Batman has been rescued

Rating: 9/10 (10 June 2005)

I just had a private screening at the office of our local distributors and I would like to urge, make that,strongly urge all of you who have lost hope on another Hollywood driven Batman franchise to go see this film.
You could very well say that this is an action movie which is character driven. And even though we're still talking about a guy in a bat suit, that is only secondary to the very believable motivations and actions of someone who: a)saw his parents murdered in front of him and grows with an unfulfilled hunger for revenge and b)has all the economic means to pursue that hunger in whatever fashion he chooses to.
But worry not batfans, Nolan has prepared a pleaser which delivers every ounce of darkness this character has always been short of in previous films. Be it from impressive open shots featuring gargoyle like poses above Gotham or from menacing close ups, Nolan and Bale's character does inspire fear.
Definitely not suitable for children, Adam West fans and followers of the *gasp* last two installments of the series.
The brainy ones will be pleased as well, since the film does a magnificent job in explaining every gadget's practical origins and most of the character's decisions. Moreover, you never forget that it is Bruce Wayne, mere human, the one facing danger.
This in particular only accentuates the connection with the character. It is not the undefeatable super hero who no one worries about, it's a man who's stretching the very limits of what a person can do.
Bruce and Rachel's relationship is not pure saccharine. Alfred is both father figure and right arm, with equal parts tough love and brilliant dignity.
References to the historical Batman are plenty and well placed, making this the most satisfying Dark Knight flick I've ever seen. Hope this helps.