Absolutely Great but....

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2008)

I watched Batman this last week with my husband. I will start by saying I am not a fan of Christian Bale at all but he was very suited in his role as Batman and very convincing. The cast was in general, very well picked and very suited for their roles. Aaron Echhart was amazing and Heath Ledger was absolutely Oscar material in his role as the Joker!!
As I was watching the film, I grew uneasy though. The "darkness" of the film was overwhelming at times and at 2 1/2 hrs long after a while I was looking at my watch begging there would be no more. The film was GOOD, but I found myself holding my breath far too many times, cringing far too many times and agonizing far too many times for me to say I had fun. I left the cinema with a very heavy heart and rather depressed to be honest. The Joker kept outsmarting the Batman and when he didn't it happened in a ridiculous way and I was like "that was all?!"
The film had too many high points in the plot to be honest. It felt as if was caught in a rough sea which was fun for a while but the waves kept coming and coming and coming and coming.... and coming... with no end until it was not fun anymore. After the 2 hrs mark I just wanted the film over already. Just grab the Joker and kill him and be done with it, let's go home!! There was also too much information in this film. They could have made TWO films out of it easily. Seriously! Things kept happening and happening and happening and happening some more... too many locations, too many characters, the film was bustling with them, too many stories, plots and us agonizing and holding our breaths throughout the film.
Technically the film was amazing. But it was looooong and got tiring after a while. There were long films that were telling a story (like LOTR) that were smooth and had highs and lows nicely distributed and even though it was longer than Batman the time flew and I enjoyed it. Batman was "bang bang bang bang bang" one after the other, the other, the other, the other until my head hurt and I started looking at my watch. "Be done already" I kept thinking... "what else can POSSIBLY happen now!?" so many things happened! I am telling you it could have been two films...
I gave it a 9 because otherwise it really was a good, good, good film... and for a while I did enjoy it. After a while I just wanted out of the theater... And RIP Heath... we will miss you!