best Batman, but strangely could've been even better

Rating: 8/10 (11 July 2005)

slight spoiler alert: (sorry can't complain about some details without a few slight spoilers). First let me say, good film, great Batman character, well done, best Batman film to date, etc. What bugs me is how perfect it could've been with a few changes. The action sequences were annoying at best, and somewhat unsettling in IMAX. We assume that Batman can fight well, it would've been nice to see it even a little bit. All we see is excessive quick-cuts, blurs, and shaky cam. I feel dizzy and nauseous remembering it. Second, the bad guy(s) are confusing as to their motivation. At the beginning we're listening to them pontificate, and dare we say agree somewhat. Then, after we sort of buy into their ideas, they suddenly come up with "... and so that's why we have to destroy Gotham!" Huh? Excuse me? Ranks right up there with Anakin Skywalker's turn to the dark side: "I need to save my love Padme', so I must now kill all Jedi and their children." Huh? I still don't know why the bad guys were so adamant about being bad, when it was based on logic and justice, and not craziness. Craziness I can understand: Joker, riddler, etc. But these guys? Seemed a little motivated by some message that I don't get, and maybe don't want to. Sure there's plenty of intelligence in both sides, but theirs seemed disjointed, and ulitimately not believable.
That said, all characters are acted well, there's even a twist. Bale does a super job as the big BM and BW too. As cold as ice, but human enough to believe in the character. The gadgets are better explained and dealt with than in previous films. And DARK DARK DARK is Batman and his surroundings. FINALLY! Please bury Robin, Batgirl, Batcat, Bathamster, and Batrat (et al) where they belong in the graveyard of kiddie lit and kiddie TV. Batman is a cold, lone, fearsome vigilante, not a blue panzy with spandex. Best of all, this film is more of a drama at it's core, than a superhero flick. Yes, there's plenty of action, but it's not silly brainless henchmen action. Well done all around, and mostly well directed. There is some humor, but almost disguised as fair dialogue instead of obvious one liners. Not very much time to laugh, but well placed for the most part. Funny segway at the end to honor Burton's first movie, but strangely changes enough circumstances so that Burton's film cannot be possible from that segway. Unless they plan on just reworking an already used bad guy on the next film. Hmmm. I wonder.
Anyway, definite recommend. Bad costume headpiece, great actor, good story, well filmed, great batmobile (love it or hate it seems to most), confusing bad guys, spooky Gotham, nice gadgets, would've been great butt kicking if we could see it. 8 of 10.