Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 5.0
Batman Begins on the right track
Like a lot of others I wasn't sure if another Batman movie was necessary, with the Burton masterpieces and the Schumacher disasters still fresh in everyone's minds. But like those people, I was wrong. This was the Batman movie that surpassed my expectations, an experience so rich and entertaining that I didn't think it could be done as live-action. Really, it's the tale of a man obsessed with darkness, trying to find a way to fight the shadows without being consumed by them. A man who takes the law into his own hands against a much greater evil than he could've ever imagined. And oh yeah, the man just happens to call himself Batman.Performances are spot-on all around, and Christian Bale easily makes Batman/Bruce Wayne his own. The cast is fairly star-studded, and each one contributes their share without putting their ego in, for a true ensemble piece. All the little origin details are here, from why Batman takes bats as influence, why he needs a cape, and what a practical Batmobile would look like. Two things feel off: Katie Holmes, who is generally good but not given a lot to do, and the ending that ties everything neatly together with a "destroy Gotham" plot. It takes a bit of suspension of disbelief, but it's worth it for an otherwise flawless film.Warner Bros. released Batman Begins in single and deluxe dvd editions. The bonus materials on the deluxe set are good, though there needs to be more, and the menu is a stylized comic book presentation that loses all sense of functionality. Early editions came with a free comic book featuring a sampling of stories the film draws influence from. It was a nice bonus, but as the stories can easily be found elsewhere, you're not missing much if your copy didn't come with it (the "Long Halloween" story in particular, is only chapter 1 of a story that deserves a purchase on its own).The Burton films are still excellent interpretations of Batman, but Batman Begins will probably be remembered as the most authentic screen-telling yet. A great film for fans, and great for converting non-fans.