Not the best of the Batman movies, but the best portrayal of the character.

Rating: 8/10 (15 June 2005)

This film is in a different class compared to the four Batman films that came before it. Although it is not part of the same franchise, it is easiest to compare it to the other films.
"Batman" and "Batman Returns" were dark and left little room for humor or campy devices (like from the TV series), and while not completely accurate in comparison to the comics, showed very well the basic theme of what Batman really was. "Batman Forever" was not a bad movie, but fundamentally flawed in its characterizations, and "Batman and Robin" was a kids movie more than anything else, if anything, detracting from the idea of Batman as a Dark Knight. (Batman showing up at public functions? Please.)
"Batman Begins" is a huge leap backwards, not only in time, but in portrayal of the character of Bruce Wayne as a person scarred by the evils of society, and transforming his fear and anger into a positive symbol. While not as dark as Tim Burton's films, or as accurate as comic book fans would like it to be (the "classic villain" in the film isn't portrayed the way most of us know him), it is made well, and lets the viewer understand where Batman came from, what he is fighting for, and where he is going.
Christian Bale acts well, and plays Bruce Wayne well, although his portrayal of Batman leaves something to be desired (in my opinion, Michael Keaton was the only "Batman" to have gotten it right). The other characters in the film were outstanding (Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, hats off), with the exception of Katie Holms' character, which was almost ruined by her sickly smile and "Dawson's Creek" acting, and Liam Neeson, who's time in the film near the end was too short to build his character to an acceptable level, although his acting was satisfactory.
A warning: this film is long. Don't expect to even see the beginning of what you know as Batman until more than halfway into the film, but by that point, you'll understand that the film isn't about Batman as a character, or the evil he fights, it's about the man behind the mask.
A valiant effort. 8 out of 10.