A New Beginning

Rating: 10/10 (24 June 2005)

This film is a great throw back to Tim Burton's original, and in many ways surpasses it. Here, Gotham city is back to it's Gothic atmosphere and thankfully, as far away from the campy nature of Batman and Robin.
The story of Batman's origins makes for a prefect film. Why this regular man, with no actual superpowers, becomes the Dark Knight is a great story. From the beginning, when Bruce Wayne is training with Ducard, to his transformation into Batman, the story is given a realistic edge to it that makes the characters all the more interesting. The reasons behind Wayne's choice to become Batman are made completely plausible through flash backs to his childhood. It's difficult to say more without ruining the plot, but it's actually a very interesting look at how fear can rule people's lives.
The action in the movie is reminiscent of The Bourne Identity, and earlier action flicks like Speed. There are great car chases and fight scenes. One fight scene in particular has a horror movie edge to it. The action mixed with the interesting story make this an excellent film.
Christian Bale makes a great Batman and a great Bruce Wayne, and not at all difficult on the eyes. I think he tops Michael Keaton and, since the film itself kind of rests on the shoulders of the actor playing Batman, it speaks to how good Bale is in that the movie is so good. Gary Oldman is fantastic as Lieutenant Gordon. It's nice to see him not play a psychopath . . . Michael Caine (Alfred), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), and Liam Neeson (Ducard) also offer great performances. Cillian Murphy, who I have only previously seen in 28 Days Later - and who also auditioned for the role of Batman, but ended up being cast as Doctor Crane/The Scarecrow - proves that he is going to be an actor to watch for in the coming years.
The only person who falls short in this cast is Katie Holmes. She is by no means bad in the movie, but compared to the huge talent that surrounds her, she just can't quite compete. It's too bad that a better actress couldn't have been cast, but she is the only weak point of this film, and as I said, she's not even that bad.
So, I give this movie a 10 because Batman has always been my favourite comic book hero and this film made the movie franchise great again. Go see it!