Actually, I thought the story this time around was almost as good - almost as good - as Batman Begins. There were some 'huh? what the?' bits in the middle and some parts right before the ending was a little let-downish... but on the whole, it was great.great, not. The more money it makes, the bigger budget the next one will get, the more the emphasis will be on action/explosions, the less on story. There is a reason why sequels are usually not as good as the originals; unless the sequel was written before the original became big.
Great sci fi is about great writing first. Everything else is a distant second.
My wife and I really, really, really enjoyed the movie. After forking over hard cash for such nonsense like "Wanted" and a so-so "Hancock", this movie blew us away.
Happily, I might add.
I am SO GLAD Nolan (and the writers and actors) rescued this franchise from the horrid direction Schumacher had taken.
cheers,