Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 5.0
Fantastic Beginning
I am not one of those detractors of the last cycle of "Batman" films. For those too young to remember Tim Burton, the director of "Batman" and "Batman Returns", was a young visionary filmmaker and his offerings in the series reflected his comic-goth outlook. Joel Schumacher, the director of "Batman Forever" and "Batman and Robin", took a campier approach to the character. While Schumacher's films were entertaining there wasn't much artistry to them. Also, these films were geared towards casting movie stars instead of actors appropriate to their roles. For instance, Jack Nicholson, who played the Joker in the first installment(and was quite good), received top billing over Michael Keaton as Batman. The makers of this film probably took their cues from Sam Raimi in how he cast his "Spider-Man" films. Though Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, or Alfred Molina would be considered household names they were the right actors for the roles and that contributed to the success of Raimi's films. Warner Brothers must have taken notice because they hired a director, Christopher Nolan, whose previous work, "Memento" and "Insomnia", were critical successes but hardly blockbusters. Where he departs from the previous "Batman" films is that the emphasis is on Batman and not on the "guest villains". Christian Bale is the perfect choice for the conflicted Bruce Wayne/Batman. Bale, aside from his impressive physique, expertly displays the torment of a man who loathes injustice but has to skirt the fine line between crusader and vigilante. An example at how well cast a film this is Cillian Murphy, who is excellent as the Scarecrow, isn't the most interesting secondary character. That plaudit goes to Liam Neeson as Ducard, Bruce Wayne's mentor in Tibet. Ducard is by no means a cardboard character rather a complex one who loathes the criminal element but differs from Bruce ever so slightly in combating it. Michael Caine, born to play Alfred the butler when he reached a certain age(Michael Gough, you were fab in the first four). Lastly, I refuse to be fashionable and diss Katie Holmes as Bruce's love interest. Katie, you were great.