When the new Batman film was announced, I was excited but apprehensive after the two previous films were so disappointing. I can still watch Batman Forever, but I loathe Batman & Robin. I can't stand George Clooney in most things, and the Robin character I've never really liked. Batman is the ultimate hardass, he doesn't need to have a whining kid following him about. And don't even get me started on the campy-gayness of Schumacher's interference in the franchise - bat nipples anyone??

So I was really pleased when it premiered and the wonderful reviews for it started to come in. And although I didn't end up getting to the theatre to see it, mostly because the theatre prices here are just obnoxious now ($15 for an adult - I can get a new release video for $8), the day it came out on DVD I purchased it immediately. I loved every minute of this film. Sure it's a little slow starting, but it's an origin story so you expect a certain amount of exposition to these things.

Still this is one of the best origin stories I've ever seen on film. It's very well done, cutting back and forth between the past and present, but always with an eye on presenting Batman as a reality. There are no sculpted bat nipples, no cars covered in neon, just functional design that could exist. The Tumbler is quite possibly the most aggressive powerful car I've ever seen, and what guy wouldn't want one? Everything is developed and explained in a believable manner, that really helps to ground the film in a reality, a 'this guy could really be real' feeling.

I'm looking forward to a sequel, which should be something pretty cool now that the origin baggage is out of the way. The hint at the end towards the Joker appearing was pretty cool. I just hope they don't kill the Joker at the end of the movie like the other films did, since Batman never kills the Joker, just sends him back to Arkham Asylum.

The casting is really inspired as well, lots of big name quality actors who do excellent work, with the exception of Katie Holmes who is a bit meh. Gary Oldman in particular looks and acts like Gordon, and Christian Bale is also a very believable Batman. Caine, Neeson, and Freeman are fantastic as always.

Well recommended, certainly the pinnacle of modern superhero films at this time.

Plot Synopsis:

Young Bruce Wayne plays in the yard of his parents mansion with a friend when he falls into a hole in the ground filled with menacing bats.

Later Bruce is an adult imprisoned in a Chinese jail, when thugs attempt to kill him. He brutally beats them down and is placed in solitary. A man, Henry Ducard, approachs Wayne and offers him training, with what Bruce comes to discover is the League of Shadows.

Bruce recalls being rescued from the cave by his father Thomas, and later taken to the opera. During the performance he becomes scared of the bat-like performers on stage and asks to leave. As the Waynes step outside into an alley, a gunman robs and kills Bruce's parents.

After Wayne is released he travels to the mountains, to a monastery where he is trained in the ninja arts by Ducard. Henry helps Bruce to face his fears, and gives him the skills he will later use to avenge his parents.

Bruce recalls trying to kill the man that murdered his parents but failing. When he confronts Carmine Falcone, a local mobster about his involvement in the death of the Wayne's, Bruce is beaten. Bruce decides to head out into the world to experience crime, and gain an understanding of the criminal mind. He lives as a criminal for awhile, training and gaining experience, before he is captured and incarcerated.

When Ducard reveals he is working for Ras Al Ghul (The Demons Head), and tries to induct Bruce into the League of Shadows so that he may destroy the crime-ridden Gotham City, Bruce declines and a fight ensues. The monastery is destroyed, but not before Bruce has saved Henry's life.

Returning to Gotham City, Bruce finds Wayne Enterprise's has become less philanthropic and more money grubbing, producing military weapons instead of products that improve people's lives. Bruce insinuates himself back into society, and slowly builds his plans. Creating an identity that will strike fear and create an aura of myth around him, he begins building the Batman. Lucius Fox from Wayne Tech helps by providing Bruce with various pieces of equipment and technology that he uses to build his batsuit etc.

Batman begins to take on organised crime in the city, forging links with Detective Jim Gordon, and slowly brings justice to the organized crime element in the city. As he investigates he finds that there are connections to something much larger, and he crosses paths with Jonathan Crane aka. The Scarecrow.

Gradually it is revealed that Henry Ducard is really Ras Al Ghul, as he spreads Scarecrows fear toxin through Gotham's water supply network, and then attempts to spread it through the city with the help of a stolen microwave emitter device.

Batman battles Ras Al Ghul, ultimately stopping him with the help of Jim Gordon. The city is ultimately saved, but there's still a lot of work to do. Wayne's mansion was destroyed, but Alfred will help him make some 'improvements'. He recovers Wayne Tech from the shark that was running it, and places Lucius Fox in charge. And Jim Gordon asks Batman for help with a new villain, handing him a Joker playing card left at the scene of the crimes.