It's funny that I should run across this question, because about 5 hours ago I just watched 'The Dark Knight' movie again. Bear with me because my answer does have a point ;) I just have to give some basis to why I'm answering like I am. I'm a girl who happens to be a huge sci-fi fantasy junky - movies, books and tv (favorite tv show: 'Supernatural'). I used to work in a comic book store. In movies I'll watch just about anything sci-fi/fantasy (dragons, aliens, comic related, etc), But when it comes to books, I prefer mythology (dragons, wizards, knights) or odd-ball stories like Gaiman's 'Neverwhere' or Bradbury, don't care to read about aliens/space. My favorite book of all time, no contest, is 'The Lord Of The Rings' (all three parts - because any Ringer will tell you - technically, it really is only supposed to be ONE book, not a 'trilogy', Watching or reading one part/book without the other two can be done - but it really is pointless.) Having said this, the funny thing is, no one of 'The Lord Of The Rings' movies is my favorite movie - even though Peter Jackson did an unbelievable job and did the book justice. My all-time favorite movie (which is another sci-fi/fantasy based on a comic) is the classic movie 'The Crow' (the original version). If you haven't seen it, add it to your to-do list. This movie was a pioneer in its day, paving the way for such movies as the Dark Knight trilogy. My biggest problem with Batman is he never really seems to get the full kudos be deserves. Unfortunately, there is this darkness that follows him his whole life (the Batman comics were not light & fluffy like the tv series & earlier movies depicted them). It seems like he is constantly trying to prove his good, only to get overshadowed by evil. Even though Christian Bale's (speaking of Christian Bale - I really liked 'Reign Of Fire') character survives at the end of the last movie everyone else believes Batman is dead, except for Catwoman and Alfred, At least in 'The Crow' it's pretty cut and dry: he's a vigilante (of sorts) - he comes back from the dead to exact revenge on all the people associated with his fiancee and his death. There's no question as to where his loyalties lie. Poor Batman gets dogged at every turn - he never seems to lose the shadow that looms over him. You could almost compare his character to Frodo - he has the burden of carrying & destroying the One Ring, and only his closest friends are the ones who realize what a great burden he bears - that the fate of their lives rests in his hands. I hope you can get past the time thing with the LOTR movies. They DO NOT feel like long movies when you're watching them - the time flies. I'd be VERY surprised, if once you finished the first one, that you weren't anxious to watch the second and then the third. If you ever finally take the plunge and decide to watch the LOTR movies, you should watch the uncut versions with the deleted scenes. It doesn't add a lot of time to the movie(s) and is definitely worth it - if you know the book, then you'll appreciate the deleted scenes - if you don't know the books, then it fills in some of the gaps in the storyline for you. DO NOT watch 'The Hobbit' first. To me, TDK and LOTR are two different styles/approaches to the genre and they are both great in their own ways. But, if I had to pick one, it absolutely goes to LOTR - sorry to say, there is no comparison. The LOTR movie is epic - and unless you see it, there's no way to convey how spectacular it really is - and UNTIL you see it, you shouldn't knock it, nor can you justify a judgment against it. You might end up watching LOTR and still think that TDK is a better movie, but you might end up liking LOTR just as much, if not better. You're totally entitled to your opinion - TDK is a great movie. But, you can't form a biased opinion (like 'it's boring') against a movie you've never seen - that's rendering a verdict without all the facts. That's why my answer is so long - I wanted to let you know that I have an open mind when it comes viewing sci-fi/fantasy movies - just because LOTR is my favorite book, that didn't mean I wasn't going to go see 'Batman Begins'. All I am saying is to give LOTR a chance. Worst case scenario: you 'waste' 3 hours - I'm sure there could be worse things then that. Best case scenario: you like or love the movie - I highly doubt you'll hate it.