This is how you reboot a major franchise

Rating: 9/10 (26 October 2011)

From the casting and writing to its tone and direction, "Batman Begins" is just rock solid in every way. It's the impressive end result of new blood being injected into a franchise that was effectively beaten into the ground with a shovel (I'm looking at you, Schumacher).
Finally, we get a big screen treatment that focuses on the title character (with the exception of the terrific "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm"). Essentially an adaptation of Frank Miller's seminal graphic novel "Batman: Year One", the film focuses on Bruce Wayne's childhood trauma of witnessing his parents gunned down in a dark alley. We follow his rigorous journey and training into his eventual rise as a vigilante crusader for justice in a city that's choking on its own corruption.
The genius of the script (written by David Goyer and Christopher Nolan) is that it slowly builds, piece by piece, an otherwise simple origin story, but with its own narrative drive to keep us watching until the big payoff (the first appearance of Batman in costume). We don't even see the makings of the outfit until 50 minutes in - but we're so enamored of these well-written characters that the buildup is self-sustaining.
Another wise move is on the part of the villains. The Scarecrow (Cilian Murphy) may seem an unlikely pick as the (seemingly) central villain - especially out of Batman's expansive rogues gallery - but pairing him with the city's crime boss Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson) as pawns in a larger scheme is a welcome change of pace from the usual "Let's team up to destroy Batman!" line of uniting villains.
And from a casting perspective, the film is top-notch. Christian Bale dons the black cowl this time around, bringing the necessary intensity required to pull off the emotional turmoil and militaristic resolve of the Dark Knight. Michael Caine was wisely cast as his closest ally and butler Alfred, bringing a welcome humanity to what could so easily be a throwaway role in lesser hands. Perfectly cast as James Gordon is Gary Oldman (the man was born to play Gordon). Even background players Morgan Freeman and Rutger Hauer are heavy-hitters. The only weak link in the chain is Katie Holmes - though, to her credit, she's playing the moralizer-turned damsel in distress. Not a lot to work with. And as well-cast as Bale is in the title role, he's only outmatched by Liam Neeson, who just sizzles in every one of his scenes.
All in all, a very well-done film, assembled with care and professionalism.
9/10