Finally done right!

Rating: 10/10 (27 June 2005)

After years of failed Batman movies and a franchise that almost sunk itself, it's very refreshing to say that "Batman Begins" proves to be a winning entry to the series of films that have preceded it.
Dark, stylish, well acted and directed, "Batman Begins" should prove pleasing to both the die hard Batman fans, as well as just the regular movie-goer.
Quick Plot summary: We begin with Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) at a refugee camp, being held as a prisoner convicted of theft. He is recruited by Ducard (Liam Neeson), who advises him that he would like him to train with Kung Fu Master Ra's Al Ghul (Ken Watanabe) when he gets released the next day.
After being released Bruce travel to Ra's Al Ghul mansion where he learns how to be a Kung Fu master capable of kicking some serious booty.
After his long absence (7 years) from Gotham, and with the city in peril; Bruce decides to travel home with hopes of rebuilding his childhood town. During this process he decides that in order to save the city, he must do so undiscovered; and through a series of events our beloved Batman is born.
He enlists the help of Alfred (Michael Caine) and a co-worker of Wayne enterprises Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) to help him build his bat cave; gadgets and assorted gizmos.and of course his awesome Batmobile.
He then sets out to stop Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson), the cities corrupt crime boss & also Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy) a.k.a "The Scarecrow" who have been reeking havoc and skillfully avoiding any prosecution from deputy D.A. Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), who also happens to be Bruce Wayne's childhood playmate/crush.
"Batman Begins" is edgy and well polished, with some nice fleshed out character development and some great acting. Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow is quite a nightmarish vision, and Wikinson's crime boss Carmine Falcone is as scandalous as they get.
Bale does a great (if not the best) job as "The Dark Knight" and Caine proves himself to be a most worthy and caring Alfred. The actions scenes are pretty awesome as well, as is the look of Gotham city. The film leaves us with the possibility of a sequel as well, including the mention of one of Batman's most notorious villains. One can only hope that Joel Schumacher doesn't get anywhere near it! Just a great superhero film all the way arounddefinitely recommended!