately, Rachel Dawes. Really why was she there at all? On a hiding to nothing poor Katie, because the film is so good that a flaw such as her role really stands out. I guess she can console herself with her big fat rock, but I found myself wishing more and more for Harvey Dent with each minute of screen time she got.
Any film with Morgan Freeman is always worth a look and Michael Caine was delightful as Alfred. I especially loved seeing Gary Oldman as Gordon - what a nice surprise to see this very talented actor play a good guy for once, if a somewhat confused good guy. There is a lovely rapport with Bruce/Batman which is worth developing in future outings.
And Christian Bale, you made Bruce/Batman. You gave him depth, vulnerability mixed with raw courage, weakness mixed with great strength of will, and you made him human. With plenty left in the tank for later examination.
Loved it. Am going back for more. Soon. 9 out of 10. One off for the score which was a bit aimless.