Batman Begins - 2 Disc Edition [2005]

Nolan, whose curriculum vitae already features Memento and Insomnia, focuses his attention where films in the franchise haven't gone before--by examining that character of Batman himself. Thus, the story here is the genesis of the character, from the death of Bruce Wayne's parents, harrowing training with the mysterious League of Shadows, right through to the Dark Knight's first appearances on the street of a crime-ridden, moody Gotham City.

Nolan plays several trump cards in his take on the Batman legacy, and none pay off quite so handsomely as his casting. Christian Bale is an immense force in the dual role of Bruce Wayne and Batman, bringing a brooding anger and genuine unease to the Batsuit. He's backed with strong turns from Tom Wilkinson, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, and Cillian Murphy as the unstable Scarecrow.

In spite of a last twenty minutes that can't quite sustain the tone of what's gone before, Batman Begins is a major achievement, and one of the finest superhero movies to date. Easily the best of the Dark Knight's big screen adventures, it manages to be a blockbuster film that's unpredictable, compulsive, superb to look at and well worth many repeated viewings. A staggering achievement, particularly considering the state the Batman franchise had got itself into.--Simon Brew

Christopher Nolan creates a whole new film from the comic sources, especially Frank Miller's seminal 'Batman: Year One'. He remains faithful to the character's history whilst developing engaging characters rather than creating a movie around set-pieces. That said, the set-pieces that feature are spectacular, and, like the rest of the movie, grounded in the realism (as much as is possible in a comic-book world). Gotham truly feels like a sprawling, seething city with an impressive monorail system and inner island. The characters play major parts in Bruce Wayne's life and the development of Bruce/Batman as a character is excellent. The movie turns out even better than one could have imagined upon learning that Nolan was going to direct a realistic Batman movie with Christian Bale as the protagonist. It is emotionally and intellectually fulfilling, and supremely enjoyable, something lacking in many films today, let alone comic-book based movies.


A whole new beginning   September 22, 2005
22 out of 24 found this review helpful

Only when you've entirely removed the concept that this is continuing on from the Burton (good)/ Schumacher (bad) series, then you will trully appreciate Batman Begins in it's own merit.
As the title suggests, it states the origins of the dark knight.
Here we have a young, bitter Bruce Wayne (Bale) overwhelmed by his impotent rage (from the death of his parents- but you knew that already), brawling in some unnamed prison in China being rescued and educated into a sort of ninja vigilante by a man named Henri Ducard (Neeson). From there on out we have a steady progression into the masked spook we all know and love. Along the way he battles the mob and the Scarecrow (Murphy).
The Chicago settings are utilised to the best of their abilities in creating a dark, grimy, overpopulated city (much.. like Chicago) and the music, though somewhat old-hat, is impeccable in acheiving what we expect, the kind of music you can comfortably ignore when watching a film like this.
The cast too is top notch. Bale is by far the most angry of the Batmen, and certainly maintains the intensity you would expect from a methodical viglante dressed like an animal. Keaton may have got across a dark, more worn out mean spirit of the later Wayne but Bale manages to be every bit as fierce as a young angry man could be. Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman are strong supporting cast, the latter playing against the usual stereotype of nutcase and instead playing earnest and honest Commisioner Gordon. But it's Cillian Murphy who really stands out as the first non-jokey/camp Batman villian. Murphy is superb in his measured malice, a corrupt psychiatrist whose meddling in crime is made more sinister by his hidden pleasure to psychologically torture people. Even his mask is given a reason for existence rather than the usual resigned 'well he's just mad is all' approach. He wears a sort of potato sack mask over his face to scare mental patients in his experiments. By the end he is less like the ridiculous comic character and more a mix between BF Skinner and Harold Shipman.
Of course this movie is not without it's faults. The weak love story between Bale and the ever annoying Katie Holmes only takes away from the action and is only there to make sure no one thinks ol' Wayne is gay. Secondly the Scarecrow isn't given nearly enough screen time, which in comparasion to the Joker and the Penguin's billing in the first two Batmen seems a little lacking. Third, in it's promise to be darker and edgier it still is 12 rating. This isn't nearly as violent as it could've been or even as edgy as it should've been (by comparasion to Batman Forever or Batman And Robin, though, it's the equivalent to Silence Of The Lambs or Clockwork Orange). And Lastly though they claim to be going for all it's ingeniuety it falls into the stock 'train derailed' climax, like Spiderman2 only less.

Still, it's a solid interpretation that stands alone as intriguing as it is entertaining. Fans of the comics will be more in tune with this gritty vision and the average joe can be pleased with the limited amount of CGI action.


bale the best   October 20, 2005
Mr. A. J. Richards (Weston Super Mare)
16 out of 19 found this review helpful

This goes a long way to expell all the doubters of the batman series of movies as they crumbled, quite surprisingly, under Joel Schumachers reign. Batman Forever had its moments but was only a film to fill a gap in the summer season of 1995 and batman forever was truely dreadful. Yes, Batman Begins was a summer blockbuster but one that wasn't afraid to be a little more diverse than alot of the summer rubbish. This film relies heavily on its main man, that in the form of Christian Bale, he is amazing as the dark knight and deserves all acclaim for not only this but all his carefully chosen films he has acted in. As Bruce Wayne, Bale shows a sarcastic sometimes irresponsible manner but as the bat he shows no fear and his failings are surpressed while battling for good. Although a fantastical film it remains an intellectual study on the power of fear and withholding your inner strengths. With all the bit part players having a good influence on the film and a great haunting score and a thoughtful, informative approach from the director this film really grows on you. its only downfall being a couple of poorly edited fight scenes, but im sure Nolan will get that right for the next movie. Has to be 5 stars though as the attention to detail is so respectable and the film is exciting stuff. Yes theres better independent or smaller scale films out there but considering the market this film has to commercially portray this really does succeed.


Batman Soars to New Emotional Heights   October 19, 2005
Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States)
13 out of 19 found this review helpful

I've always been a casual Batman fan at best. I liked the 60's TV show and the later films, but found the first two way too dark for my tastes. I had little desire to see this film until friends and family started raving about it. I decided to give it a try. Am I ever glad I did.

Ignoring all previous movie and TV series, this movie begins with a Bruce Wayne unsure what to do with his life. Through flashbacks, we see his tragic childhood including his parent's murder. Back in the present, Bruce begins a quest to deal with his inner demons. Ultimate, it leads him to return to Gotham City in his dual roll. And it's just in time. Corruption and crime have overtaken the city, with the Scarecrow leading the pack. Can this rookie vigilante deal with the menace?

I think what impressed me with the movie was the back story. For once I finally understood why a millionaire would risk life and limb like Bruce does on a regular basis. For a superhero movie, the story is slow, especially in the set up. But it really feels more like a drama then a superhero movie, so it really works well. And there are plenty of action scenes, not to mention a climax that is intense enough to make up for the earlier aspects of the movie.

Ultimately, I walked away from this film feeling very satisfied. This is a movie everyone can enjoy whether they are a die hard Batman fan or not.