A nearly perfect start to a new BATMAN franchise

Rating: 8/10 (27 June 2005)

After a series of severe letdowns in films like BATMAN AND ROBIN, I was somewhat jaded... I was not really looking forward to seeing this new installment of BATMAN. Then, three things happened: I caught wind of the fact that Christopher Nolan (of such films as MOMENTO and INSOMNIA) would be directing; I heard that Morgan Freeman (the most under-appreciated man in Hollywood, if you ask me) would be in the film; and then I read that this would, in no way what-so-ever be related to the disappointing films of the past.
Add these three things together and what you get is: possibilities.
So... Mr. Nolan decides to back up and start from the beginning. And rather than just waving a hand to the fact that BATMAN, a non-powered super-hero, is one of the toughest S.O.B.s to walk a beat in comicbookville, he gives a glimpse of not only the "why" of the Bat's existence, but the "how" as well. And for the first time, it all makes sense.
BATMAN, you see, is not "just" Bruce Wayne in this film. It is a symbol; a torch-bearer of possible redemption for Gotham City and it just so happens that Bruce Wayne is carrying the torch right now. Because, as you see in this film, BATMAN is really a combination of the efforts and good-will of Bruce Wayne, Alfred (his butler and closest friend), Luscious Fox (Director of Wayne Enterprises R&D department), and (to a somewhat lesser extent) Police Sergeant (and later Lieutenant) Gordon -- who we all know will eventually be Police Commissioner Gordon one day.
These are the people that BATMAN trusts. These are the people that either know who he is, or have some idea of what he is about. And as we see the BATMAN persona develop in this film, there are very few times when your suspension of disbelief is being tested.
BATMAN is a dark, dark film. But it should be. BATMAN is no boyscout. He is the Dark Knight who operates by striking fear into the hearts of those that would prey upon, and bring fear to, the innocents of his city. And make no mistake, Bruce Wayne/BATMAN thinks of Gotham as "his" city. And he will protect it (to borrow a phrase) "by any means necessary." In the end, when you watch this movie, the only flaw it has is this: despite being nearly 2.5 hours long, it ends too quickly. You find yourself being catapulted through the mid-to-late parts of the film. In all honesty, I would have liked to have seen this movie told over 3 to 3.5 hours. To paraphrase James Cameron: "If the film needs to be 3 hours long, then let it be 3 hours long. Do not compromise the story in order to meet an artificial time limit." Overall, I am very happy with this movie. I eagerly await the next installment.