This film is the best BATMAN movie because it puts the Caped Crusader at the center. The Tim Burton films were more showcases for the villains. And we’ll not even mention the Joel Schumacher BATMANs. In comicbook terms BATMAN BEGINS is a reboot of the franchise. That’s when a franchise begins to lag and the comicbook company restarts it to bring fresh life into it again.
This film goes back to the beginning and deals with the inner turmoil that made billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale, THE MACHINIST) become the Batman. After years of feeling guilty over his parent’s death, Bruce Wayne runs away from his life of privilege where we find him in a Tibetan prison, being brutally attacked by other inmates. The mysterious Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson, SCHINDLER’S LIST) helps Wayne leave the prison and study to become a member of the League of Shadows, which is led by Ra’s Al Ghul (Ken Wantanabe, THE LAST SAMURAI). There, Wayne learns to fight crime and injustice, but leaves when the League’s lack of compassion disturbs him.
After returning to Gotham City, Wayne takes up the mantel of Batman to clean up his corrupt hometown. His dutiful butler Alfred (Michael Caine, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES) helps him develop the Batman image, which will stand for something greater than just one man.
He rejoins Wayne Enterprises where CEO Earle (Rutger Hauer, BLADE RUNNER) is trying to take the firm public. He becomes quick friends with Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman, MILLION DOLLAR BABY), who use to be on the board of the company when Bruce’s father was alive, but has now been tucked away in the experimental technologies division where nothing actually goes forward. In fighting the corruption of gangster Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson, IN THE BEDROOM) and shady Arkham Asylum psychologist Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy, 28 DAYS LATER), Batman enlists the help of the good cop Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman, HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN) and childhood friend and assistant DA Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes, WONDER BOYS).
Like the SPIDER-MAN films, BATMAN BEGINS builds a complex and layered world around the main character. The supporting cast here is essential. Alfred serves as a substitute father and conscience for Bruce. Lucius, as well, is a kind of father-figure, but also a confidant and partner for Bruce. Ducard serves as a mentor that Batman grows beyond. The multiple villains add texture and weight to the task that Batman sets out for himself.
All the performances are good. Bale creates the perfect balance between brooding inwardness and cocky idealism. I loved how the film portrays Bruce’s public playboy persona. The themes of fear and justice are handled with great depth and nuisance. It’s amazing what a talented filmmaker like Christopher Nolan (MEMENTO) can do with comicbook material. SPIDER-MAN 2 was hands down the best superhero franchise to date, but now it has some serious competition. With the success of films like REVENGE OF THE SITH, SIN CITY and BATMAN BEGINS, Hollywood is producing blockbusters that aren’t just cheap thrills. Genre filmmaking is back.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
