A New Age, A New Batman

Rating: 8/10 (26 June 2005)

The Dark Knight is easily one of the most recognizable characters of both the 20th and 21st century. From his early DC comic book beginnings to the recent Christopher Nolan film, Batman has taken various shapes and forms. As a film viewer, I have to admit that Christopher Nolan isn't a director who I'm familiar with. And the only role I remember Christian Bale from is American Psycho. However, Christopher Nolan has managed to do something incredible - reinvent Batman and Gotham City for a 21st century audience. In Batman Begins, he creates a vision of the character that is even darker than the version done by Tim Burton.
For starters, the best way to view this movie is to completely forget about the earlier film versions by Tim Burton and especially those by Joel Schumacher. While watching this movie, I had to keep reminding myself that I was watching a movie and not a play. The plot and action flow together gracefully, giving us a picture of Gotham City as a criminal and underworld metropolis bursting at the seems. Christopher Nolan takes his time in presenting Bruce Wayne as a prodigal son and orphaned heir. Instead of glossing over superficially Bruce Wayne's growth into Batman, the director allows us to dive into what motivates this man to determine his chosen path.
Here's a Batman that remains much closer to the comic book vision. He's a dark, somewhat sinister, menacing, but complicated individual who is coming to terms not only with himself but with those around him. Christian Bale humanizes and dehumanizes him at the same time. He doesn't make Bruce Wayne seem like a solitary millionaire brooding away in his mansion. He brings more meaning to the character and really shows the audience the man behind the mask.
The actors do bring a sense of significance to their roles. However, the big names do not draw away from the focus of the film. Apart from Bale, Michael Caine delivers a sympathetic performance as Alfred, the loyal butler and Wayne's surrogate father. Katie Holmes shines somewhat as a determined prosecutor. While Morgan Freeman remains loyal to fault, a much needed dose of villainy is added through Liam Neesom, Tom Wilkinson, and Cillian Murphy.
This is one movie which I think I deserves a sequel or two. (And we all know there might be some down the line). Any films that follow though should remain as truthful and as committed to the legacy of the Dark Knight as Batman Begins does.