Exceeded my expectations

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2005)

After having been through two mediocre-at-best Batman films, I must say, this film is remarkable. Regardless of how true it remains to the comics/cartoons/whatever, after seeing it you will feel that this is the way Batman was always meant to be portrayed. That said, I'd like to refrain from comparing this incarnation to the two Tim Burton films, Batman and Batman Returns. Those two had a style all on their own, and all three films are very good.
Christian Bale is a very convincing Bruce Wayne and an excellent Batman. Stellar performances from most of the cast (especially Neeson, Caine, and Oldman) as well as top-notch storytelling maintain the realism and allure of this Batman story. Nearly every element of the Batman persona and Bruce Wayne character is explained very well, and after seeing the film once, I noticed no glaring plot holes. There are also moments of humor, but they are few, and they are tastefully done. The jokes inserted here and there do not distract from the drama at all.
If there are to be any sequels to this film (as there inevitably are), I can only hope that they will have the same main cast and crew, and have the same superb acting and storytelling of Batman Begins.