If it weren't a comic book

Rating: 10/10 (10 July 2006)

OK, so it's not likely to ever actually occur in real life, but if the Batman story were "based on a true story", it would have to resemble this version a hundred times more than any other Batman-based theatrical release or television show before it. Many of the previously taken-for-granted aspects of Batman/Bruce Wayne's motives, abilities, and "tools-of-the-Batman-trade" are explained in as reasonable a fashion as they ever could be. Casting for the lead is perfect, with the expertly-earnest Christian Bale believably obsessed with his mission, buff enough to succeed at the athletic aspects of being a super-hero, and attractive & charming enough to pull off the playboy cover identity. The fight scenes are more true-to-life than most films, letting the action get lost in a blur of confusion rather than over-defining the technical details made me feel as if I was in the middle of the action. The movie-ending first mention of "The Joker",(of the presumed sequel),has me on pins and needles. Apparently there is much speculation about who will play the Joker. Whoever is cast will have his hands full making the character as insane as he needs to be while not seeming silly in the more "adult" format. I'd hope for extensive biographical work to explain Joker as well as Batman has been explained here.