The Way It should have been

Rating: 10/10 (21 June 2005)

This is how the modern Batman film should have been directed. It is dark, dirty and dangerous. This is the real Dark Knight. Having read the comics and coming to admire the story 'The Dark Knight Returns', the Batman is not some campy show in the 70s, nor was it the film directed by Tim Burton. Okay. Tim Burton approached somewhat the style of the Dark Knight, but it was still not as dark as it could be.
Christian Bale is amazing in this, he has the right physique and he has the fighting skills on film (see Equilibrium). The supporting actors of Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy are perfect.
Gotham City is dark and a scary place, just ripe for a winged crusader to save it from the criminals lurking around.
The story itself is quite 'meaty' and setups the story quite nicely. It also ends by leading the audience to a possible sequel. If the sequel can outdo this excellent first attempt, then I am already salivating.