The defining Batman movie so far. Superb!

Rating: Null/10 (23 October 2005)

June 2014 update: Just watched it again on Blu-ray and it still holds up ver well.
January 2011 update: I watched it on Blu-ray and the additional clarity and sound are definitely worth it for a movie like this.
July 2008 update: We watched this again today as a prelude to the new one, 'Dark Knight', hitting local screens today. My opinion of this one has not changed!
I rarely buy DVD movies anymore, what with my public library's vast collection for free, and the absolute dearth of worthwhile movies the past few years. But I bought this one, the deluxe special edition, such was my anticipation of a superb movie.
I was not disappointed. If anything, it is even better than I had hoped. I am still a fan of the other Batman movies, but this one is on another level by itself.
As the title suggests, this Batman movie really is the story of how it all begins. From the experiences of Bruce Wayne, the child, to Bruce Wayne who begins to fight crime and accept his new role as savior of crumbling Gotham City. It has less of a comic book flair, more of a real gritty look at a mortal man learning the skills to become a super hero, cuts and bruises and all.
Christian Bale was so good as the skinny machinist in the movie of that name, he is quite a contrast here as the muscular but svelte Bruce Wayne/Batman. I think Michael Caine was a perfect choice to play his loyal assistant Alfred.
The essence of Bruce Wayne's preparation for his crime fighting role is in a far away place in snowy mountains, where he is mentored by the character played by Liam Neeson. Much later, this character shows up as a menace that must be defeated.
I believe Katie Holmes has received unfair criticism as Rachel Dawes, the childhood friend of Bruce's who now works in the DA's office. I enjoyed her role in the movie and think it fits well.
I am so used to seeing Gary Oldman play a bad guy, it was refreshing to see him as the good cop who, in the end, becomes a key player in Batman's fight against the men who want to destroy Gotham.
Always dependable Morgan Freeman turns in another perfect performance as Lucius Fox, smart and loyal employee of Wayne Industries, under-appreciated until the very end, and who helps Bruce Wayne assemble much of his fighting toys and Batmobile.
(As an aside, it is interesting that so many actors from Europe were playing 'American' roles with American accents, including Christian Bale, Rutger Hauer, Tom Wilkinson, and Gary Oldman, but they all pulled them off quite well.)
"Batman Begins" - a new favorite of mine. The DVD picture and sound are great as expected, with very nice and interesting extras.
SPOILERS -- SPOILERS. As Bruce Wayne begins to realize and accept his mission, the crisis arrives in the form of bad guys, led by Neeson's character, planning to destroy Gotham by putting a debilitating chemical into the water supply. But it only is activated via the lungs, so they also steal a powerful microwave generator which can vaporize water in the water supply. Bruce and a couple of others get inoculation, the plot is foiled by Batman, assisted when the high speed train carrying the generator is made to crash and the villain is also destroyed. At the end, Batman gets the calling card for his next nemesis, 'The Joker.'