If I recall, Batman's hero is his father, an honourable man who 'always did the right thing'. Thus, his life's mission to stamp out crime. Unless they created a new backstory, it's pretty much covered.
I always loved the Batman, for the same reasons as you.
Re Katie Holmes, Dan said: eye candy, not much more :)
I do think that she's usually pretty darn cute, but the one preview for Batman (with her in it) that I caught on the tube, she looked blah...hair all greasy and stuff. Maybe it was just that one scene?? LOL
I will say this that I had never seen Katie Holmes in a movie; just the media hype with Cruise. I think she proved to me that she can act. She carried her part of the film but she is not substantial enough to play off Bruce Wayne/Batman's persona permanently.