Let me start by saying I don't usually get all worked up over movies (for good or bad). I've seen a lot of good ones, and a few that I really liked, maybe even loved. Generally, I'm the type of guy that finds something to like in nearly every movie I see. As a result, it takes a lot for me to really label a movie "bad". Oh sure, I've seen a couple stinkers but generally speaking they are few and far between.
Having said that, let me just say Batman Begins is unquestionably the best damn movie I have ever seen, period. It was absolutely incredible. I'm reluctant to delve into details for fear of spoiling the overall experience, so I'll try to be general.
Christian Bale was born to play Bruce Wayne/Batman. He's got the physical attributes, the look, the voice and the presence (in both personas) to pull it off. He was, in short, amazing. Michael Caine was also perfect in the role of Alfred.
Katie Holmes was irrelevant as an actress (which is how it should be), but she played her character well and was an important part of the story without detracting from it in any way. The same can be said for most of the star power in this movie, and there was PLENTY. Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Rutger Hauer, the list goes on and on. All of these people are incredibly talented, recognizeable names, and most importantly NONE of them competed for screen time. They all delivered solid performances, in important roles, without succumbing to the oneupsmanship that plagued the previous bat-movies (i.e. Tommy Lee Jones & Jim Carey, George Clooney & Arnold Schwartzenegger, etc...)
In case you've been living in a batcave of your very own for the past year, you probably already know that this movie deals primarily with the origin of Batman, hence the title... Batman Begins. You don't even see the suit for the first 60% of the movie. That's a good thing. This is a movie about becoming Batman, not just the early adventures of Batman. We witness the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, and the personal grief that nearly destroys Bruce long before Batman is even a subconscious thought in his nightmares.
The villains are extremely well played, and compliment the story nicely without overpowering it. Remember, this is Batman's story. Actually, more like Bruce Wayne's story initially. The villains are an integral part, but unlike the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher fiascos, they aren't the reason we're watching. It's all about the bat.
Gone is the campy scenery, corny one-liners, absurd props, rubber bat-nipples and all the other crap of the previous movies. The special effects and costuming are perfect. Not too much, not distracting, but exactly enough. The comic relief moments are exactly that... relief. The occasional funny moment serves to give us a second to breathe and relax, and smile, before being sucked back in to this intense, deep, dark movie. At no point do they get anywhere near the annoying or absurd moments of the previous films.
In short, this is the movie that Batman fans have been waiting for their entire lives. Spiderman was good. X-Men was good. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was great. This movie is phenomenal. If it's not the best movie I've ever seen, then it's certainly in the top 3. I'm so blown away at the moment, though, I can't even think of what two movies I'd rank above it. It's OMFG good.
The ending, and I mean the very ending, leaves the door wide open for a sequel. Will they make one? I have no idea. I hope they don't, but sadly, they probably will. I say sadly because I'm firmly convinced that there's no way they could ever make a sequel that could make me feel the way this movie did. It was even better than Star Wars Episode III (which you guys know I totally loved.) If they never make another Batman movie again, this one is significant enough to fill the void.
Lastly, if you've seen pictures of the batmobile and you're worried that you won't like it... trust me. You'll like it. The batmobile is a work of art, a thing of beauty. It handles like a cross between a hummer and a panther (and it sounds like a podracer). You're going to love it. Trust me.