The Bat is Back!

Rating: 8/10 (15 June 2005)

Batman Begins
Dir. Christopher Nolan Starring: Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Tom Wilkinson, Ken Watanabe, Rutger Hauer and Cillian Murphy Rating: PG-13 for intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements. Length: 141 minutes Rating: ****1/2 (Four and a half stars out of five)
In the summer of 1989 history was made as director Tim Burton transformed one of the most popular comics of all time into one of the most popular films of the time, unleashing a dark and epic blockbuster that helped define a style. A franchise was begun, and its name was Batman.
Then, in the summer of 1997 history was again made. Batman & Robin opened, a film that achieved the rare feat of almost single-handedly stopping a hit franchise dead in its tracks. To some it is even considered to be one of the worst mainstream films of all time, and such claims are not without merit. Boy did Batman & Robin kill, bury and then utterly destroy and blast into oblivion whatever respect the name "Batman" carried, at least when it came to the silver screen. So is it even possible, or reasonable, to bring back a franchise many would consider best left dead?
Well, with a film as good as Batman Begins it is.
Perhaps the best of the bunch in the recent explosion of comic book movies, the first thing that Batman Begins has going for it is the talent. Loaded with big names, from director Christopher Nolan (the man behind Memento, the 2000 indie hit that messed with time and psychology) to a cast featuring just about everybody on the planet, everything bristles with energy, veracity and most importantly purpose.
Still, it takes more than big names to make a film good. There are no worries, though, as director Nolan is able to take all the money and opportunity thrown at him and mold potential into perfection. Or close to it, at least. Although a summer "event" film, there is much depth to be found amongst the explosions and car chases, and the film carries an emotional weight that few blockbusters care to bother with.
Now, besides the luggage Batman Begins carries in the world of Hollywood, it also has a lot to explain when it comes to the events in a little place called Gotham. Several villains, including Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul populate this new Gotham, which itself no longer appears either goth or camp. Rather, Nolan's Gotham most resembles a real city.
Then there's more characters in the form of a love interest played by Katie Holmes (don't tell Tom Cruise), and all the usual suspects such as the butler Alfred and the tech-guru Lucius Fox. Adding to an already full plate is a host of corrupt executives and seedy crime lords. And then of course there's Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, or is it Batman? And make no mistake, this is his film.
So yes, no doubt about it, Batman Begins is a busy film. Yet it never becomes a chore. Despite all the different characters and themes, the film enjoys connecting all the dots, and rather than breezing through the exposition to get to the good stuff it takes its time.
Of course, the "good stuff" is still there. Namely, action! And of course the action does not disappoint. Not overused and always purposeful, i.e. never action for actions sake, it help keeps the film on the right track, towards class and not camp.
Ultimately, though, this is a film that really isn't just about derailed trains and twirling police cars, and it is this determination to do more than offer pleasant eye candy that helps Batman Begins avoid the disposable nature of many films in its class (for an example just move over to the next theatre where Mr. and Mrs. Smith is likely playing.) This Batman is about the characters and what drives them, with most of them fleshed out beyond the simple black and white stereotypes of "good" and "evil."
The only main complaint that jumps out comes near the end, where it seems a scene is completely left out. Part of downtown Gotham is in ruins, many are most likely dead or at least injured, and yet hardly any mention of this is made after the fact.
However, it's a small nitpick, and Batman Begins ends on the same high-note it began with. As a sequel is hinted at, likely to feature Batman's most famous foe, a surprisingly high amount of anticipation is created as it becomes clear that the last words likely to go through the minds of moviegoers all about will be, "chill out."