Grand expectations and a lot to live up to.

Rating: 8/10 (19 June 2005)

I've had the opportunity to view this film three times so far: once for a review/ratings, once for a media preview and once with friends and every time it has received a standing ovation with full applause! There was so much room for this film to fail but, I think it did the opposite. As a result people are going to be divided.
Although!
I think it's sad that people have to take all their opinions and preconceived notions of the actors (Katie Holmes e.g..), Tim Burton's version (which is from a different source!), compare it to other comic book character's and films made in their likeness; then say something along the lines "It wasn't realistic and I found it far-fetched". All of this, WITHOUT even stopping to realize that Nolan was able to pull off this film, only a few cheesy lines "I gotta get me one of those" stands out in my mind, a mix of well-know and actors in the cult regions of cinema plus a-hell-of-a lot of expectations from the viewers. I think if the lines are blurred in one's reality in such a way that they cannot see this as a fictional piece of work and merely an art form then, that individual is just, simply, not going to enjoy this film.
Personally I was glad to see a film with the backing of a large studio not use CGI for fight scenes and landscapes, for the most part. I feel Christian Bale did a fantastic job of playing Batman and Bruce Wayne as a "person" and a rich yuppie...Keaton left a large hole to be filled and I think Bale was able to bring something new to the table. I would have enjoyed seeing more of Ken Wantanabe in the film but, hey, can't have it all.
Cheers