Batman Triumphant

Rating: 7/10 (19 June 2005)

It's interesting that the title for the cancelled film that was to follow Batman and Robin was to be called Batman Triumphant, because this film is just that. It is a faithful representation of the character and the best Batman film yet.
First of all, the script hits the nail on the head. The relationships between Bruce Wayne and everyone else are exactly as they should be. The relationship between Batman and Gordon perfectly translated from the comics. There's nothing missing here, character, drama and action are all present and balanced well. Like Raimi and Singer, Nolan has made an intelligent, action packed and dramatic comic book film. However while X-men and Spider-man embraced the comic book feel and more fantasitcal elements, this film rejects them in favour of grit and (relative) realism. And this is a good thing. While the fantasy elements are what make Spider-man and X-men great, history has shown that they ruin Batman. Nothing here is garish or over the top. The gadgets and costumes are functional (even the scarecrows), the villains sinister but not caricatures and the supporting characters real. However, while the car chases etc... are great, the fistfights are shot too close. It's difficult to see if any punches are thrown and who's winning, I'd love to have seen Batman kicking ass but I couldn't make it out.
Christian Bale IS Batman. I can't imagine anyone better suited to the role and it's great that the first film to really have Batman as the lead character has such an accomplished actor in the role. All of the cast is either excellent or good enough that they don't detract from the quality of the film. My favourite performances aside from Bale were: Michael Caine injecting real charisma, humanity and humour into Alfred. This is the first time I've really felt like Bruce and Alfred are close and really care about each other in anything other than the comics.
Gary Oldman as Gordon. Gordon needs to be an honest man who has become jaded by the corrupt justice system. He's suspicious of Batman but sees him as an opportunity to change things. Oldman injects a kind of working class hero warmth and honesty into Gordon and considering it's not a huge role, was very memorable.
Cillian Murphy as Dr Jonothan Crane/Scarecrow. A well pitched creepy performance. The Scarecrow is handled brilliantly in the film being intimidating and calculated despite not being very tough. Psychology is his weapon, I just wish he wasn't taken down so easily by Katy Holmes.
I don't have room to say everything I loved about this film but there isn't a bad performance. Katy Holmes is being unfairly criticised though. I'm sure another actress could've played her role but I don't think there's much scope to bring anything outstanding to the part, she's good in it.
Critiscms. The score is good but it's not as memorable as the Danny Elfman score from the first Batman. But I don't think there's been any memorable scores (al la Indiana Jones, Superman, Star Wars) for years. Also, Like I said before the fights are too closely shot to know what's going on and it might be too scary/pitched over the heads of younger viewers.
On the whole, this is up there with the best comic book films and the best live action Batman ever. I couldn't give it a higher recommendation.