- Cast : Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Ken Watanbe.
Director : Christopher Nolan
___________________________________________________________________ Synopsis : Billionare Bruce Wayne tries to come in terms with the guilt of helplessly
seeing his parents murdered by torturing himself. He finally finds his path and becomes Batman -- the Dark Knight of Gotham City. Aiding him are his butler Alfred, Lucious Fox -- his Gadget specialist and the only honest cop in Gotham -- Gordon.
Review : One look at this movie will make you forget all about the 1960s -- Adam West/Burt Ward TV-series. There is none of the cheeziness associated with the older Batman movies. In fact, Batman Begins is not even about a super-hero. It is not about some guy in a cape and his grandma’s panties prancing around from roof top to rooftop. Batman Begins is a very metaphorical movie. The fans of the comic book rate the source for this movie as a truly psychological journey through the mind of a tormented man and how he channels his energy in doing what he believes in -- Fighting Evil.
Batman Begins opens with Bruce Wayne in an Eastern prison picking a fight among prisoners. A series of flashbacks reveals to us how Bruce Wayne witnessed the death of his parents as a child. He has since then tormented himself by living as a bum, and has tried to studied the inner workings of a criminal mind by stealing shipments from his inherited firm-- Wayne Enterprise. After that it is all about Wayne actually finding a way for himself and finally turning into Batman.
Batman Begins resets the franchise to zero and gives us an indepth look at how Batman became what he is. There are details on how he acquired the Batsuit, Batmobile (Bat Tank really !!) and the construction of the BatCave from scratch. Batman Begins introduces the comic book nemesis Scarecrow/Jonathan Craine. The visuals presented after his introduction are pretty scary and in no way meant for children. The detailed analysis of Bruce Wayne’s inner torment is the focus of this movie.
The visuals are dark and stunning. The dialogue is comic book like, but could have used more wise cracks and humor. Most of the funny lines come from Morgan Freeman or Michael Caine. The stunts and visual effects are done very well. Gotham as the prosperous city in the beginning and then as a dark, smuk filled hell hole, are trully contrasting images and the product of a creatively active mind. This is one movie that truly presents the real hero behind the mask.
Performance-wise Christian Bale is excellent as Batman/Bruce Wayne. He has very well differenciated between the concerned crusader that he is by night and the super-rich playboy act that he does on his ’’off duty’’ days. Gary Oldman is effecient as ever, although he has been underused in this movie. I would have loved to see him as one of the villains. Morgan Freeman is his own wisecracking self. Michael Caine hams at times, but is well suited to the butler’s role because of his accent, screen persona and his likeness to the comic book Alfred. Katie Holmes is miscast in her character. She looks far to young and far to skinny for her role.
On the whole Batman Begins is a must see for the fans of the Comic Book and all those who have been disappointed by the previous attempts at bringing to life the graphic novel. Kudos to Christopher Nolan for interpreting the character and for presenting him in such a stylish and dark manner. I am looking forward to the sequel which will introduce Joker.