Ok so I admit it. I've always had a thing for Batman. He was my very first comic book crush. I used to tape (pre-tivo VHS tape) the cartoon in the early 90's. My favorite episodes I can still remember. (Harley Quinn and Poision Ivy join forces, Batman on trial at the hands of all the villians, and the Joker Fish.)
I think it's my lust for brainy self-sufficent guys that sparked my flame way back when. I have no intrest in aliens effected by our sun, mutants are mildly amusing but not something I can relate to - not really. But someone who has kick ass gadgets and nothing but his wits - that's hot!
I must admit, I thought the first Batman was cool, but not all that. It was too dark, and I distinctly remember being pissed that the Joker died. WHAT?! Who is Batman going to fight now?! Hell even Superman kept Lex around for shits and giggles! However it always bothered me that "Mr. Mom" was Batman. I like Michael Keaton. He would be my second favorite Batman (behind the new beefcake Bale), but he did not strike me as a suave and dapper Bruce Wayne. But the series just kept getting worse, and worse.
FINALLY - The series has been redeemed. Not only the series, but the genre as a whole. Action movies with heart - who'da thunk? I'm not talking about the cheese infused crap-traps like of the Armagedon Pearl Harbor variety. I think Spiderman 2 finally showed us you can make smart - feeling-filled superhero's and action heros.
The dialouge was smart, the acting all around was great.
Christian Bale - yum! It could be that I'm biased since I've had a yen for him ever since Swing Kids and Newsies, but he can act too. Empire of the Sun - kinda long and a bit weird - but damn that kid could act. I believe him as Bruce Wayne, and I think did a great job of seperating - yet tying together the many sides of Bruce's persona. A deep and compelling look at this complex person.
Morgan Freeman was perfectly cast! Michael Cane was also great. I don't know the actor who played Gordon but he was great too and pefectly cast. Liam Neisan - perfectly cast again.
I am not a Katie Holmes fan - especially since her hole "Tommy Can You Hear Me" phase, but I thought even she worked for me. I know some critics said she wasn't the typical sex-pot love interest. For me that's why she worked. Her character is a cute child-hood friend who's idealistic and perfect. She worked for me.
The only complaint in casting I have was the Scarecrow. He was too young and too pretty. The Scarecrow in mind is older, skinnier, and probably has pock marks from adolecent acne. He's a spurned loner type. But it was a minor complaint.
Smartly written. It was plausible. All the "how could just a regular guy do all that" is explained to leave us thinking "oh - well that makes sense". The villians are properly motivated. They have visions and aspire to do something with their evil genius instead of the usual villian being evil for the sake of being evil.
Oh and did I mention - I saw it IMAX? Very cool experience. A little spendy at $14, but worth it for a blockbuster experience. I cant think of another movie I would blow fourteen bucks on - so it was worth it to me.
The sound rawked. Butt rattlingly good!
Best Batman movie - EVER. Dare I say, best superhero movie ever? I think I dare.
I bet some of you have never seen me in full on nerdery, but it had to be said. I feel better. My inner nerd has been flexed for the week. Carry on!
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