Film critic Roger Ebert, renowned for his insightful reviews and appreciation for quality cinema, had reviewed seven Batman movies before his passing in 2013. Among these, two stood out as his top picks: ‘Batman’ and ‘Batman Returns’, directed by Tim Burton and released in 1989 and 1992 respectively, starring Michael Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne. In the later years of the 2000s and 2010s, a new era of Batman began with Christopher Nolan’s ‘Batman Begins’, ‘The Dark Knight’, and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Christian Bale’s portrayal of Batman in Nolan’s trilogy continues to be the most admired version of the DC hero by fans.
Among the Batman films, only “Batman Begins” from 2005 and “The Dark Knight” from 2008 received a perfect four-star rating by Ebert. For contrast, he assigned two stars to “Batman” (1989), “Batman Returns”, and “Batman & Robin”; while “Batman Forever” earned a slightly higher but still modest rating of 2.5 stars from him.
In the first two installments of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, received overwhelming acclaim from critics, earning 85% and 94% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes respectively. This praise mirrors the sentiments of many, including Roger Ebert, who expressed admiration for both films. However, as a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic, Ebert offered insightful perspectives that explained why he found Batman Begins and The Dark Knight more appealing than any other Batman movie he had watched.
What Roger Ebert Loved About Batman Begins and The Dark Knight
Despite opinions that Batman Begins is the least impressive film in Nolan’s trilogy among some fans, Ebert was captivated by the movie. He expressed his long-awaited satisfaction with Batman Begins, stating, “Finally, this is the Batman film I’ve been eagerly anticipating.” Furthermore, Ebert made it clear that he had a deep affection for Batman compared to other superheroes, primarily due to his character being “more somber and mature” than several of his DC counterparts.
I wholeheartedly echo Ebert’s sentiments about the latest portrayal of Batman. In my opinion, Christian Bale truly embodies this evolving Batman perfectly. It’s intriguing to see him transformed from his emaciated self in “The Machinist” into a muscular and toned figure, but it’s his inner depth that truly resonates with the character.
Three years on, Ebert was left spellbound by Nolan’s sequel, “The Dark Knight”. Starring a mesmerizing portrayal by Heath Ledger as the Joker, this film stands among the most memorable comic book adaptations ever made. Ebert’s critique echoes the exceptional nature of “The Dark Knight”, stating, “Batman is no longer a figure from the comics. Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’ transcends its roots and transforms into a gripping tragedy. It develops characters we grow attached to. This is due to the acting, direction, script, and the exceptional technical craftsmanship that defines the entire production.
Ebert found himself deeply captivated by the characters and acting in “The Dark Knight”. Besides the remarkable performances of Heath Ledger as the Joker and Christian Bale as Batman, Ebert commended the entire cast for their “strong” portrayals. He also pointed out that the exceptional special effects never overshadowed the outstanding performances of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman as James Gordon, Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.
In essence, the movie critic commended Christopher Nolan’s first two Batman films as they allowed the character to express a wider range of human emotions. Notably, these ratings are significantly higher than what Roger Ebert gave to the franchise’s early films, which never exceeded 2.5 stars.
For those interested, film critic Ebert commended Christopher Nolan’s last Batman film, 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” with a three-star rating. Ebert pointed out that the movie didn’t quite meet the exceptional standard set by “The Dark Knight” due to a less compelling villain and confusing storyline. However, he still deemed it a “respectable conclusion.
Ebert’s Praise of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Highlights the Two Movies’ Standout Qualities
Despite not being the only one who admired the films, Roger Ebert’s reviews underscored the greatness of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. In “Batman Begins,” fans were introduced to a darker and grittier universe than they were used to from comic books, with Christian Bale bringing depth to both Batman and Bruce Wayne. The action sequences and supporting cast in “The Dark Knight” elevated Nolan’s exceptional direction to iconic levels. As Ebert pointed out, these movies were more than just their fight scenes or stunning visuals; they offered a captivating story filled with emotion and character development. In his insightful film criticism, Ebert accurately recognized “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight” as the best Batman films of their era.
Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are currently available to stream on Max.
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2025-03-19 01:41