Rated PG-13 for intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.
140 Minutes
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
Written By: Bob Kane and David S. Goyer
You traveled the world… Now you must journey inwards… to what you really fear… it’s inside you… there is no turning back. Your parents’ death was not your fault. Your training is nothing. The will is everything. If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, you become something else entirely. Are you ready to begin? -Henri Ducard
Synopsis
We are taking Bruce Wayne far back, before the legend of Batman was created, before Tim Burton or Joel Schumacker touched the Batman series, and we have started fresh with Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of how Batman came to be who he was. The story sticks to DC comics ideal about the Wayne parents being killed by a thug and Wayne manor and all it’s riches being left to a young and heart broken Bruce. It’s also this tragedy that becomes the driving force for him to search for justice or vengeance. It’s not clear which early on, but his journey there is far different than what audiences were used to with bat toys, explosions, over the top villains and circus like special effects. (Thanks to Schumacker)
Review
I truly enjoyed Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. They were each simply brilliant movies, with outstanding performances by Michael Keaton as Batman. From there on the series trotted downhill and somehow ended in a cornucopia of disaster with Batman Returns, one of the worst films ever created. At this point the question became; do we retire the Batman series? From that particular creation line: YES. Starting fresh and creating something entirely unconventional, while almost putting Batman itself into a different genre did Batman Begins spring to life.
The dark undertones, but the realism of Gotham and it’s prince Bruce Wayne fighting against real thugs and the idiosyncrasies of corrupt police and public officials gives the story something real to grasp onto. The fact that the villains in this story were tangible, made it even more intriguing. Bruce’s desire for justice (or vengeance) and inability to release his anger and his fear is what sends him away from all he knows to find himself lost, yet what he has been running from has been himself. These are real human issues that weren’t lightly touched on, but delved into a very in depth way that made Bruce’s transition from what he was to what he became a very believable evolution, and suddenly our writers and director have made Batman seem plausible even in our world today.
The crossing of realism over into a comic book movie has not been entirely successful, in fact it seems to have failed miserably. This Batman is the first movie I have found to be triumphant and opened doors for other films in it’s genre to do something more and something different. It also widens it’s appeal to audiences. With real three dimensional character’s to grasp onto, palpable plot schemes, but still mixing the typical Batman action and mythology together, gives it such a familiar yet vivid perspective on a well known story.
Cast
- Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman
- Liam Neeson as Henri Ducard
- Michael Caine as Alfred
- Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes
- Gary Oldman as Sgt. James Gordon
- Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow
- Tom Wilkinson as Carmine Falcone
- Rutgar Hauer as Earl
- Ken Wantanabe as Ra’s Al Guhl
- Morgan Freeman as Fox
Christian Bale as Batman seemed like an excellent choice, and once onscreen proved to be the right actor to play this model of Bruce Wayne/Batman. His stoic demeanor, yet brutal determination, and chiseled good looks was the perfect Bruce Wayne. The supporting cast is full of reputable talented actors that pull of top of the line performances giving the tale even more integrity. My only complaint about the entire movie was the casting of Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. She is lovely to look at, but her lack of acting ability against a script that required way more than she could give, and became even more apparent against the talents of those that surrounded her, left her weak performance exposed in the worst way. It was no surprise she was re-cast in the sequel.
Ratings and Suggestions
Batman Begins gave the promise of a new kind of superhero film that set the bar that much higher for this genre of film. It’s sequel, “The Dark Knight”, proved to take it to an even greater level. While it seems nearly impossible to make a third addition just as brilliant as The Dark Knight, the anticipation and excitement for more of this kind of Batman is exuberant. These films are something to really get excited about, and the big screen doesn’t offer this kind of appeal too often anymore. Batman Begins appeal is pretty much for anyone and everyone should see it. It earns 3.5 out of 4 Stars.
Ahh, this should have got 4 stars! Amazing film!
Oh and I disagree about Katie, I thought she was wonderful. I wish she would have been in the Dark Knight.
This was a near perfect movie, and I’m also glad Katie Holmes was replaced though I don’t like Maggie Gyllenhaal either. However I didn’t find Mrs. Cruise a distraction to the movie, the rest was too good to be fully annoyed by her.