Batman begins anew, and none too soon to build on a solid franchise that lost its way. Batman Begins isn't completely separate from the other Batman films. It has the same backstory, and possibly leads into the 1989 Batman with Michael Keaton as the winged hero.

I actually liked that first one more than this one, and still think Keaton is the best Batman. Kim Basinger as the love interest and Jack Nicholson as the Joker only made it that much better. Begins is darker in a good way, but you won't get any lines like "Have you ever dance with the devil by the pale moonlight?"

That's not to disparage this effort at all. It's a very good effort, and Christian Bale mixes billionaire playboy well with Dark Knight old-soul mystery. He even changes his voice under the mask, and doesn't look anything like Bruce in the get-up, so unlike many other superheroes **coughClarkKentcough** he could get away with intimate contact with locals and not worrying about being found out.

	So when I pull this thingamabob and squeeze this doohickey, it causes some really cool batsh*t?

Compared to Joel Schumacher's embarrassing Batman & Robin, it's really not even fair to compare the two, seeing as how Nolan was able to use a supporting cast as talented as Gary Oldman (as not-yet-commissioner Gordon), Michael Caine (as Alfred), Morgan Freeman, Tom Wilkinson and Liam Neeson.

Mobster Wilkinson owns the city, but still not the worst of the lot. Caine's Alfred has sass fused with wisdom and support. This movie could be called Gordon Begins, too. Oldman does his typical virtuoso immersion into a role, this one a normal middle-aged good cop turned champion under extraordinary circumstances.

The best hire of them all, Freeman is Bruce's Q, supplying all kinds of cool gadgets, none as cool as the new Batmobile, less sports car and more tank-like dune buggy with a really awesome forward reclining motion for tight spots. Still, this is a 21st century world, and his most important accessory is his cell phone.

Director Christopher Nolan's only well-known effort was the critically acclaimed Memento, and brings the same gritty effort to re-imagine the Batman franchise from the start. No nipples, no hammy Jim Carrey or stiff sidekick Chris O'Donnell as Robin. Our Dark Knight has serious issues, as much as his beloved and volatile Gotham City.

Pow! Bang! Zoom! The film sounds great and packs plenty of oomph!, for lack of better onomatopoeia. The music fits the dark mood, though it isn't as memorable or Jeff's-CD-player-worthy as Danny Elfman's score back in '89.

The biggest difference in this Batman flick is the revelation how Bruce became so skilled and acquired all of his cool widgets. A trust fund orphan, lost in his anger and living in Asia, even doing some crimes to get by, he ends up Neeson's padawan learner, learning how to transfer his anger to be a better fighter and become a legend. Although, the intentions of everyone involved is questionable, and the League of Shadows lives there, too.

Most importantly, the constant focus is confronting fear, which leads to the Dark Side. And so does compassion, strangely. Sure, such an underlying theme could be an after-school special where stoned 15-year-olds sit on their car and discuss whether justice can be served in a corrupt system or whether people should take vengeance in their own hands. But it's more, turning on a universal idea that those who can idea, should.

Plus, it's wicked awesome when the bad guys get in deep guano when Bruce returns with as a righteous vigilante.

Back home in New York Gotham, Bruce's girl is Tom Cruise's brainwashed fiancee, Katie Holmes, an idealistic attorney who won't be bought by the bad guys. Shockingly, she ends up in the middle of the trouble and Batman has to come to the rescue.

You think I'm kidding when I say it was surprising, but in today's modern Hollywood super-chick culture, I can't believe that Katie doesn't end up as a heroine saving fifty people from a burning building or taking down five bad guys with her high heels, with a witty line to boot, like "Don't mess with a woman whose feet hurt!" Okay, not witty, so feel free to get your money back from visiting my site.

About the only negative I came up with, a few times I couldn't help but notice that a few loose ends were left untied, and I'd ask, "yeah, that was exciting, but whatever happened to ...?"

Otherwise, this is Batman done right: A gritty hero, brilliant supporting cast, dark Gotham City, fearsome residents walking around like zombies and Rutger Hauer. Exactly.