The return of Batman in a real-world based film, finally!

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2005)

After decades of cartoony, outlandish, and down right crazy Batman films we finally are given Batman Begins.
OK, to clear some things up: 1) This is a Batman movie, but nothing like the others before it. Therefore, this is the start (or a renewal) of a franchise. 2) Most of the characters, storyline, etc. can all be found in the graphic novels of late, as well as some content from the animated television series from a few years back. 3) This is probably not a movie for the kids to see. Not that it is violent, or scary, but they just wouldn't understand everything that was going on.
So I'm just going to answer some general questions and solve some possible problems some people may have with this movie.
1) Cristian bale does an excellent job as Batman, much better than I (or my friends) had predicted. He fit the part perfectly both as Batman and as Bruce Wayne. Morgan Freeman's character Fox rocks the friggin house, as well as Miachel Caine as Alfred... Once again, it seemed like they were meant to play their parts.
2) This new batmobile is awesome. It is not a sports car, but is does everything the others have done before, and IMO it looks better too.
3) After all the Marvel comic movies have been released, Batman did his homework and finally has a film based in the real world. People drive real cars with Illinois license plates, you see parts of the Chicagoland area, Chinese soldiers are easy to see early in the movie, etc. This definitely made the movie seem more realistic in every way.
My only complaints are how slow the movie progresses towards the climax, and the "boss battles" that almost seem to be resolved too quickly. The Scarecrow was not all that scary, and the special bad guy battle is over before it even starts. Pay attention in the last few minutes of the movie... There is a special little hint as to what the next installment will be about... Friggin sweet!