Batman Begins-Just Damn Good!

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2005)

I work the graveyard shift, but put off going to sleep, just to catch a noon showing opening day and I have to say it blew me away. Even without batman's appearance in the first hour, you are still captured by the visuals and story of Bruce Wayne discovering himself. Just as Spielberg eludes us with the shark in Jaws, so here does director Noland show only brief glimpses of the dark knight until he is finally revealed in a great movie introduction.
Major praises goes to the casting director who put together an amazing cast here. Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Ken Wantanbe, Michael Caine, and the always great screen presence-Liam Neeson. Christian Bale was born to play this role. I have nothing against Michael Keaton, but Bale's dark on dark characterization is essential to escape the hammy, nipple-suited wearing George Clooney.
Director Nolan has join my ranks of favorite director alongside Lucas, Spielberg, Cameron, Ridley Scott. Nolan's dark atmospheric approach is well-suited to the film.
I had my doubts at first about the film, but all that went away as soon as you see the Dark Knight perched on the rooftops of Gothman accompanied by Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard's fantastic score.
This is not a sequel, not a prequel. Its a reinvention of the Dark Knight's legacy and oh, its so good!