Dark and Earthy Superhero

Rating: 8/10 (5 August 2008)

This less than perfect action movie with a similar "action movie" formula and a confusing, convoluted story is enhanced by the appeal of Batman and the realistic way this superhero movie is made.
One appeal stems from an earthy realism. It is the superhero movie for those that prefer realism to fantasy. The moody darkness is sustained throughout by dwelling on the conflicted Batman and the idiosyncratic villains. These various aspects transform a good action movie into the greatest superhero movie.
Batman's own inner turmoil, limitations, indecisiveness make him more down to earth and relatable than those with kryptonic/other worldly powers. This Superhero is brought into our realm by his own moral issues that plague his decision making, his self doubt about himself and what he is doing with his life and his lack of any true superpower (his strength comes from training and kept in human terms and his skills come from technological gadgets).
Even more than Batman himself, the colorful assortment of thematic villains is the most fascinating aspect of Batman and this movie. The way these villain's lose their sense of sanity from some trauma and take it out in horrifically menacing ways that are characteristic of their idiosyncratically warped minds has never been as realistically imagined and portrayed as in this Batman Series. This realism is what makes it better, more believable and the most frightening. This Joker will be one of the most hauntingly creepy, sinister and sadistic characters ever created in film. His eerie lunacy, vocalized by the psychotic laugh, masks and yet enhances his black soul.