very rarely does a film so immensely satisfying on so many levels come along...

Rating: 10/10 (11 July 2005)

I wasn't excited about the prospect of Batman Begins. The film is based on the DC comic THE BATMAN(and, unlike the last 4, its faithful AND fun) and comes from indie king Christopher Nolanimer. It's an attempt to revive the batman franchise, a franchise dead sense mega failure of Batman & Robin starring George Clooney and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The cast for the movie was good-it continues the batflick tradition of big name actors. The trailers made it look good and serious, and the marketing was heavy. The only drawbacks were that I felt that Batman was a character that when made too serious, it might not be fun. Luckily, my expectations were completely confounded; Batman Begins is a sensational blockbuster.
Despite its origins, the plot is by turns exciting and surprising. Young Bruce Wayne sees his parents murdered before him. He leaves the world behind, and trains as a ninja. Upon returning to Gotham City he becomes Batman. His first task is to bring in Carmine Falcone, but in the process he uncovers a plot against Gotham involving horrifying villain the scarecrow and an old foe.
Katie Holmes and Gary Oldman strongly portray Batmans two allies while Michael Caine shines as Alfred, who is busy trying to keep Bruce Wayne sane. Morgan Freeman is hilarious and better return for the sequel, Rutger Hauer is good as the snobby businessman, and Liam Neeson and Ken Watanabe are quite the villainous duo in the "league of shadows".But this film is stolen by two people: first, unknown Cillain Murphy gives what will go down as perhaps the most memorable villain since, well, Jack Nicholsons Joker. Hes so normally creepy yet there's a trusting sense in him. But the film is really stolen by Christian Bale. He is the undisputed star in a inspired dramatic performance. Hes also quite easy on the eyes, and can kick some serious butt when needed. Some of the action is breathtakingly exciting, particularly one spectacular fight aboard the stunningly real monorail that runs through the canyons of gotham, and the batmobile chase is incredible. But perhaps the most praise worthy element of the production is Gotham City-of the art and special effects don't get Oscar nominated then this is biggest robbing at the Oscars since Titanic won best picture. Its so grand in scale, I don't think I've ever seen a modern city so big in a film, yet its style and darkness is so real. All it does is add the experience. The score, by James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, is yet another Oscar worthy item in the film.
But what makes Batman Begins such a triumph is the ease with which it leaps between styles. The film unexpectedly has some great comic moments, but also manages to be exciting, scary and moving. Flashbacks of Bruce Wayne and his father are quite moving, the villain scarecrow a lot more threatening and intimidating then one would expect. From this hybrid premise you feel many directors would have delivered a half-baked pastiche but Chris Nolan has come up with a genuine swashbuckling epic loaded with drama, comedy, and romance. Batman Begins. is, in short, awesome. You cant take your eyes off the screen. Its going to be a monster on DVD sales and a sequel will be eagerly anticipated. I didn't think I'd be saying this, but Batman begins is the ride of the summer.