The reconstruction of a beloved franchise that is the thrill ride of the summer. Masterfully restored and executed by Chrisopher Nolan

Rating: Null/10 (29 June 2005)

For those who may know how the origins of how Bruce Wayne became to be as "Batman",here are some synopsis of how it really began. For one he witness the brutal murder of his parents when he was young boy and from there he went on to become a one-man vigilante taken on those who do mortally wrong and from there seek revenge on the murder of his parents. He is the eyes of justice and the protector of the innocent and for one was also known as the Caped Crusader,as well as The Dark Knight. Since the origins of "Batman",which was created by Bob Kane in 1939,the franchise has gone from the days of the comic books to a fifteen chapter movie serial in the 1940's,to the campy TV show of the 1960's, to the last two big-screen adaptions of the late 1990's,The Dark Knight has been anything but dark. For one he's been eclipsed by his enemies,made bland by studio decision-makers and afflicted with a too-suave attitude that made him seem more than nothing more like James Bond with a utility belt. From the first two "Batman", films that came out during the late 1980's and early 1990's that were directed by Tim Burton,"Batman" and "Batman Returns" were very successfully until the onslaught on the last two installments of the series since the franchise downhill which at the time never recovered which were directed by Joel Schumacher whose last two films "Batman Forever" and the loud unnecessary and dreadful "Batman and Robin",killed it sending the franchise into a eight-year hiatus never to be heard from again. From the lead actors that played the Dark Knight from Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer not to mention George Clooney were optional to played the role but only in my opinion the only actor who portrayed the Caped Crusader that really made the character stand out was Michael Keaton who gave it is style and substance to the role,and from there after the last "Batman" film directed by Burton,it started out turning from brooding and fantastic and then turned to campy,pathetic and stupid,which in fact turn "Batman" fans away. Not to mention lame sidekicks,and outlandish villains also killed it too. Until now.
"Batman Begins",directed by Christopher Nolan("Memento","Insomnia")has given the franchise a needed boost and does it ever succeed its objective. What Nolan has done here was restored and refreshen one of the most lucrative comic-book franchises in motion picture history and its a very far cry from the previous installments which killed it especially the last installment that was made in 1997. However,"Batman Begins" is more into the comic book version and this time around what Nolan did was focus on the origins of Bruce Wayne and how he was destined to be....The Dark Knight. It has been eight years since the last "Batman" installment and DC Comics and Warner Brothers(the studio behind the "Superman","Lethal Weapon",and "Harry Potter" films)were getting killed off in the competition of superheroes as they were being left in the dust as Marvel Comics dominated the theatres and chalking up winners left and right(the glorious and imaginary "Blade","The X-Men",and "Spider-Man" franchises)made a return to the silver screen with the definitive caped crusader adventure. Not only did Nolan make changes to the franchise,but gave it a much darker and sinister tone not to mention hell-bent on revenge. This time around "Batman" is by himself. Gone are the silly sidekicks,outlandish freaky villains,and stupidical story lines that almost sent the "Batman" franchise into a Hollywood graveyard of action films never to be heard from again. But here is what is interesting about the new installment that makes this a bona fide winner. Here is a confident storyline the starts the "Batman" series at ground zero and from there builds momentum as it moves along gracefully with full intense action sequences kick in for maximum enjoyment. This was a polar opposite of the last four films,which in turn went into pop culture and big-budget entertainment. Here screenwriter David Goyer("Blade")and director Christopher Nolan returns the Dark Knight to his original origins based on the comic books reflecting the character as a person and a human being. But fans of the series will be in for a shock and a rude awakening since some of the scenes here are very graphic and are inappropriate for younger children.
As for the cast,it boasts a grand line-up of talent. From Oscar Winning actors Morgan Freeman and Micheal Caine to somewhat an all-British entourage with features Gary Oldman,Tom Wilkinson,Cillian Murphy(as the villain Scarecrow)not to mention actress Katie Holmes. But the real star of "Batman Begins" and the center of attention is actor Christian Bale,who deserves a heap of credit for making the character come to life and come together with great authenticity and he does a excellent job. Bale brings a psychological approach to the character,making him a person of crafty intelligence and sheer qualities to the role. He reinvents the Bruce Wayne character by going deep into the role and it is a deciding factor in a film that goes by grand design and basically strips the franchise down and rebuilds it and from there he gives The Dark Knight authority without either winking or a lot of unnecessary talking and from there the realism of how the character is given says a lot more about the film in general without all the mayhem and without much assistance from some of the special effects needed.
In all "Batman Begins" is the thrill ride of the summer. And how they reconstructed the franchise basically says it all,especially for the film's final moment in which "Batman" takes on "The Scarecrow" which superby sets up the villain for the next installment,scheduled for release in the summer of 2007. "Batman Begins" retains the true origins of the comic book mood,which gives it a more darker,vengeful tone. And from the Christopher Nolan has done a masterful job of bringing back an American Icon.