Best Superhero Movie I've Ever Seen

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2005)

Batman Begins Rated PG-13 Directed by Christopher Nolan Chirstian Bale............Bruce Wayne/Batman Liam Neeson...............Ducard Ken Watanabe..............Ra's Al Ghul Cillian Murphy............Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow Michael Caine.............Alfred Gary Oldman...............John Gordon Katie Holmes..............Rachel Dawes
So, I didn't expect much from the new batman. I expected better than Batman and Robin and not much else..but once I got to see the film. Wow. It takes a turn away from the 60s/Batman Forever/Batman and Robin camp and away from the dark Fairy Tale style of Burton's Batman and goes for a more realistic approach...and it was well worth it. Spider-Man is held in such high acclaim anymore....well time to move over spidey this is the best comic book movie I've ever seen....well...with a superhero. Let's begin
SPOILERS AHEAD! ------------------------ ----------------- ----------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
The film starts with Mr. Wayne's introduction to bats then lead us to some Asian area of the world. Here, Bruce Wayne is living amongst criminals to learn their ways. After a brief prison brawl a man named Ducard played by a personal favorite of mine, Liam neeson, tells our hero that if he finds a blue flower he'll be told his path yadda yadda yadda. He comes on behalf of Ra's Al Ghul who is played by Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai) Bruce makes his way up the mountain and to Ra's Al Ghul's palace. Here Bruce remembers the death of his parents and how he blames himself. We also see the training that leads to Batman's birth.
Finally it is time for Bruce's test he is to kill a murdering farmer. Bruce refuses. Ducard says his compassion is his weakness...to which Bruce replies that it's what separates them from the criminals. This turns into a huge fight during which Bruce battles Ra's Al Ghul himself, or so we think. The whole palace is set aflame and Bruce manages to save Ducard. I'd like to point out also a line that Bruce's father says..."Why Do We Fall Down?...To Pick Ourselves Up Again"...a lovely line which plays out well in the film. Back to ze story.
We are then brought back to Gotham city where Bruce picks up on his life once more. We are introduced to Dr. Jonathan Crane whose eyes frighten me, and draw too much attention to themselves. O_O. His role as Scare Crow is interesting though I wish he had a bigger finish. I mean being shot in the face with a taser thing...bah.
Soon we get to see Batman build his lair and his assortment of gadgets and the like. It's very interesting and it all makes surprising sense. I also enjoyed Gordon in the film, he and Batman have an interesting relationship which is quite comic at times. This Gordon is much better than what we've been used to...well done Mr. Oldman. This script seems to be by far the best I've seen for a superhero flick. Really....the direction...the cast all phenomenal. Perhaps this is a lesson.
I will say the things I kind of missed include the Alfred from the other movies....though Caine's Alfred is much more entertaining on a different level and still fun. I also missed Elfman's score from the 1st and 2nd film, however this score manages to still maintain a level of excellence. Christopher Nolan managed to create a wonderful batman film and free of cringe moments..minus the first time I heard Bale's Batman voice...which was kind of odd. Spider-Man 2 is considered to be the ultimate comic book movie by some...well move over spidey...Batman is king once more. This is a fantastic film, the story is alright..but certainly not weak..great score, script, direction, action, acting...and all around a wonderful movie certainly one of the best of the year! Go see it now if you can!