Brilliant!

Rating: 9/10 (14 July 2005)

After too many superhero movies coming out in the past few years, I had one expectation of Batman Begins - it's gonna be LOUSY! But no, it was superb! Was slow and dark in parts, but didn't bore one bit. Being directed by Christopher Nolan, of Momento fame, the movie carried its darkness and depth from beginning to end. Batman is a dark night, and is better shown with lack of glamor and more realism.
From how he became a good fighter in the far east, to how he becomes Batman, makes a bat-suit, gadgets and the bat-mobile, is emphasized with great detail. This movie made a good tribute to the comic character with such dedicated build-up.
Christian Bale was a better Batman than I had anticipated, and finally played a role that would get him recognition among normal movie goers. He would have got that recognition had Equillibrium not been released after the Matrix. Michael Caine was just brilliant as Alfred, got to speak his cockney accent and portray the polished butler appropriately. Katie Holmes looked like a teenager but managed to behave grown up, as an A.D.A. She's still adorable as she was in the days of Dawson's Creek. Morgan Freeman surprised many by taking a smaller role in this movie, but adds color to his resume and will probably be playing a greater role in the sequels to follow, if there are any and if he casted. Liam Neeson, quite similar to Quigon Jin in Star Wars, impressed as Bruce Wayne's fight trainer, and his evil ways were shown well. Ken Watanabe, made an excellent entry into Hollywood in the Last Samurai - so much that he got nominated for an Oscar! His role in Batman Begins wasn't major, probably getting his numbers up and did a decent job of not talking much and fighting only once. Gary Oldman and Tom Wilkinson supported well. Oldman has played an American many times before, although he is English. Wilkinson, on the other hand, is better off keeping to roles where he plays Brit rather than an Italian American wise-guy. Finally, Rutger Hauer makes a big comeback to mainstream Hollywood and seems like he will have a greater role at least in the next episode. Doesn't mean he is likely to play the JOKER. Cilian Murphy was decent as the Scarecrow. Looked like a girlish version of Tom Welling (Smallville) as the alter-ego, maybe just to show his shaky nature.
Good special effects, good acting, good direction, good story flow, and a great ending make this movie watchable and enjoyable.