Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 5.0
BATMAN IS BAAAAACK!!!!
In this fifth installment of the ever popular Batman feature film series, Christian Bale suits up as our caped superhero. Overall, Christian handles the role of Batman very effectively, complete with the scratchy, raspy voice that is downright creepy. He is a little bit less convincing as Bruce Wayne, although who watches a Batman movie to see Bruce Wayne? I thought the fighting scenes were done well, but most were shot so close-up to the action I felt like I wasn't seeing half of the scene. That is the one downside to this movie, if it has any downsides. Supporting Bale are Michael Caine, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy as the Scarecrow. Michael Caine brings the character of Alfred to a whole new great level although I would still take Michael Gough as Bruce's butler anyday. Katie Holmes I thought did a decent job as the assistant DA/Bruce Wayne's love interest, although I feel the film could have gone on without her. Finally Cillian Murphy does a great portrayal of the big villain in the fim, the Scarecrow/Dr. Jonathan Crane. Unlike in previous Bat films, where there is usually one or two villains or bad guys, in this film there is at least 5 if not more. The Scarecrow is a genuinely alarming and menacing bad guy and is definitely a step up from the goofball Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin, the worst film in the series. Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman are great additions to the cast as well as great portrayals of their characters, Neeson as Wayne's mentor and Freeman as Bruce's ally in Wayne Enterprises, remeniscent of Q in the James Bond series. Basically, this is the story in a nutshell: Bruce Wayne, seeking to restore Gotham City to its glory days before crime and corruption eroded it, sets out to be trained and taught all about the fundamentals of putting fear into the hearts of those who do evil, and the physical force necessary to stop them. Ra'as Al Guhl (Ken Wattanbe), along with Ducard (Liam Neeson) train Bruce on the skills that he desires. Scarecrow, along with a slew of corrupt cops in the Gotham City Police Department, set out to unleash a fear toxin upon the city using Gotham's water supply and a microwave transmitter. There are also some plot twists involving Ra'as Al Guhl and Ducard as well, but telling them here would seriously pretty much reveal the whole movie. It is up to Bruce Wayne, who designs the Batsuit and the Batmobile with the help of Morgan Freeman's character, to put a stop to the Scarecrow/Dr. Crane's plans. A very well told story, it thoroughly explains Bruce's youth and the entire backstory of the film that ultimately turns Bruce Wayne into his alter-ego, Batman. A superbly casted, and well directed film by Chris Nolan, this movie represents Batman's best. Gone are the silly anatomically correct Bat costumes, and the cartoonish villains, as well as the so-so Batmobile and gadgets. There is nothing silly, cartoonish or so-so about this great movie. The best movie of 2005 hands down, Batman Begins.