Completely blown away

Just like I knew I would be. (Because I cheated, but … never mind.)

I have said it before, but I am happy to say it again: this movie is friggin awesome. It’s quite long, but at the same time it manages to be still way too short. I’m still not coherent enough to write a proper review, but since we’re way behind the times here in boring ol’ Germany, I am sure you all have read tons of eloquently phrased reviews by now so I won’t even bother to try. But I think this movie (just like The Lord of the Rings and Serenity) will turn into a kind of litmus test for me. There are people who just get it and then there’s the rest … the “other ones” who have to be pitied for being oblivious and taste-impaired.

All I will say is: I already bought another ticket to go see it a second time. And probably a third. That fact kind of speaks for itself, seeing as normally I hate going to the cinema and watch a movie with all those people around me that get on my nerve when they breathe too loud or eat disgusting things or just generally annoy me by their mere presence.

I wouldn’t even know where to begin describing what all I loved about this movie. It’s just too much awesomeness concentrated into a mere 2.5 hours. But let’s see if I can come up with a top ten (which will contain spoilers for sure).

1. Christian Bale is hotter than should be humanly possible. Not only does he look completely at home (not to speak of totally cool) in the batsuit, he also made me drool when he was walking around in Jeans and a sweatshirt. And even more so without the shirt. *sigh*

2. Heath Ledger has for this role completely forsaken his usual charming cuteness and is just full-on creepy and evil. He played the Joker like I have never before seen a villain played. You would have thought that Jack Nicholson could do evil pretty good. But he is a scared little mouse compared to Heath’s Joker. Whenever he was on screen everybody else paled in comparison to him. He owns that damn movie.

3. Almost all the other actors were fantastic as well. Michael Caine as Alfred is adorable. His wry humor just made me giggle again and again. Aaron Eckhart brought out both sides of Two Face believably (I don’t really believe he’s dead - am I the only one who thinks that?). Gary Oldman is just … well, he’s Gary Oldman. Perfect, in other words. Morgan Freeman: fantastic as always. The only one I found a bit boring (again) was Rachel. Maggie Gyllenhaal didn’t do any more for me than Katie Holmes did in the first movie. But since she’s been blown to pieces now I don’t concern myself with her anyway.

4. The Batpod. The day I win the lottery I will go and find somebody who can custom build me a bike exactly like that. Never mind that I don’t know the first thing about motor bikes, but this thing seriously rocks.

5. They killed the girl. How many movies dare to blow up the love interest of two of the main characters? Well, this one does and I just love it. I honestly thought the little boy at the end would have to bite the dust as well, but then again: you can’t have everything, right? Maybe next time.

6. William Fichtner did a cameo in the opening sequence with the bank robbery. Ok, so he wasn’t a very good shot and did get shot down himself instead, but he went down with style. And it’s always good to see his face in a big movie, if only for 5 minutes. Even though the Joker completely stole his thunder with this grenade thingy and his “I kill the bus driver” line, which cracks me up no matter how often I watch the scene.

7. All those shots of Batman jumping off some skyscraper, spreading his cape and flying somewhere were literally breathtaking. I had to fight serious vertigo a couple of times.

8. The interrogation scene. The whole thing from Gordon leaving the room up to Batman storming out to save his girl was one of the most hilarious and fun scenes in the whole movie. “Never start with the head, the victim gets all fuzzy.”

9. The thing with the dog-bite. Bruce stitching himself up and Alfred cracking jokes. “It was a big dog.” LOL

10. The Joker burning that humungous pile of money. “Don’t worry, I’m only burning my half.” He. And the fact that he always invented a new story about how he got his scars. And his idea with the boats. Genius. In really don’t believe that nobody would have pressed that button. “We really should stop fighting, we’ll miss the fireworks!” Oh, and the Joker in drag! How could I forget that sight ever again? Heath Ledger had such nice legs for a guy. “I’m like a dog chasing cars. I wouldn’t even know what to do with one if I caught it.”

11. Bruce and Lucius discussing the new bat suit. “How will it hold up against dogs?” - “We talking Rottweilers or Chihuahuas? Should do fine against cats.”

12. And, oh yeah, the face of Two Face. Unforgettable. I’m so glad I don’t get nightmares, otherwise I would be toast right now. That eye is seriously disturbing.

Well, I could go on and on. If you haven’t seen the movie already you really should do yourself a favour and rectify that oversight. I can hardly wait for the next installment, whenever that will happen. But right now I think I will go and watch “Batman Begins” again.