This is truly Bob Kane's vision

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2005)

We've had various versions of the the caped crusader through out his illustrious history. Some were great, like Tim Burton's first Batman film. Some were laughable like the Adam West TV series. Some were just so awful we dare not speak of it (Bat-nipples? Why?!). I can finally say that someone got it right this time. Christopher Nolan and David Goyer brought us a Dark Knight that is so close to Bob Kane's vision that I'm sure he's smiling down to us from "up there". Christian Bale was perfectly cast in the lead role. He played the Bruce perfectly. He gave us a Bruce Wayne that we can actually care for which was not done well in the previous Bat-flicks. His portrayle of Batman was so intense and mean that it brought a tear to the eye of the most die hard bat-fans. The villains were villains, which was the big mistake in "Batman Forever" and "Batman and Robin": the villains were jokes. Ra's Al Ghul was such a cerebral villain and a "ying" to Batman's "yang". The Scarecrow was such a creepy, scary character that embodied how dark and scary Gotham has become. Cillian Murphy played the Scarecrow like a horror villain which is how it was meant to be; a twisted mind concealed in the form of a "respectable" doctor. Michael Cain for me was the biggest surprise. I never thought much of Alfred before. I always that he was a handy butler for Bruce Wayne. Michael Cain however changed my view of him. He played Alfred with such a warmth as a father figure and a friend. He was actually quite funny as well with his one-liners every now and then which helped lighten the mood in the darkest of situations. Gotham City was also stunning, being all dark and gloomy, and not a bright light circus act that the last two bat-films showed. I do not want to get into the plot in respect for those who have not seen the movie but I guarantee whoever watches this movie, they won't be disappointed. Many films in the comic book genre are predictable. I can proudly say that "Batman Begins" is not predictable at all. It's riveting, exciting, intense, and very very fun. This is definitely the joyride of the summer and I highly recommend it. I'm sure Bob Kane would too.