Batman Begins: A Fresh Start For the Caped Crusader

Rating: 8/10 (22 July 2005)

First there was "Batman," directed by Tim Burton, and starring Michael Keaton. After them in the franchise, Burton was followed by Joel Schumaker, and Keaton was followed by Val Kilmer, then George Clooney. Now we have "Batman Begins," directed by Christopher Nolan, and starring Christian Bale. After the campy fiasco that was "Batman & Robin," the franchise returns to the dark, gritty style that defined the Batman comic. Bale turns in a decent performance as the latest Bruce Wayne/Batman. Other great performances come from Michael Caine as the ever-faithful butler Alfred; Liam Neeson as Ducard; Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka the Scarecrow. The dark imagery serves Gotham City well, and the Scarecrow's hallucinations put on a good creepy feel. Nolan and Bale have redeemed the Batman franchise, and leave us all looking forward to the sequel.