Perfection out of an "impossible" history!

Rating: 10/10 (7 March 2007)

As a 71 year old geezer who grew up with Bob Kane and Batman, this latest addition to the long, mostly self-indulgent and expensive committee driven series has raised my hopes that there, finally, has surfaced someone with brains and taste. Christopher Nolan is that person. He has taken back, from the puerile garbage heap that was, a great tradition of movie making. Nolan has not just MADE a movie, he has CREATED a movie, albeit in the face of serious, I am sure, misgivings. The casting alone was genius, itself. Christian Bale was allowed to act, a talent he has demonstrated so many other times. Looking over the list of films he has graced by some of the other contributors to this site, I could not agree more. Tom Wilkinson, as the evil Falcone, should be better known in this country. I have seen many of his films in the past several months, each one a revelation. A most sensitive actor, this. Morgan Freeman always contributes a class that should be envied by others. He's the kind of person anyone would want as a best friend. A "mensch"! Liam Neeson could convince me of anything. I almost found myself agreeing with him about destroying Gotham. That voice! That presence! But did anyone notice he never dominated his scenes. That's called "acting". Michael Caine, just being "'imself". Funny, too, without being silly. One could really see that Bruce Wayne had great affection AND respect for Alfred. Bale's little smiles at Alfred and Fox (Freeman) when ever there was an exchange, made Bruce Wayne a likable person, not a cartoon. The always dependable Gary Oldman, who can be anything and anybody, invested his small, but very important role, with graceful dignity. He also set us up for his return in the next movie as "Commissioner" Gordon. Many stand-up comics could learn something from HIS timing. "I gotta get me one of those." he said about the Batmobile, barely audible. And our old friend, Rutger Hauer, also no stranger to subtle humor, even though of the sarcastic kind. I can't say much for Katie Holmes except that at least she was not mind-bendingly beautiful like Kim, Nicole,or Michelle. There's no way she could steal a scene.
So, I guess you movie fans out there are pretty clear about how much I enjoyed this movie. When a film can take you back to your childhood and make you feel ten years old again, I have to love it. Probably none of you remember Saturday afternoon serials like Batman, the Phantom, Spy Smasher, or Captain Marvel. Christoper Nolan brought some of that back to me for a couple of hours. I felt the same way about the first Star Wars, Indiana Jones movies, anything by Spielberg. Whatever you may think about their movies, Spielberg and Lucas know what its like to be a kid. Those of you who may be getting on in years, like me, will appreciate those simple pleasures. If you are in your twenties, well, you have something to look forward to.
Donald Waits