Pure, unadulterated film-making gold...

Rating: 9/10 (19 June 2005)

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
In all the years the character has been around, Batman has had a somewhat chequered screen record. From the entertaining Adam West renditions, through the lavish Gothic stylings of Burton and Keaton, and then down a completely unwelcome turn into the world of the watchable but uneven Batman Forever and finally the execrable Batman & Robin. Finally though, after years of waiting, we have a Batman to be truly proud of and shouted about from the rooftops.
Batman Begins is really that good.
A fresh cinematic take on the Batman origin story, Begins takes an entirely different approach to the 1989 Tim Burton picture. Beginning with everyone's favourite tortured millionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) imprisoned in a distant and unnamed far eastern country for various criminal acts (all in an attempt to learn about the criminal way of life), Wayne is approached by the enigmatic Ducard (Liam Neeson) with the offer of learning how to fight crime in a meaningful way. Wayne eventually accepts and finds himself learning to become a part of a mysterious brotherhood of assassins who teach him how to fight with a variety of weapons and styles, and how to use smoke and mirrors to scare the wits out of his enemies. At the culmination of his training, a difference of opinions forces Wayne back out into the world on his own. Complete with all his ninja skills, he decides to return to Gotham City and with the help of his families loyal Butler Alfred (Michael Caine), intelligent but sidelined business man Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and honest police officer Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) adopts a new persona with which to fight crime, a persona that will strike fear into the criminal underworld and we all have a pretty good idea of where the film goes from there.
For such a major Hollywood picture (and an action orientated one at that) Begins really is a slow burner. Bale doesn't even don the suit an cape until the movie hits it's second act by which point you'll have sat through around forty five minutes to an hour of almost pure backstory and training montages. Believe it or not, this opening doesn't harm the film in the least. In fact it's a refreshing change of pace and truly works to setup Batman in such a way that when he does finally make his appearance we already understand the character on a level the cinema audience (unless they are fans of the comics) have probably never understood before. From the equipment he uses to the way in which he battles crime, to the curious relationship Bruce possesses with his own alter ego Begins paints Batman as the most completely realised super hero yet seen on screen.
The film is helped no end by a truly stellar cast almost each and every one of whom are pulling their considerable weight for all to see. Bale is a perfect as both the severe and punishing Batman, and as the more tortured and lovable Bruce Wayne. His supporting cast are no less spectacular. I wish I had room to give Kudos to them all, but here're a few high points. Liam Neeson convinces as yet another rough and tumble mentor character this year (after a brief but no less impressive performance in Kingdom of Heaven). He lends himself perfectly to these roles and his sheer screen presence always makes him enjoyable to watch, especially when he's giving his all, as he is here. Michael Caine excels with Alfred, giving the character a much drier and readier wit than we've previously been accustomed to. He and Bale prove particularly good foils to one another, the warmth and friendship between the two being almost palpable. Freeman acts up a storm along with Oldman, but really have we come to expect anything less from these two giants? Finally I feel a special mention must go to Cillian Murphy as the villainous Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow who infuses the character a truly chilling persona without having much screen time in which to do it. The only weak point is Katie Holmes who to me never really convinced as a no nonsense DA.
Helping these actors in their efforts though is the films true hero. I remember when I first heard Christopher Nolan the director of the incredible Memento and the almost as good Insomnia was in the big chair for this film, I rubbed my hands together with glee imagining what such a talented director could do with the Batman franchise. I wasn't disappointed. Nolan has gone for a more understated and brooding feel than previous Batman iterations, resulting in a film that gives plausibility to an implausible character. His handling of the emotion and turmoil of Bruce Wayne is as in depth and thoughtfully shot as any of his previous movies, while his handling of the films action is uniquely handled. Draping Batman in shadows and rapid cuts, the confusion and horror of his criminal victims is played to the hilt, lending the big bat a truly menacing and formidable aura. My one complaint would be that none of the picture's villains come across as much of a match for him (even Murphy) until the very end, thus robbing the film of some of it's tension. His pacing of the film is also outstanding. So perfectly does the film unfold that for the first time in years I wasn't itching to stand and stretch my legs by the time the final credits rolled. Indeed I could've sat enthralled for another hour or so.
Batman Begins is as assured a movie as you will see this year. Acted, directed and polished to a mirror sheen, there's no better superhero picture out there right now, and no more entertaining film to be seen so far this year.