Even heroes have to conquer fears to become super heroes. this movie raises the bar for 'comic-to-film' adaptations...

Rating: 10/10 (4 July 2009)

WOW!! Simply WOW. That's a one word answer to how the film is. The USP of this film is that it does not portray the batman as an outright super hero – whacking criminals with super power but shows a vulnerable Bruce Wayne who has to be shaped into a combat machine to be a super hero. This makes the film 'connect' instantly to its audience.
The story explains the origins of the character of Bruce Wayne and starts with Bruce (Christian Bale), as a gypsy traveling the world starting fights with petty criminals to shadow over his guilt over the death of his parents. He is greeted by the mysterious Henri Ducard who along with a legendary warrior Ra's Al Ghul, teach him to turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. Bruce takes him up on his offer and learns to become a warrior of justice only to rebuff the laws of the monastery blindly and return to Gotham city to save it from 'dying' in the hands of the mob. Things are worse than ever in Gotham...Carmine Falcone, a mobster, owns most of the city's officials, and as he runs drugs and gambling. He begins with his Bat-Suit, weaponry, and bat- mobile. His trusted aides for the 'mission' are his trusty Butler, Alfred (Michael Caine), the head of science divisions at Wayne Enterprises, Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), the only decent Cop left in Gotham, Gordon (Gary Oldman), and his old flame, now the assistant D.A. Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes – she disappointed with mediocre acting though). But his test lies when he meets his ultimate nemesis – Ducard who wants to destroy gotham in order to save the savaged livelihood of many.
The film is not about firepower (though it has excellent fight sequences) but about 'mind over body' type tactical warfare blended with a comic book persona that batman is. It's not about the heroics of a hero but the struggle to become great and the insecurity which induces one to strive. A hero has to grow as a 'person' first and then as a 'super-hero'. The fights are great, the gadgets all there, the plot is thorough and exciting, and Gotham looks great. Batman really is frightening & menacing (and lethal!) The film wins hearts as it is not conventional, corny, over-digitalized comic book –to-celluloid adaptation; but a well orchestrated drama – crime feature film.
Whether you're or aren't a fan of Christopher Nolan or Batman fanatic, you'll enjoy every single second of the movie. Batman finally begins from here.... (Only to be overshadowed by the legend – the joker in the dark knight —phew!! what an anti climax to the 'hero' stuff – a birth of a super hero in 'batman begins' who fights his way to be one – to the birth of a super anti-hero in 'the dark knight' – I thought batman was good but joker even better!! )
9 out of 10 definitely. Comic-book films grow up with this one... the franchise fell earlier only to rise in 2005 and again in 2008