Unconventional conventional blockbuster

Rating: 9/10 (17 June 2005)

So much has been covered in all the reviews so far that I will keep this short and sweet.
Many art house movies aspire to Hollywood greatness; Batman Begins is a Hollywood blockbuster with art house aspirations. Turning the hero/villain action film formula on its head in this manner works exceptionally well here in the hands of Christopher Nolan & company, who have put together a film where no matter how packed the action, no matter how much Cee-Gee-Eye Candy crowds the frame, plot and character hold forth as the principal driving force from start to finish.
Christian Bale acquits himself admirably well here, and the many familiar faces in the supporting cast provide impressive depth and nuance working in an ensemble context. One standout is Cillian Murphy, who is either rivetingly creepy or creepily riveting depending on your point of view.
The cinematography is gorgeously noir and the sound design and score do a phenomenal job of setting the tone of the film (hey, how can you go wrong with BOTH Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard working in tandem on the compositions). There is as much ear candy as there is eye candy in this production, thanks to a crack team of foley atists and sound design pros.
Regardless of whether you're a die-hard Batfan or have simply been jaded too many times by Hollywood excesses typical of productions like these, you will find a lot to like in this movie.