Batman Begins Rocks!

I saw Batman Begins last night with a bunch of friends and I have to say it was intensely good. I would say it was excellent, but Katie Holmes' random character/performance keeps it from hitting that mark.

As my friend Laurie said, Batman Begins is the best Crime-fighting Super-hero Action Movie ever. It's the best Batman movie yet. And it's better than either Spiderman, for sure. War of the Worlds is going to have to be really impressive to outslug Batman for the early summer blockbuster.

Christian Bale makes a fantastic Bruce Wayne and a very good Batman. And he blends the two identities in a way that none of the three other Batman actors have been able to accomplish. That feat alone is worth the price of admission.

The action scenes were all shot in seemingly too-close in. Some have criticized this. In my opinion, it lends a kind of chaotic motion to the action scenes. We've become so used to the choreographed dance-fu of Crouching Tiger/Flying Daggers (or even Kung Fu Hustle) that it's become expected. In this movie, however, it seems innapropriate. And Batman's close-in struggles are vivid, exciting and give the grimier, grittier impression of an all-out melee.

The movie is almost 2-and-a-half hours long. I wasn't bothered by the length. They took the time to tell this story, pacing it beautifully and developing both Wayne and the Batman character.

Batman Begins is well acted, shot and directed. The characters are endearing, the storyline flows beautifully together. Do yourself a favor and go see this movie.

(I really hope that they can get Christian Bale and director Chris Nolan back to do another film. And, guys, next time leave Katie Holmes on the cutting room floor.)