Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 5.0
A new Batman for new times
I've been reading a lot of reviews for Batman Begins here, and a lot of comparisons have been made between Tim Burton's "Batman" and this new one. The director who scores the most points depends on whose review you're reading. For many years different artists and storytellers have offered their interpretations of the caped crusader, and I think people have forgotten that Burton's Batman was released in 1989, 16 years ago; a different Batman for a different time.Keaton's version of Batman was intimidating, and got the job done, but he wasn't the strike-fear-into-the-hearts-of-criminals kind of superhuman that batman really is--- speaking in that low growling voice, like Clint Eastwood, with a touch of psychopathic brio. He never really fit, though he wasn't bad. I think that was Tim Burton twisting things the way he likes to. Like making Jonny Dep Willy Wonka, which is a different complaint I won't digress into. Batman was a great movie by itself, and it was also the artistic vision of Tim Burton which gives it a flavor no one can match it because it has his quirky genius threaded into it.Batman Begins *feels* like a truer version Batman, because the other Batman films touched on his origin, but only gave us snippets--- scratching the surface, but never digging deeper. One thing about the old franchise was the comic book feel (especially after Joel Schumacher took over). Superman could come flying in to help, and no one would be surprised. But Batman Begins takes a more realistic approach, and shows you the vulnerable side of Bruce Wayne, and what really motivates him, makes him tic and explains how and why there is a Batman.Batman seems more like Batman, and Alfred is a lot more than just the faithful butler who knows his secrets, we understand (the future police Chief) Gordon's motives, and this film is about the hero and not the multi-million dollar megastar villains. It is down-to-earth and believable--- something only Tim Burton's first two Batman films can compete with, even though there was more focus on the bad guys.And Batman Begins had all the right people in all the right roles. When I heard Christian Bale was to be Batman I remembered how great he was in American Psycho, and I knew he had it in him. Who could prove to be a more loving a loyal Alfred than Michael Caine? Who could have been a more believable Ducard/Ras Al Ghul than Liam Neeson, if one guy knows how to be a sensei/mentor it's him. He taught Obi Wan, didn't he? Gary Oldman is perfect in everything. Katie Holmes was the beautiful girl-next door, not glamorous and not a damsel in distress screaming from one end of the movie to the other, like our gorgeous Vicky Vale was. You tell me who Bruce Wayne would be likelier to fall in love with. The presence of Morgan Freeman and even Rutger Hauer make this ensemble cast exactly what the Batman Franchise needed.Some reviewers make a good point about how fear is the theme of Batman Begins, and it's all about facing down fear, controlling it and using it. Maybe they could have roped in the fear angle a little. However, it showed me what I didn't truly understand until Batman Begins--- that the Batman's best device for getting justice was turning fear on people who use fear; for ordinary citizens to see that they have someone on their side that scares the bad guys gives them strength to stand against it, and when its all said and done Gotham will be able to take care of itself and I understand Batman's purpose. So thanks to Christopher Nolan for revitalizing a dying franchise, and here's to more Batman films like this one.Wow... This wasn't much of a review... It's more like an essay on Batman, but I hope it helped someone.