Best Yet, but...

Rating: 9/10 (21 June 2005)

Batman is the superhero without "superpowers". This is what has made him so durable as a comic book character, TV star and movie hero for more than 65 years. This film captures this idea better than any version before it. I especially appreciated the look into how a billionaire goes from penny loafers and Princeton to prowling rooftops in a black suit and a cape. The moment in the courthouse, when the revenge he was so willing to throw his life away for is snatched from him, we finally see Bruce Wayne in a light that makes Batman possible. I thought Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine stole the show, but BRAVO...more power to them. PLUS, Gary Oldman's Gordon is the best played subtle, layered performance of his scenery chewing career. It is hard to find too many flaws in this film. The entire 2+ hours are terrific. Big raspberry to the critics who said the film was too long. But, the action sequences seemed clunky in places and slow to develop. Not enough to hurt the film, but enough to show that this director has not done a lot (any?) of action movies. Bottom line...I can't wait to see it again!