“Batman Begins” (Warner Brothers)
Watching the new movie “Batman Begins” is like starting over with this franchise one more time. The last time there was a “Batman” series of movies it started out great with Tim Burton directing and Michael Keaton starring as the “caped crusader.” But after that things began to go downhill and the “awful” factor hit its high point with “Batman and Robin.”
Following that fiasco Hollywood seemed to wash its hands of any more of these movies. But now, eight years after George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell embarrassed themselves; a new Batman adventure appears on the movie screens of America. It is titled “Batman Begins” and it is the best Batman movie ever.
This film is directed by Christopher Nolan who gave us the inventive “Memento” and the puzzling “Insomnia.” Nolan brings his considerable directorial talent to this film and makes it unique. It certainly has its dark tones, but it also has some humorous moments too. Nolan uses the basic storyline and plays it straight. There are no camp moments in the movie and no comic book violence.
As Batman/Bruce Wayne, Christian Bale is terrific. He hasn’t been this dynamic or this charismatic since “American Psycho.” It’s as if he has been building his career (since “Empire of the Sun”) for this very role. He has the right chin to fit inside the bat cowl, and the right physique to make you believe his feats of strength.
The movie starts with Bruce Wayne being ten years old or so. He falls down an abandoned well and is traumatized by the fluttering and screeching bats that live there. Shortly thereafter he watches in horror as a mugger guns down his parents. These two instances help form the person he becomes as an adult.
Nolan uses darkness and intense sounds to help propel his story and to create a mood. He also cast amazingly appropriate actors for each and every role. Michael Caine is oh so good as Alfred, Bruce Wayne’s major domo. Gary Oldman is impressive as Jim Gordon, the policeman who becomes Batman’s friend. Morgan Freeman is quirky and inventive as Lucius Fox who supplies the gadgets and the gizmos.
Even Katie Holmes (“I love this woman!”) is convincing as Rachel, Bruce Wayne’s childhood sweetheart. She doesn’t let her lips curl sideways until the very end of the movie.
The movie is rated PG-13 for violence and mild profanity. The swarming bats and other violent instances in the movie might frighten small children. But for the rest of us, it is action and excitement from the word go!
Forget “Star Wars III,” forget “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” forget “Cinderella Man” (oh, that’s right. You already have) – “Batman Begins” is going to be the big movie of the summer. Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan are the winning team for this franchise. Bring on the sequel.
I scored “Batman Begins” a re-started 8 out of 10.
