Bat-tastic

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2013)

This has the classic Burton touches of the prequel, as a dark and intimidating Gotham is menaced by killer clowns, fire eaters and a lady with a poodle(!) The imagination this chap displays is so off the chart, he was only ever going to be a brilliant director, or a permanent asylum patient. Fortunately, it hasn't just got one mildly compelling character in The Joker like numero uno, but three riveting ones in The Penguin, Catwoman and even Max Shreck, played by the ever-reliable Christopher Walken. Batman still feels like a bit-part player in his own movie, but with so much going on, who cares? Every minute something wild and wacky happens, but if you think the film lacks heart... Wait until you see the ending. The fates of two of the cast are movingly poignant, but lay to rest the argument that Burton is just a visual director. Then again, if you'd seen Edward Scissorhands, you'd know that already...