Underestimated

Rating: 9/10 (21 June 2005)

I highly approve. And the reason why isn't because of Christian Bale's dark portrayal of the dark knight, or Liam Neeson as a bad guy (which is always refreshing, given his usual mentor-good-guy roles) or Gary Oldman as a young Commissioner Gordon (which he fits the part perfectly) or even Michael Caine giving Alfred more than just wit, giving him a fatherly, mentorly approach. It was Cillian Murphy. I've always feared the Scarecrow the most out of Batman villains, and his other face, Dr. Jonathan Crane. I've always been freaked out by the prospect of a villain introducing us to our worst fears and forcing us to live those for all time. And the cold eyes hidden behind thick-rimmed glasses, the never-ending smirk...all of these factors play into the perfect, I repeat, PERFECT person to play Dr. Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow. This movie was dark and beautiful. VERY VERY VERY WELL-DONE.