64. The Dark Knight Returns Part 2

Continues the good work of part 1 and enjoyably extends the Supes v Bats fight sequence for suitably epic results. A good quality retelling of one the best comic books ever.

59. The Dark Knights Returns Part 1

After Batman: Year One I wasn't holding out much hope for this 'DC Universe Animated Original Movie'. I can happily report it's actually very good! I think this is more to do with the source materail than what the animators have done here but I cannot deny, it's a rollicking good ride!

As far as the animation is concerned, it's a step up from Year One and the all action narrative really suits the medium. For everyone that has read the book, there is enough here to recommend you check it out.

Quality!

35. The Dark Knight Rises

Just got back from seeing The Dark Knight Rises and WOW! It's great! As I predicted not up there with TDK but pretty damn good all the same.

So much detail, style and precision as usual from Sir Christopher Nolan and Anna Hathaway is knockout as Catwoman. It's a fitting end to a fantastic trilogy.

If your a fan of the comics you'll probably guess 'the twist', but it's really a blinding bit of film making and excellent value for money at 2 and half hours long! And unlike Haywire the wife enjoyed it. WIN!

34. The Dark Knight

As the second part of my preparation for the forthcoming The Dark Knight Rises I have sat down to watch, what I think, is the best super hero film of all time (and I loved The Avengers).

So The Dark Knight is just so amazing on all levels. It's the best action movie, chase movie, horror movie, suspense movie or well... generally the best movie of 2008 without a shadow of a doubt. I never thought I would ever see the Batman realised on screen in such an darkly impressive, serious (as it can be) and inventive manner.

The bank heist in the first few minutes has more ideas crammed into it than most Hollywood blockbusters cram into two and half hours! Up to this point it was Christopher Nolans best film - although I think Inception bettered it...

Will TDKR better that? I doubt it, but really CANNOT WAIT to find out!

Hopefully MGM will hand the Bond franchise over to Nolan next and he can give that the kick up the arse it needs. That would be epic.

32. Batman Begins

I must admit that when watching Batman Begins for the first time I found I had a similar reaction to the first Burton Batman. It was 'great' but overall, a tad bit dull.

I should quantify this by saying I'm a massive Bat fan and my expectations could never be reached by either film; However, watching Sir Christopher Nolan's (it's only a matter of time) first effort again I have to say I really, really, really enjoyed it.

It still doesn't hold up as an action movie (neither did Burton's) but the amount of ideas and inventiveness is a joy to behold!

Even after this great start I would never have even begun to have expected a blockbuster of The Dark Knights magnitude to follow it...

11. Batman: Year One

An animated version of one my favourite comic books ever is always going to be a tricky one to pull off; and this doesn't do it justice at all.

The book had subtly, atmosphere and tension whereas the animated version has seemingly missed or ignored all of this. It moves far too quickly through a story that requires some delicate pacing at times. All this proves to me that the story itself is not really suited to the medium of animation.

It's worth mentioning that the animation is workmanlike at best and it feels like the whole project has had very little love from it's creators.

A shame.