A Controversial Reboot, But a Won Battle.

Rating: 8/10 (28 January 2007)

A lot has been written about this Batman sequel. Or Prequel. Or Reboot. Prior to watching the movie, you can think of it in either of these three assumptions. We can rule out the option of it being a sequel for a number of reasons: the story itself tells how Bruce Wayne became Batman, and how he learned to face his fears and create his alter-ego known as Batman; also because the pace, the approach and the lack of theatricals that characterized the previous four movies is gone. You can also rule out the option of it being a prequel since if that were the intention, the previously mentioned pace and approach would have to comply with the other movies. So that leaves us with this movie being a reboot. But is it a fair, genuine and faithful reboot? In my opinion it is. Very. The reason why is because this movie was able to make me a person interested in the Batman myth and saga, which I wasn't. Tim Burton (although one of the three best directors nowadays) made the first two movies a Saturday morning fun ride entertainment for kids very much in the line of what was the spirit of the comics. Than Joel Schumacher stepped in and simply assassinated, commercially and critically the good image that the Batman character had. So when Christopher Nolan came in, he not only had a huge responsibility on his shoulders being the one carrying the whole franchise either to forgetfulness or he could get people to love Batman and make them eager to watch its movies again. Fortnately it was the latter. Batman Begins is a very solid movie, more adult-orientated and explores Bruce Wayne's hopes, fears and memories without making a martyr out of him. Also the task is hugely favored by the fact that he has a stellar cast helping, with Christian Bale as the new Batman and people like Michael Caine, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Rutger Hauer, Linus Roache, Morgan Freeman and Cillian Murphy creating a strong film that makes you follow it in the edge of your seat, never losing pace and be truly interested on how the complex story develops either by the skills of the director or the performances full of complexity and chemistry of the priceless cast.