A comic book story turned on its head

Rating: 9/10 (22 December 2019)

Cards on the table, I am not a fan of the genre at all and never have been. The much lauded Dark Knight included - visually great but the story never interested me.
But this is different. And despite trying to go in with an open mind, there was still a cynical thought in there that its still a kids comic adaptation. It clearly isn't. Its dark. Very dark. And all the better for it.
The storyline is not overly complicated and there are excellent tie ins with the franchise but this is purely about Phoenix who is breathtaking. I cant recall a leading actor putting himself as visually on the line since Harvey Keitel in Bad Lieutenant.
The ending probably lends itself to a follow up and as much as I'm generally against such things, Phoenix in the role will ensure this former reluctant viewer will eagerly await it.