Nolan, Goyer and Christian Bale Batman out of Goofham.

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 2005)

Having seen this film a 2nd time only confirms my initial take on it. This is an angry, ferocious, intelligent and thoroughly adult Batman. However it is a warmer film the 2nd time around. When Nolan was announced as the director to resurrect the Bat a couple of years ago I was thrilled. I knew he wouldn't screw it up. Let's face it the excellent MEMENTO and INSOMNIA weren't exactly laugh riots. The thoughtfulness that made those films what they are make BATMAN BEGINS what it is. Before we declare it the best film based on comic book character or story we must remember THE CROW. Bale is perfect as Bruce Wayne/Batman. He is brooding, tortured and deadly serious, but (like Brandon Lee as Eric Draven/The Crow) there is a real soulfulness in his work. He and Russell Crowe (from the greatly under-appreciated Cinderella MAN--the other great film of '05) dominate but never steal, the screen when they are on it. Also I loved Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldham (refreshingly playing a good guy) and Morgan Freeman. There is not a single sour note in any work here and, yes, I think Tom Wilkinson as Falcone does a fine job. This is a film for the mind and the eye. Like Cinderella MAN the riches here are very abundant. When I was 1st blown away by Frank Miller's revisionist Batman in "The Dark Knight Returns" (and it unfairly maligned sequel), BATMAN BEGINS was how I hoped Batman would be translated to the big screen. BATMAN RETURNS came close (thanks to Keaton, Pfieffer and DeVito), but this Bat even blows that one away. This film has as much Frank Miller in it (along with some Alan Moore) as Miller's own SIN CITY. BATMAN BEGINS is astonishing. Note to Christopher Nolan and David Goyer: if you can pull off an R-rating I loved to see "The Killing Joke".