Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 5.0
The Night Begins
Batman is more than a superhero, more than movie and comic book entertainment. He is cold, disciplined justice that protects the weak - yet is tragically flawed. He is the dark part of the subconcious that lurks in all of us. Batman represents the border between sanity and insanity.Batman is more than a cultural icon. He is a legend and a myth. Why else is New York City often referred to as "Gotham?" In the astounding Batman Begins, the myth is reborn.Christian Bale is perfect to play Bruce Wayne, the billionaire who is orphaned when a mugger kills his mother and father in cold blood. When I saw Bale in "Equilibrium," his tiger-like athleticism and dark, brooding demeanor made me confident that Bale was worthy to inherit the mantle of Batman. For those of you who liked the Matrix, I highly recommend you check out Equilibrium.In "Begins," director Christopher Nolan (Memento) and screenplay co-writer David Goyer explore how Wayne adopts his alter ego. On a Siddartha-like quest, Wayne leaves his friends and business empire to find himself in the (Very) Far East.The talent in this movie is astounding. Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai) plays enigmatic Ras-Al-Ghul, powerful head of a spiritual, ninja-like clan. Liam Neesan plays Henri Ducard, Ghul's head man, who trains Bruce in the ways of the night fighter. Wayne is a proficient student. All of Neeson's dialouge is highly quotable and inspiring. I can't wait to get my hands on a screenplay.Wayne returns to Gotham City. His childhood friend, played by Katie Holmes, knows something is up. She is now a relentless D.A. bent on eliminating the corruption that is plaguing the city that was once fair in the heyday of Bruce's parents. Her target is Arkham Asylum, run by the enigmatic Professor Jonathan Crane (played by the amazing Cillian Murphy).The Wayne's family butler Alfred is played by Michael Caine. Wayne scientist Lucius Fox is played by Morgan Freeman. Alfred and Fox are Bruce's only allies in his war on crime. A younger Police Commissioner Gordon is played to perfection by the chameleon-like Gary Oldman.Do not waste time. Purchase this DVD for your collection.