Forget the other Batman movies, this is the true Batman movie

Rating: 8/10 (15 June 2005)

First I think I should tell you my knowledge of Batman, or rather my lack of knowledge. I've only seen the first four Batman movies, Batman: The Animated Series, and Batmam Beyond. I've never read the Batman comics. So now that we got that established, here's my point by point review, with minor spoilers:
Bruce Wayne's Parents: This was done very well, we learn that his father was a doctor, and that he entrusted the Wayne Corporation to people who were more interested. His father knew that the condition of the city was worsening, so he created a subway transportation system so that people can cheaply travel and become more acquainted with each other. Even though we don't learn much about his mother, you can tell that the father-son bond was very strong. Score: A
Bruce Wayne: Christian Bale is simply the best Bruce Wayne ever, there's no dispute about this. This guy is 6'2", the only actor along with Adams West that has played Batman who is actually Batman's true height. Not only is Bale the exact height of Batman, he's pumped as hell, the guy has some crazy biceps! He's so buff, he makes Michael Keaton look like a 12 year old girl, seriously. Score: A+
Ducard/The True Ra's Al Ghul: Easily my second favorite character in this movie. The ninjutsu training scenes were just too cool. We learn that his clan has cleaned up Rome and other cities when they became corrupted, and that he plans to clean up Gotham City. Score: A+
Rachel: She's a prosecutor, and she doesn't like how Gotham City is becoming increasingly corrupted. Katie Holmes is very beautiful here, and I like the part where she gives Bruce that present at the end. Not a very important character in this movie. Score: B
Alfred: He's Thomas Wayne's butler, eventually becomes Bruce Wayne's butler. He's serious, yet funny at the appropriate times. I liked the part where there's a waterfall inside the cave, Bruce calls him to come see it, and Alfred declines, saying "I can see it fine from here, thank you." Michael Caine had tough competition, I thought Michael Gough was great too. Score: B+
Jim Gordon: Not bad, nothing special, in my opinion Pat Hingle looked more the part. Score: C+
Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow: Brilliant performance by Cilian Murphy. I love the part where Scarecrow says "He's Here...The Batman". The hallucinogenic effects were well done. This guy has scary looking eyes. In Batman: The Animated Series, Scarecrow was portrayed as a skinny guy, yet very dangerous. This is exactly how it's done in Batman Begins, perfect. Score: A+
Carmine Falcone: Great performance here by Tom Wilkinson. The scene at the restaurant was sweet. Score: A-
Lucius Fox: Nicely done by Morgan Freeman. Everyone laughed when he said "Didn't you get the memo?" Score: A
Batman: No doubt about it, Christian Bale is the best Batman ever, at least for the movies that is. His height, his body, his fighting technique, his Batman voice, all perfect. The part where he ties up the corrupt cop and has him dangling upside down, Bale's voice was so dark and scary. Oh and the part where he's in the train fighting Ra's Al Ghul and he screams "How about this!," the voice was just perfect. The only voice for Batman better than Bale's is Kevin Conroy from Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond. Score: A+
Tumbler/Batmobile: At first I wasn't too sure about it, I didn't like the brown color, but thankfully Bruce asks "Does it come in black?" with a grin. This thing is just too cool. I like the batmobile too, so it's hard for me to say which one is better, I'd give a slight edge to the batmobile. I give it a B+
Storyline: This is a huge shining point for this movie. We learn that Bruce is partly to blame for his parents' deaths, if he hadn't been scared of the bats he would have not have asked to leave the theater early, and thus their deaths would have been prevented at least for that night. He holds himself responsible for their deaths, and he grows up objective less, mindlessly fighting criminals to make himself feel better, that is until he meets his mentor, Ra's Al Ghul.
I don't want to spoil the whole movie, but I think I should tell you that Batman doesn't appear until 40-50 minutes into the movie. But don't worry, his past life and training scenes are so well done that you will be wishing it was even longer. Trust me, you will love this movie. Score: A+
Soundtrack: I love the soundtrack, Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard outdid themselves. Can't wait to receive mines from Amazon. "Mollosus" is genius. Danny Elfman's score was great too, but his score was thematic, the Batman Begins score is much darker, perfect for Batman. Score : A
Is this movie suitable for children? : I must admit I jumped several times during this movie. Batman is downright scary here, never before has he been this dark in the movies, I love it. The Scarecrow scenes might be too scary for those under 10. I think a 10 year old child can handle this movie.
Advertising: Here is where I'm very disappointed. I've hardly seen any advertisements for this movie. To make things worse, neither McDonalds, Burger King, nor Taco Bell are promoting this movie. Sure, word of mouth will help this movie, but it shouldn't rely on just that. Come on, start advertising. Even that failure Batman & Robin got better advertisement than this. Score: E
Overall score for Batman Begins: I loved it, best Batman movie ever, I want to see it again in the theaters. Can't wait for the DVD. Score: A+