Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 5.0
Batman Begins ...A Franchise Rebirth to Prominence.
Tim Burton's carnival film noir atmosphere is gone and Joel Schumacher's campiness is shelved. What is left is a straightforward Batman adventure whom everyone thought would have to be director-proof. BATMAN BEGINS is what some say is the "they-finally-got-it-right" Batman movie. Director Christopher Nolan's vision seems to be what everyone can agree on, as Batman/Bruce Wayne doesn't play second fiddle to the villain(s) in this film. He is definitely at the forefront of the story. Christian Bale is the most intense and angry Bruce Wayne so far in the series and his Batman is even angrier. The origin of Batman is explored with greater depths and one of the key ingredients is the character of Bruce Wayne's father Thomas Wayne played by Linus Roache, who comes off as interesting a character as Bruce Wayne. The story by co-screenwriters Nolan and David S. Goyer is multi-layered and involving tying in Batman's origin with a plot of an ancient secret society to destroy Gotham City. An impressive cast in this film surrounds Christian Bale. Gary Oldman who has made a career of playing evil characters is terrific as the pre-commissioner James Gordon (he's a police lieutenant in Batman's early days). Gordon is given more depth and character in this film than in the previous films. The other standouts are Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox (playing a sort of James Bond's "Q" character) and Michael Caine as Alfred the butler. When Alfred/Caine utters the one phrase "Never!" to Bruce Wayne's/Bale's "You haven't given up on me yet!", it is the single best line in the whole film! With the three powerhouse support characters, it is hard to remember that Liam Neeson, Tom Wilkinson, and Rutger Hauer also round out the cast. Lastly, Chicago is the backdrop for the fictionalized Gotham City and the film seems to break out from the restraints and confines of Anton Fursts set designs of the first films bringing the film more into the modern world. This is a great re-introduction of Batman to the motion picture scene and a needed boost for the Batman franchise. This reviewer hopes that the last scene with Gordon showing Batman the "calling card" of a certain villain is just the tip of the iceberg of what's in store of great things to come.