The origins of Batman are explored and his life of fighting crime begins.

Rating: 8/10 (31 July 2005)

I've seen this movie twice now (a second time to get a few details I missed the first go 'round) and have liked it very much. The three-tiered structure of villainy is innovative and the dark vision for an understandably troubled man who becomes a crime fighter is thought-out and well-done. However, because the film moves at such a fast clip, both visually (the action scenes are quite something, if not a bit dizzying whilst I was sometimes trying to figure out exactly what was going on) and story-wise, the movie is a bit hard to follow in places. Still, this is the best screen adaptation about the Dark Knight I've seen yet, and I've seen 'em all. Christian Bale makes the best Batman, though Adam West from the 1960's TV series, with his tongue-and-cheek, overly serious manner, is still a close second. Michael Cain, great British thespian that he is, makes a perfect Alfred. Katie Holmes as the leading lady and Bruce Wayne's love interest is the only weak link in this movie. Otherwise, the cast, including Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, and Cillian Murphy is stellar.