Batman has only just begun...

Rating: 10/10 (4 July 2005)

In 1989, 'Batman' soared into Hollywood, breaking box-office records. Everybody thought that Michael Keaton was a lame choice, but soon grew to love him as the Caped Crusader, who also starred alongside one of the most known villains - The Joker. Yes, Jack Nicholson truly made the film what it was, and so is a classic in Tim Burton's list...
'Batman Returns' was next, once again starring Michael Keaton as the troubled Bruce Wayne. The villain was now 'The Pwnguin', played by an unusual choice - Danny DeVito. It seemed to work, but not everybody was convinced that this was the film that Tim Burton wanted to make. Selina Kyle as the infamous Catwoman, and Christopher Walken as evil Max Shreck.
'Batman Forever' was next - minus Michael Keaton, and minus Tim Burton. Not a very good sign, but Val Kilmer impressed (slightly) as Batman, but at least we had Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones to accompany him. As for that, Michael Gough and Nicole Kidman as well!
I don't think we really need to say much for 'Batman and Robin', over then that it resurrected the franchise, well and truly...
Or so you thought!!!
Now 'Batman Begins' is here, the franchise has soared back into Hollywood, scooping number ones all across the world. Christian Bale steps into Keaton's, Kilmer's, and er, Clooney's shoes - and brings us right back to the beginning. After his parent's death, Bruce Wayne's life goes from bad to worse. He is thrown into a foreign prison, where he meets ruthless Henri Ducard - (an amazing Liam Neeson) - who brings Bruce to the master of the 'League of Shadows', Ra's Al Ghul, (A slightly flawed Ken Watanabe). Here, Wayne is beefed up to become the new master, but takes a dangerous gamble, and decides to bust villainy in Gotham City - cue big black cars and long black capes!
Director of 'Memento' and 'Insomnia', Christopher Nolan directs and makes the film something it isn't, a psychological mix of fear and vengeance. This is very different to every other film, but nobody should be complaining. These are the basis of the film. Each line in the film contains meaningful, emotional, witty truth; the script id truly one of the best in many years. Christopher Nolan has worked a masterpiece (again), and starts as he means to go on (he's signed up to do two more prequels)! You would call this film a prequel, but it is actually a dark biopic of Bruce Wayne.
As Nolan has now proved he isn't going to let Spielberg go easily, Tom Cruise had better watch out. Star of 'American Psycho' and 'Equilibrium', Christian Bale is fast becoming one of Hollywood's leading men. He has proved his devotedness - as a 12 year old in Spuielberg's 'Empire of the Sun', and losing up to 64lbs for his role in 'The Machinist' - and his status is growing by the second.
'Memento' is the film Bale didn't star in, whilst 'The Machinist' is the film that Nolan didn't direct - they are a perfect team up.
Cillian Murphy fares brilliantly as Dr Jonathan Crane, who scares people with his hallucinogen gas, which - when he wears his mask - turns him into the Scarecrow. Katie Holmes is above average as childhood sweetheart Rachel Dawes. Gary Oldman is brilliant as Jim Gordon, as is Tom Wilkinson as Carmine Falcone. But, as amazing as ever, Michael Caine is the best as Michael Gough's character - Alfred the Butler...
With one of the best scripts written for cinema, amazing set pieces and scary, atmospheric acting, 'Batman Begins' is an instant classic. The first hour is all talk - the last hour is pure action!