I'm Not Saying That, But.........

Ok, if you are immune to opinions and don't let them influence your own....then read on. If you like superhero movies in general and want to hear a positive review...the read on. If you think Batman can kick anyone's butt any day....then read on. If you like movies by Christopher Nolan—"Memento" and "Insomnia" are two...then read on. If you think movies are not over until the credits are through.....then read on.

This might be a stretch—and please don't think I'm dissing Tim Burton—but I think "Batman Begins" is the best Batman movie made so far.

Yep...I said it. I saw it today and I was blown away. Let me tell you what happened:

You are thrown right into things with a stately Young Bruce Wayne, not at Stately Wayne Manor.....but instead in some prison in Asia. Kinda weird..but you understand later that he's there learning the 'ways' of criminals; Not actually committing crimes. Well, he's visited in jail by QuiGon Jinn.....who apparently did not die at the LightSaber of Darth Maul but instead became head of a secret clan of ninjas who take it upon themselves to rid the world of crime (or, if you think of it in Jedi terms: to maintain peace in the galaxy). So QuiGon, a.k.a. Alfred Kinsey (or for you non-cinephiles "Liam Neeson") guides Bruce to their hideout and there is some ninja stuff. (I think The Shredder studied here, too.)

Well, after a few years Bruce decides to return home (oh, by the way.....his parents were killed when he was a kid—in case you didn't know that part of the story [although every incarnation of the story has a different person kill them....either The Joker or just some thug]) and help Gotham City with all it's problems.

With the help of Mississippi's own playboy Morgan Freeman, Bruce puts together his arsenal of BatSuits and BatGuns and BatWhatsits. He's ready to kick some butt and take some names.

Once it seems like Batman has stopped the bad guy and all is well...you realize he just stopped someone working UNDER the bigger bad guy and there's more action and fun. Oh, and Commissioner Gordon makes his appearance as an out-of-place yet very good Gary Oldman. Man, this movie is just packed with star power!

The basic theme of this film is overcoming your fears for the good of others. Like any good SuperHero movie it's very human and works better on a character-driven level. That bit didn't exactly work for Hulk, though.

Ok, one thing that you would think I would have a problem with would be story continuity and coherence. No no no, this one worked fine....I'm talking about between the 5 Batman movies. B/c this was 'Batman Begins', they were able to re-work things and retool the Batman franchise. Basically nothing in this one coincided with the other films (George Lucas would freak out, huh?!) but instead set a new tone. The Joker didn't kill the Waynes, Batman didn't make his first appearance as a 40-year-old Michael Keaton, Wayne Manor was rebuilt after it burned down, and The Joker was already doing his dirty deeds when Bruce became Batman (hint hint: wait till the end of the film). I don't know the true comic book/original story of Batman but I know what I've seen in the films and I know what I like.

Christopher Nolan is not an action director.....he directs more independent-type films. However, he did a fantastic job!

(Actually, I technically didn't see the movie b/c we had to leave before the credits were over.......dammit, now I have to go see it again.)

So, if you care at all about Batman and the Batman franchise........just forget you ever heard of Joel Shumacher and embrace ......well, I guess 'the beginning?' Anyway......Batman Begins.