Defied expectation

Rating: 9/10 (7 December 2005)

I was prepared to be fully underwhelmed by this movie, but to my happy surprise, it was the coolest thing I've seen in a long while. Forget the previous Bat-films, this one's the real deal. The short list of what got it done for me: Finally, we get the story of the scary, vengeful Batman--Frank Miller's Dark Knight. Michael Caine's sarcastic, loyal "tough love" Alfred. Gary Oldman's weary, haunted and heroic Gordon. Morgan Freeman's Lucius Fox, a cooler, more conspiratorial "Q." That killer effin' car. And for the completionist geek (guilty here), satisfying explanations of the Batcave and our hero's expertise in hand-to-hand combat.
I'd truly like to see this movie become the foundation of a new, Miller-esquire franchise. AS for the previous Bat-flicks, I'd like to see them continue, maybe even veering into lovingly cornball homages to the lovingly cornball TV series, celebrity villains and all. Cedric the Entertainer as King Tut, anyone?