Batman Begins...starring in a decent film at long last

Rating: 10/10 (29 June 2005)

Finally, a decent Batman film. I hope Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher watched this film and took notes on how to do it right. I also hope they feel deeply ashamed of the tawdry crap they've dished up previously. Everything in this film made sense. Where Batman got his stuff, why he needed it, how it works, not just using gadgets that look good. Gone are the stupid moments like Batman stepping out in front of his remote controlled car and having it stop precisely before it breaks his shins (Batman). Gone are ludicrous bad guys possessing a remote control that lets them dismantle his super car, even though there is no possible way they could get this remote or make one (Batman Returns). I could recite example after example of how bad these other Batmans are (even in a pure escapism sense), but I'm getting off the point which is to pour praise on Batman Begins. Batman is finally placed in realistic (at least film realistic) conditions. He is finally the Dark Knight in many senses. Batman is also finally the main character, not just an aside for stupid bad guys. The supporting cast here too is brilliant, with possible exception of Katie Holmes. She's okay, but she still looks like a kid. Anyway, Burton, Schumacher, if you can't match Mr. Nolan, then retire and do us all a favour.