So well written and acted, I really didn't know what to do with myself

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2005)

I can't remember the last time a "geek" movie took itself so seriously. Well, OK, I can. It was Lord of the Rings. Coincidentally, these are the best genre films of the last decade. I can't remember ever being so engaged in a character as I was Bruce Wayne/Batman. Christian Bale deserves serious props.
Christopher Nolan is so...solid in his directing. If you look at his small body of work, he gets awesome toned down performances from traditionally over the top actors. With "Insomnia" it was Robin Williams and Al Pacino. Here it's Gary Oldman.
Nolan makes otherwise preposterous premises become believable. It's the same philosophy as Lord of the Rings. Those films were written and treated on film as if they were actually historically based films - like "Saving Private Ryan" or something.
I think that is the best way to shoot a comic book movie. Take yourself seriously. I think from the latest box office receipts we can tell that people are tired of pretty pictures and explosions for the sake of pretty pictures and explosions. We want a reason to care. It's all about making your film believable and engaging from a character standpoint. Batman Begins is the first ever comic book film, I believe, in which I was truly drawn into the world, the characters, and made to care "what happens next". I was stunned. Bravo Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, and good Lord, don't forget Michael Caine! He was BRILLIANT. Wow, i loved this movie, and if it's any indication, this is the first time I've commented on IMDb since...well, Fight Club.