Simply great

Rating: 9/10 (22 December 2010)

I'm always up for a superhero movie, and I'm often disappointed. Not so with Christopher Nolan's retooling of the Batman legend.
The origin is not only faithfully reworked, it is also fitted out with loving detail as to how the Batman we are familiar with was assembled - every element of the familiar character has its own origin, and the incremental addition of each part gives the whole a solid credibility which the otherwise inherent silliness of the character has previously lacked.
This is added to by the gravitas offered by a heavyweight cast: Bale's intensity, Freeman's and Oldman's decency, and Caine's sheer heart add an emotional depth to the story which previous efforts (and most other superhero movies) have lacked.
In addition, the origin is dovetailed into an organised crime story which gives the opportunity for the fledgling crime-fighter to strut his stuff.
Then factor in excellent performances, first rate design and effects, and some stirring musical cues, and you have a movie which takes a comic book hero and makes him into a legend.
Great stuff.