With the most impressive acting lineup of the cinematic series, including Christian Bale (above), Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson and Michael Caine, Batman Begins is the strongest Bat-flick so far and is among the best comic book movies to date.
The old Batcave from the original Tim Burton Batman would be a great place to kick back and relax on game day. You know Bruce Wayne’s got DirecTV, and if you can get past the dankness, you’ve got the makings of an armchair quarterback’s paradise: a bunch of Bat-televisions, the Bat-computer to check on fantasy football stats and Alfred the butler at your every whim, running upstairs to snag some Bat-cold ones and Bat-nachos.
But something’s missing in the previous four Batman installments.
Ever wonder how Bruce Wayne changed from orphan to billionaire playboy/creature of the night? Sure his parents were killed, he wanted vengeance, he bought a cape, yada yada yada. But where the hell did the Batmobile come from? How did Bruce Wayne become so diesel that he can beat the poop out of any degenerate Gotham City has to offer? And how was the Batcave built into such a sweet setup? Independent contractors, perhaps?
One of the most satisfying aspects of Memento-helmsman Christopher Nolan’s new take on the Caped Crusader — a completely isolated effort from any previous Batman film — is that everything from the Batsuit to the Batcave to the souped-up Batmobile are accounted for. Batman Begins is an origin story in the truest sense, as during the course of the two-and-a-half hour flick, Bruce Wayne evolves from impetuous orphan to polished superhero.
In fact, the story of this metamorphosis is so enthralling, the acting so crisp, the humor so dark and the overall experience so grand, Batman Begins has one-upped the entire comic book movie genre, supplanting even the original Batman and Superman flicks, on its way to becoming the best superhero film of all time.
A series of flashbacks throughout the opening half hour tell us that as a boy, Wayne (Christian Bale, American Psycho) witnessed his parents’ murder. Years later, as fate would have it, Wayne’s chance for revenge is taken from him when the killer is gunned down just moments before he planned on finishing the job himself.
After being roughed up by mob boss Carmine Falcone’s (Tom Wilkinson, The Full Monty) goons, the wealthy college dropout goes into hiding in the Far East for seven years, scrounging for food, picking fights in prison and, where the film begins, training under Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson, Love Actually) and ninja cult leader Ra’s Al Ghul (Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai).
Wayne returns to crime-infested Gotham City with a mission: To transform himself into more than a man — a symbol that can strike terror in the hearts of those who prey on the fearful.
His first bit of business back in Gotham City is to check on his deceased father’s company, which is ever so gradually being pulled out from underneath his wingtips. Wayne Enterprises has morphed dramatically in his absence, now producing various products for the military.
It doesn’t take a CSI fan to see where this is going: Wayne has at his disposal some of the latest technology in armor, weapons and, of course, armored vehicles. A few cans of black spray paint later, he’s got himself a formidable Bat-arsenal.
The film’s strength lies within its smart script and the lovely ensemble cast assigned to read it. Michael Caine is touching and extremely amusing as the loyal butler Alfred, who is willing to speak his mind to his young master. Morgan Freeman is a godsend as Lucius Fox, a Wayne Enterprises employee who takes on the James Bond role of Q, equipping our hero with all his cool gadgets.
Wilkinson and Neeson are effective, as always (the former donning a fun, over-the-top gangster accent). Unheralded bit actor Gary Oldman (The Professional) is also a joy to watch as Sgt. Jim Gordon, Batman’s only ally on Gotham’s police force.
Cillian Murphy (Cold Mountain) is delightfully creepy as the film’s chief baddie, Dr. Jonathan Crane (also known as The Scarecrow) who attempts to poison his enemies with a fear-inducing hallucinogenic gas. Katie Holmes adds little as District Attorney Rachel Dawes. Although the movie steers clear of any real romantic subplot, Dawes never really had a shot.
The most praise should go to Bale, who provides a depth and humor to the Bruce Wayne character we have yet to see by any of the previous three suitors (four if you include Adam West in the campy old TV show). He could use a little work on his Bat-voice; while in costume he sounds like he’s constipated.
Nolan clearly came onto the project with a plan, taking great care to add humanity to even the most seemingly insignificant character (the rise of Gordon throughout the film is surprisingly thoughtful despite little more than five minutes of total screen time).
The film’s effects are top-notch, as would be expected of any summer action flick. Nolan decided to use stuntmen and elaborate sets rather than use computer graphics for everything, which is a welcome decision.
With the good pre-release buzz Begins has already picked up, it’s no surprise studio fatcats are already talking sequels.
Same Bat-time, Same Bat-channel.
As long as Warner Brothers gets the same Bat-actors and the same Bat-director on board for another go-around, consider this franchise resurrected.
