One of the greatest comebacks in Hollywood history

Rating: 9/10 (11 December 2006)

The first time I watched "Batman Begins", I only gave it a 5 or a 6, I couldn't remember. Watching it for the second time, I knew where I went wrong the first time I rated it.
It's only because I compared it to the other four movies of the Batman franchise. But "Batman Begins" is so different from the other films that it cannot be classed as part from this franchise. Director Christopher Nolan has literally created the Batman Franchise 2.
And like Tim Burton did in the first series of movies, Nolan brings an explosive, surprising and visually-dazzling adventure which gives hope to those who thought that Batman's movie career died because of Joel Schumacher's ill-fated vision.
Burton's Gothic landscape of Gotham City is dead too, but some characteristics remain. Essentially the dark and sinister atmosphere that flows on the town. Instead, Gotham City looks like a modern metropolis and we can feel that the action happens nowadays. I can interpret this as a mean for getting closer to the spectator, which is welcomed.
In a global way, every aspect of the movie is designed in order to give a more realistic look to Batman. Not only visually, but psychologically and socially. And especially psychologically.
The introduction shows a Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) full of rage and despair after his parents were murdered in front of his eyes. This event deeply traumatized him and his desire of vengeance brings him to the Far East. There, he meets mysterious Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), who is a member of the powerful and secret organization known as the League of Shadows, which operates for global justice in very unique and arguable ways.
Ducard teaches Wayne how to fight his enemies and how to canalize his rage and his fears. The young billionaire returns to his manor and, with the help of his butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a scientist working for Wayne Enterprises, Wayne becomes the hero that we all know: the Caped Crusader himself.
Christopher Nolan sounded like a risky choice for the role of director. "Memento" and "Insomnia" were impressive psychological thrillers, but a superhero film (especially from a shattered franchise) is not the same ballpark. But surprisingly, Nolan doesn't change his techniques and that's what helps the movie working.
Nolan gives a lot of attention to the psychology of his characters (something that Burton and Schumacher did in a minimalist way) and his unique special effects are dazzling, exciting and adequately nightmarish.
Some scenes are catchier than others. But I think that the movie's trademark is the horror images coming from the toxin that plays a major role in the story. The shimmering effect created by the camera and the horrific images and voice of The Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) are easily the best FX ever made in a Batman movie.
And let's not forget the bat invasion near the end of the movie, which could be dubbed as Christopher Nolan's "The Bats", creating a parallel with Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds".
The story is first-rate and the action scenes are worthy of the best Bruckheimer movies. But mixed together so well is almost a miraculous move.
"Batman Begins" shows actors at the top of their shapes. Christian Bale is a superb Batman, probably the best of all. Liam Neeson is a scary villain, proving that he's not only able of portraying heroic good guys (Oskar Schindler and Qui-Gon Jinn). Katie Holmes owns her name instead of Mrs. Cruise's one and Gary Oldman gets the role of his life as scrupulously honest police officer Gordon.
The only false note that I would give to this movie is that it ends way too quickly and brings its conclusion too fast. The story can get very complex (even if it's also a plus) and some of the characters' philosophical and moral speeches can distract from the real story.
Do you believe in miracles? Because this movie is one of them. Batman lives again with this terrific redemption film and there's definitely a dove in the sky, which might be accompanied by a bat.