Incredible movie, though almost batman

Rating: 9/10 (17 January 2006)

The movie is incredible for a superhero movie. It's the "wake up" call to Marvel, on how good a well done movie can be with a guy in a leotard.
Probably the best batman yet, Christian Bale is intense, serious, has the voice and even look for the role. The Idea of the Batman costume was to drive fear into criminals - this is from the books not the movie - and it was nice to see that point stressed.
This movie involved more of Bruce Wayne's business than movies before it. There's the squabbles for the company, Bruce's takeover, the introduction of Lucius Fox etc.
Bats aren't overly stressed in this movie. Usually you see grapples in the shape of a bat, the car has bat like fins, Bat this, bat that. The car was well, awesome looking :) and didn't have a thing to do with bats - reminded me of Frank Miller's tank in Dark Knight Returns.
Some things are a little off, some just plain wrong for batman though. Still, a terrific movie for hardcore Batman followers.
Starting with his parents death, the comics always showed his eyes intense, not anger, but close. Definitely not fear.
He did seek to better his body and mind, but it was not running among thieves; and being trained by Ras (pronounced Ray-shh) was a big twist. OK - some things can obviously slide, and the plot fit, but Batman is supposed to have MANY teachers. And Ras isn't supposed to be one of them. Mental disciplines for healing, enduring pain, master escape artist, many forms of fighting.
Bruce was supposed to have a hatred for guns - not conceal one in public for revenge.