Batman Begins (2005)

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Ken Watanabe, Morgan Freeman, Sara Sterwart, Richard Brake, Gus Lewis, Linus Roache, Colin McFarlane, Larry Holden

Director: Christopher Nolan

Running Time: 140 minutes

US MPAA rating: PG-13
UK BBFC rating: 12a
Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy, Thriller

Since his first appearance in 1939, 'The Bat-Man', masked vigilante over the streets of Gotham City, has proved to be an enduring favourite of the comic book superheroes, due to his darkness, his mortality and, most importantly of all, the adaptability of his myth to changing times. On the big screen he has fared less well - 'Batman 1966', the feature-length outing for Adam West and Burt Ward's corny television series, is to my mind one of the funniest films ever made, but its high camp high-jinks hardly do justice to DC Comics' brooding original. Tim Burton's

It's Got: Excellent acting; a much more serious tone (and a much more epic scale) than Batman's previous cinematic outings - although there are still lots of funny lines; a very tightly written script (where tiny, apparently meaningless details - like the blue flower - take on an unfolding and unexpected relevance); great action sequences, counterbalanced by credible characterisation and intelligent psychodrama; a character created especially for the film, Assistant DA Rachel Dawes; the iconic "I'm Batman" line; and some pessimistic (if even-handed) commentary on the downside of retributive justice and the conduct of the 'War on Terror'. http:/

It Needs: For its 'sequels' to be as intelligent (but as they have already been made, it is safe to assert that they are not).

Alternatives: Batman, 'Batman 1966', The Punisher

Summary: In his best, and darkest, outing to date, the masked avenger's personal 'issues' reflect those of the world in the wake of 9/11. Overall Score: 8 out of 10

Review Date: 8th June 2005

Image Gallery

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External Links

Official Web Site
Batman Begins at the IMDB

Comments

1 Comment

I'm not Batman.
It fits it's written by the writer of "Dark City." And, Gotham forbid the maker of "Memento." A film I have never seen but have prejudged with the wisdom of God, and so avoided like the "grudge."

For all the potential interest, even new ideas, it never really grabbed me, which is a story's first priority, not talking.

Probably the analogy with the terror war on terror was not meant. Critics always say these things, but I am a critic of critics.
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" was about Reds under the beds they saids. The author said it was not.
The movies just happen to coincide with reality.

It's telling that Batman has been made so many times, this film had to resort to an undone villian - the most boring. Yet, again, how timely and fitting.

I found it sadly lacking in action, even when there was action.
Maybe that was to do with the first half hour (or was it an hour?) was all talk.
Even the climax was wet, with Gordon driving the Batmobil, which just had no tension - again. And Mr. Oldman was always oddly non-descript, maybe because he had to play it straight without his intense character peculiarities - or pecharaculiarities. Just because he's a good guy now. Boring again.
See, this is what happens when you give action projects to the "intellects," who are dead anyway, intead of more alive.

Batman disguising his voice into an ever descending grating monotone grated on my nerves and grew almost comic-al, as well as painful for him.

Near the end, I almost began to admire the behind the scenes 'League of Shadows' concept infiltrating major world affairs in history.
Face it, that was the only new thing in this film (unlike 89's "Batman" which was all new, and as gooder as it gets, especially with the divine Mr. N as The Joker...err the devilish) - apart from the weirdly unsatisfying origin of the Batmobil - the man of the manor didn't make it himself, or at least commission it, Commissioner Gordon, meaning it was not unique. But I still don't mind that change - it is neutral, new, not negative. I can grOW t0 AdapT like the bAt.
Incidentially - that was the best scene in the movie - as we all know - when Mr Scarecrow or Dr Crane (shouldn't he be Dr Crow? Anyway, a strange bird) cocked his bird head skyward in one of the most expressive enigmatically engaging lines in film of all time. The single one you want to see again and again and in your head as many times again. And it will never drain.
Ahh, that all could be so concentrated goodness as the preview.
That and the joker calling card - were, alas, real skill.

I guess Dianna Daws - or what's her name, Katie Holmes character? - is destined to become Batgirl in a twist I - oh sorry - just gave away. Consider yeaselves spoilt.

Comment by:- | | 01 July 2005 | ip: logged