This latest incarnation of the Batman series is good. Really good. Probably the closest thing to what the comic-book version of Batman is.

In the 60's we were tortured with the Adam West/Burt Ward casting of Batman and Robin. To call it “campy” is to call an amputated leg “a scratch”.

Then we had the painful Michael Keaton Batman – everything about that movie (except the brilliant performance of Jack Nicholson) was not that good. And until “Batman Begins”, it was the BEST Batman movie. The Val Kilmer Batman sucked, and I heard such bad things about the George Clooney Batman that I didn't even see it. That's probably for the best.

In a move of brilliance not unlike the casting of then unknown Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in “X-Men”, Christian Bale was cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman. He's believable as both Bruce Wayne and as Batman (without having to rely on the costume to be Batman…he just IS).

Also, the supporting cast (although it's damn close to an ensemble cast, IMO) is brilliant: Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Cillian Murphy (damn…those eyes!). The only casting I didn't like was Katie Holmes. No, it's not because of the whole “TomKat” thing…she just didn't fit the role of the “female love interest”. There was no chemistry between her and Bale and she came across as helpless when her role could've been a pretty strong one. I would have rather have seen Sarah Michelle Gellar or Natalie Portman (two actress who were up for it) in that role.

The ending leaves it wide open for a sequel, and the rumors are that Christopher Nolan wants to do a “trilogy” of this new Batman. We'll see. Trilogies can either be amazing (LOTR) or horrible (Matrix).

But it is a movie worth seeing this year. Oh…and DC Comics had to totally rip off the Marvel Comics movie logo introduction thingy.