Eight years I have waited for a new Batman movie, but all my life have I waited for a Batman movie that finally got it right. Guess what? The wait is over, and I couldn’t be happier. Director Christopher Nolan and Screenwriter David S.Goyer did it. This Batman is the best, and most accurate interpretation I have ever seen put to film to date. Man, where do I begin?

Nolan has stated that the film’s style was based on Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, and it shows, in spades. It’s dark, visceral, and intense, effectively bringing the perfect mood to the piece. Nolan’s style of storytelling also appears, as past and present storylines pace back and forth and eventually merge at one point…the birth of Batman. I always have loved the editing done on Nolan’s films, and here it brings such psychological storytelling intensity to this character. The character’s first appearance in costume (he’s got a real utility belt now!) to scare the life out of a group of thugs does just that. It’s like something out of a horror movie, and its awesome.

Nolan and Goyer have constructed a strong story that shows the very best elements from the Batman comics, all the while making you believe in the film’s sense of realism. There’s a beautiful character twist near the end that is just brilliant, and foreshadowing at the very end of the film about a possible future villain. But with Batman himself, all his best mannerisms are here. The disappearing act he pulls off with Gordon, the deep grunt voice he uses when in costume, his hatred of guns, and his ultimate psychology of believing that Bruce Wayne is the mask, Batman is who he really is. The fact they explore the real origin does justice (the murder scene with the parents is much more intense than what we’ve seen before, now with Joe Chill as the murderer). Gotham City is now a real city, not a Tim Burton fantasyland, or a Joel Schumacher neon construct. It’s even geographically accurate when the Arkham Asylum inmates (which include Batman’s villain version of Hannibal Lecter, Mr. Zsasz) run loose on the island area.

The cast is stupendously perfect. Every actor in every significant character role aces it. Bale is strong as both Wayne and Batman. This is something the previous actors lacked as they had more luck playing one persona better than the other. Michael Caine is an excellent Alfred, strong in character and with a sarcastic concern for his master. Liam Neeson is masterfully brilliant in his role as Ducard, a character that you can never tell where his allegiances are, or his true motives. Cillian Murphy embodies The Scarecrow with frightening accuracy. Gary Oldman is accurately the pro-active cop James Gordon, the only friend and ally Batman has. Even Katie Holmes (I can’t believe I’m going to say this) plays a strong Batman love-interest. Morgan Freeman’s chemistry with Bale is also a treat, providing many of the lighter moments the film has to offer. It’s another great pacing technique, as the film does often have moments of light humor and dialogue to relieve the serious tension, however brief. But it never once becomes campy, or corny, and I say hallelujah.

This DVD package, the 2 Disc Deluxe Edition, is packed with the most goodies (as opposed to the other single Widescreen and Fullscreen versions offered). On Disc 1 you can find one of the theatrical trailers (it’s a shame the teaser and the second theatrical are not present, they were fun to watch as well), along with the useless MTV spoof used at their movie awards that features Jimmy Fallon and Napoleon Dynamite’s Jon Heder. Shamefully, there is no DTS track (although the 5.1 Surround is impressive), and no commentary tracks to be found. I personally would have loved one with Nolan, Goyer, and Bale. The film itself is gorgeous in image and presentation, and it’s a blast watching it now in its digital glory.

On Disc 2 is where Bat-fanatics can find the good stuff. First off, you’re going to get a creative menu featuring an original comic book piece that you have to turn page by page. Each page contains a feature, confidential files, or hidden easter eggs (which range from stunt tests, to CGI tests) that you have to find within the artwork or the text. Once you reach the end of the tale, a single menu will appear a listing of all the features, in cased you missed any initially.

Batman – The Journey Begins covers initial concept, design, film development, and the casting of Batman himself. Shaping Mind And Body focuses on Christian Bale’s physical commitment to transforming himself into a fan acceptable Batman, as well as the distinct fighting style used for the action sequences and choreography. Batman – The Tumbler goes deep into the new reinvented monster known these days as the Batmobile, and after watching the feature you will ache to drive the thing yourself. Gotham City Rises showcases the art department’s creation of Gotham City, the Batcave, Wayne Manor, and more. Saving Gotham City features the development of miniatures CGI, and visual effects for the monorail chase scene. Cape and Cowl gives you a behind the scenes look as to what it takes to make the current Batman costume. Path To Discovery highlights the troubles of filming in Iceland during Bruce’s training. The Confidential Files gives you information on every weapon, vechicle, and person involved in Batman’s universe for this film. Normally I would skip past the Art Gallery on a DVD but this one has the beautiful images that were used for all of the posters and advertisements for the film, there is even a section of ones that were not used and they are fascinating pieces of artwork never seen before. It is Genesis of The Bat that will have the hardcore comic fans foaming at the mouth, as the feature explores the direct comic book works that influenced the creation of Batman Begins. It also provides a preview of a new Bat-title being released by fan favorite Batman artist Jim Lee, and fan favorite Batman writer Frank Miller.

Accompanying this 2 Disc package, is a prestigious mini-comic book that contains a few stories that were highlighted in Genesis of The Bat, including a tale from "The Man Who Falls" (which was the first story to shed light on Bruce’s training years), and "The Long Halloween" (which is where the creators took ideas for Scarecrow and Carmine Falcone).