Do not be afraid, fear no darkness, and unleash all expectations. This film is as good as the all the hype, and more.
I was fortunate enough to have seen the film before I read any of the standard assortments of critical reviews out in the press. I had heard hearsay that Roger Ebert had said that this movie accomplished exactly what comics to movies should accomplish. Nothing more, just the standard rumblings you’d expect from the standard summer blockbuster.
This film is not a regular summer blockbuster. It saves the Batman movie genre single handedly from the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tommy Lee Jones and other terrible performances from the past five films based on Batman Comics. This film is also the greatest achiever in the category of “Comic Book based film.” This film beats Spiderman II and X2: X-Men United.
This is one of those movies that accomplishes all that it could. It is an achievement from every element, writing, directing, acting, special effects, and production. It will be difficult to describe fully.
This film is directed by Christopher Nolan, who also directed the underground favorite “Memento.” Nolan holds viewers in this comic book world effortlessly. The movie is 2 hours and 21 minutes in length, but the viewer doesn’t notice this at all. Even in films that are really good, like the LOTR trilogy, you still feel some dissonance as you realize you’ve been watching for a considerable length of time. Not in this film. There is only great disappointment that the movie has to end. Nolan accomplishes much in this film, but most of all he brings the viewers into a different world, and keeps them their without complaint.
There are some great acting performances in this film as well. Christian Bale plays the lead role as the young and troubled Bruce Wayne; he flees to another country before returning to Gotham to try to pick up whatever was left of his life. Liam Neeson plays Ducard, the man who takes the young Wayne under his wing into a secret Ninja society before he and Wayne part ways and Ducard become an antagonist. Neeson plays a character caught between good and evil: someone who has noble goals but dangerous means. He’s sympathetic, which makes him the perfect villain in this role.
Article comments
1 - Newsguy
I agree 100%. The movie exceeded my dim expectations on what I considered an overplayed franchise. In this case I left the movie excited for the next chance to watch it. For fans if the superhero genre this movie will not dissapoint.
2 - Eric Olsen
thanks MA, very nice!
3 - Billy Shears
The crowd in my movie theater went crazier than Oprah's audience when she is handing out free cars. They broke into applause about 5 different times throughout the movie. Anyway, the movie is gritty and dark as hell. Kudos to Nolan, Bale and the rest. Great stuff. 9/10
4 - Shark
It's rated PG-13 -- any caveats for parents & grandparents hoping to take kids younger than that?
Thanks in advance.
5 - dietdoc
Marty writes: "This is one of those movies that accomplishes all that it could. It is an achievement from every element, writing, directing, acting, special effects, and production. It will be difficult to describe fully."
Reply: As I replied to an earlier (and equally positive) review of this movie, this one may actually get me to the theatre 6 months (DVD release) before I would normally see the "summer blockbusters." Thanks for a very informative, interesting and concise review.
Cheers,
Ron
6 - Marty Andrade
This movie is pretty safe for younger viewers, I don't recall any excessive profanity. (Frankly, I don't recall any profanity at all, but I wasn't looking for it either). There is violence in this movie, which is the reason for its rating. I would say, from my own rural upbringing experience that it is safe for grandparents and kids younger than 13.
7 - Screen Rant
Shark, there's no profanity but I disagree big-time with Marty's recommendation up to a point. There was some stuff in there that little ones would probably find truly terrifying.
Of course you know your own kids, but I certainly wouldn't bring anyone under about 8 years old to this.
Vic
8 - Patricia Leary
This is one of the best movie I have seen in a very long time. Great Movie. I highly recommend seeing this great movie.