Bravo Batman

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2005)

George Lucas no longer has the corner on movie prequels. As a matter of fact, he has some serious competition in Batman Begins. The nature of the prequel is unique in the movie world. Paramount to its success, the prequel must make sure that there are questions answered and none left unresolved. This Batman succeeds in these two areas where Lucas' Star Wars films fell short. Where Star Wars shies away from true character development and internal real "relationships", Batman Begins literally thrives on them. Where the Star Wars prequels ignore some very conspicuous paradoxes between the pre-produced sequels and the post-produced prequel, Batman Begins meticulously ensures that all loose ends make sense. Christopher Nolan crafts a darkish tale that thrives on rich, fertile, characters. Nolan may be the master of the "brooding" leading man, artfully utilizing Guy Pearce (Momento, 2000), Al Pacino (Insomnia, 2002) and now Christian Bale in roles that require the lead actor to project internal angst and personal battlegrounds to the very limits of their considerable acting abilities. It is evident that Nolan is a director who is "tuned into" the actor. This makes for top notch film-making and transforms an otherwise car chase/blow-me-up flick into an intelligent, moving, and often thought provoking film.
When one surrounds an already gifted actor like Bale with the likes of movie veterans Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and Liam Neeson, anyone with an appreciation of great movie acting absolutely has to be in a state of nirvana. Nolan effectively orchestrates relationships between his leading character and those surrounding him, and creates a satisfying mix of emotion and pure unadulterated human interaction that keeps the moviegoer wanting desperately to be a part of what ever comes next. In the center of the maelstrom, Bale makes us become a part of his dilemma. His ability to project his innermost thoughts and feelings give us the capacity to not only watch his transformation but to "become" a part of it. Bale takes the notion of "becoming" to an entire new level as we "feel" along with him all his wants, needs, and desires. The catalyst for his need to "find" himself is when he has every intention of murdering the murderer of his parents. His plan is thwarted by mobsters who accomplish the deed for him, but the fact that he could have been so close to being a cold blooded killer out for revenge and the added pressure of his deceased father's altruistic existence send him into a free fall that eventually leads to his resurrection as a super hero. When finished with his Far East ninja training, his decision as to whether to kill or grant mercy is the harbinger of his inner determination to protect the downtrodden in a way that transforms society rather than destroying it by the ostensible "savior" becoming a part of the problem.
As his ninja mentor, Liam Neeson, as usual, is thoughtful and insightful, and is actually part of a plot twist that may surprise even the most stalwart of who-dun-it connoisseurs. Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and Rutger Hauer also turn in solid performances in supporting roles. However, as usual, Michael Caine is incredibly good as the ever faithful mentor and family manservant Alfred. In another understated, but deeply moving performance, Caine provides an amazing characterization that within its own complexity lays the necessary foundation of why an orphaned and child-traumatized "rich boy" has the strength of character to become the defender of the lost. Caine just may be the greatest movie actor ever. Katie Holmes has a good turn as Bruce Ward's love interest and childhood sweetheart. It is a relatively undemanding role but she turns in an adequate performance that is definitely of the caliber of the well seasoned men in the cast. Along the lines of keeping up with the considerable talents of the others in the cast, mention must be made of Cillian Murphy's role as Psychologist Dr. Johnathan Crane alias "Scarecrow". This is a young actor that has a barrel of talent. He is creepy and goofy all at once in a portrayal of a villain in the vein of classic performances ala Lon Chaney, or Frederick March.
All said, Batman Begins is a must see. Albeit burdened with some over long car/commuter train chases (the Batmobile is innovative and awesome), some campy dialog that even the most die hard of fans must chortle at (after all it is a comic book movie), and an overabundance of plot, this movie succeeds in the crucial area that many prequels haven't. By making the audience care deeply about the leading character and utilizing an incredibly talented cast to surround him with the intricacies of himself, Nolan has created a great movie that hopefully will effectively resurrect the previously destroyed Batman movie franchise.