Batman couldn't have come back in better shape!

Rating: 9/10 (26 June 2005)

>Spoiler Warning<
It's been a week since I saw "Batman Begins" and after several days getting rid of the thrilling sensation that the film gave to me, I feel like pointing out my opinions about the movie itself.
When I first heard about a new Batman installment, I was quite skeptical about it. When Christian Bale was chosen to portrait Batman and his alter ego Bruce Wayne, I felt excited for two main reasons: I'm quite a fan of Bale and at the same time it could be the first time for him to prove the great actor he is to a major audience. When names like Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson and the others began to appear in the cast, I had great expectation for the movie.
And it hasn't disappointed me at all. Clearly influenced by Frank Miller's Batman graphic novels, we're introduced into a dark, creepy and real (but not Gothic) Gotham City, a place which could be related to many big US cities in terms of social structure and atmosphere.
Bruce Wayne's character is very interesting because you feel sorry for him but at the same time you may be annoyed by his arrogance and superiority, and I think that this duality has the purpose of making the character real, with his pros and cons. There's no time for comic-esquire action in "Batman Begins": Director Christopher Nolan worked hard with writer David S. Goyer to create a credible story, with real characters and real locations. All Batman's arsenal seems to be real and, apart from the huge Batmobile, every gadget fits quite well in this environment of reality.
Probably that's why some hardcore Batman fans have gone pretty mad after watching the film, saying that it's a James Bond-type movie, but with a guy dressed up like Batman. Anyway, that's the essence (I think) of "Batman Begins", to tell a story of a real man who wants to fight injustice and he uses a symbol to terrorize those who use fear for their own purposes.
"Batman Begins" is worth a look and probably it's one of the most solid productions I've ever seen in a while. Furthermore, the soundtrack is amazing too, created by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, they have helped to create the return of the caped crusader, who needed some fresh air after the last installment, Batman & Robin... huh. However, I'm not thinking about "Batman Begins" as "Batman 5" because it's a new fresh start, like a new saga. So, let the saga begin! :)