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Rating: 4 out of 5
Batman Begins is the Batman film that everyone has been waiting for. A movie that actually does the story of Batman significantly and actually tells the background of Batman. It is a true origin story. Batman has been portrayed in many films throughout the years. In the 1940s, Lewis Wilson first portrayed the Cape Crusader on screen in the serial films. Most serial films were used as propaganda during World War II. In 1949, Robert Lowery donned the mask in another set of serial films. In 1966, the funny Adam West wore the mask in Batman: The Movie. Batman: The Movie showed the effects of “Pow” and “Kaboom,” along with having almost every known Batman villain at the time. The movie was bright, campy, and way over the top. It is the complete opposite of what the Dark Knight is thought of today. In 1989, Director Tim Burton came along and introduced his version of Batman to the big screen. He casts Michael Keaton in the lead role. This version of the movie was way darker than its predecessor with diving a little bit into Batman’s past. The problem with this movie was that Jack Nicholson, as the Joker, stole the film and became an icon rather than Batman himself. Damn Joker, always upstaging the hero. Many squeals (Batman Returns and Batman Forever) followed with the ever-changing lead person playing Batman. By the time 1997, Batman & Robin came along. The movie was so bad and unwatchable that Batman became a joke. That movie turned Batman into an over the top cartoon version with lousy acting. Hell, from 1992-1995, Batman: The Animated Series was far better representation than the movies. I highly recommend you watch that series. Perfection.
Director Christopher Nolan was given his chance to take the reins of the series and reboot the series altogether. Nolan, along with and writer David S. Goyer, decided to strip the whole series down to the very beginnings. Just like with somethings in life (car, finances, life), the best thing to do is start from the very beginning and look at the situation in a different way. Besides the CGI theatrics and cartoony feel, Nolan decided to shift his version of an origin story to a darker tone but with a very realistic feel while making the audience feel for the characters. Unlike the other DC superheroes, Batman is a superhero without powers. He can’t fly, run at super speeds or shoot laser beams from his eyes. He is just a normal man like everyone else in the world with a ton of money.
Director Nolan decided to dig deep into the past and the creation of Bruce Wayne and Batman that no other movie has done. Nolan does this by spending the first half (hour) of the film actually showing how Bruce Wayne becomes Batman even before donning the Batman suit. Like looking at a puzzle, Nolan found that his first piece must have some real backbone to it. That after years of saying Bruce Wayne was a tortured soul, no movie actually proved how tortured he was and how he came to be. He was always Batman, and the deaths of his parents sent him on that path, but no movie actually explained his path. In true Christopher Nolan fashion, Nolan intertwines his origin story in two distinct acts together for the first hour like a perfectly woven net before meeting up in the middle and unveiling Batman. Nolan then moves on to having the city love the superhero while finishing the movie with a “calling card” from a new villain.
The first act of the story and the start of Batman Begins deals with a very young Bruce Wayne. In this act, we see the relationship Bruce has with his parents, especially his father. We understand how his father is a nobleman and wants to help the city. How he helped build Gotham from the ground up while the city somewhat named “Wayne Tower” as the center of the city. Bruce admires his father as he stated to him at a young age, “Why do we fall? So we learn to pick ourselves up?” The act also explores the very nature of Bruce’s fear, which ironically is bats. While playing with his best friend, Racheal Dawes, he falls down a well and breaks his arm. While in the well, he stares into a black hole when bats fly out and scare him. Even though the story is the same on how his parents die, Nolan doesn’t make any suggestions on who the killer might be. He quickly states who the killer is and the effects it has on Bruce’s life from grief and anger. While in this time, Nolan carefully takes the time to present Gotham in a way never seen before. In previous versions, Gotham has been portrayed as a fantastical type of place. Nolan adds his realism factor by making the city seem like any other city but ravaged with corruption. Before Bruce confronts mob-boss Falcone, Rachel shows Bruce what the horrific evil has done. Nolan shows what the real streets and slums of Gotham look like. What is underneath the glamour and what is really happening. After meeting with Falcone, Bruce decides to vanish from the world to learn about the criminal underworld.
The second act of the first half of the film deals with the reasons Bruce left the city while presenting him as a man on the search for answers. He is on the quest to explore the criminal. He states how he wanted to learn the criminal mind, ultimately traveling half-way across the world and becoming a criminal himself. While in prison, he endures brutal treatment as a prisoner. After successfully defending himself against six men and thrown into a room, he meets a mysterious man named Henri Ducard. Ducard is impressed by his spirit and invites him to train under the tutelage of Ra’s Al Ghul and the League of Shadows. Ducard offers Bruce the chance to be what he truly wants, the savior of Gotham. Ducard becomes Bruce’s mentor and trains him in hand-to-hand combat, sword-fighting, mind-control, and deception. Rejecting the League of Shadows’ way of handling conflict, Bruce abandons the League and returns home to Gotham. He starts his own mission of cleaning up the city while being the symbol everyone fears. This arc is just as important as the first because this is the first time we actually see the training of Bruce Wayne. Previous films just let you assume he trained, but this film actually took the time to show what the training was like but also what mistakes Bruce made. It added more of a human factor to the iconic superhero because, just like everyone else, he had to work to get what he wanted.
Nolan continues his origin story with Bruce recruiting members to his group while keeping his identity secret. Besides the ever-faithful Alfred, Bruce identifies two other members. The straight edge, uncorrupted cop, Jim Gordon, and the scientific genius put into exile Lucius Fox. Each character plays their respective roles in the preparation of Batman. With all the developments and precisely at the half-way point, we are memorably introduced to Batman. Batman fights against Falcone’s men in an action-packed display. After defeating all and getting his hands-on Falcone, we are blessed with the words, “I’m Batman.” Unlike all the previous Batman movies, the villains take a true backseat in this movie. Yes, every hero needs a villain to fight against, but sometimes it’s best to get people aware of what you are doing before attacking. That is what Nolan did so perfectly. He takes the time for the audience to learn and feel about his main character rather than fighting. Nolan presents Bruce with a situation he never saw coming. Ultimately Bruce Wayne/Batman comes face to face against his former mentor Ducard, who wants to fulfill the League of Shadows and burn Gotham to the ground. Ducard has obtained the services of Dr. Crane, a mad psychologist, who has created a potent toxin that drives people crazy.
With any movie, it’s all about the casting. The wrong cast can break a film, and the right cast can make a movie. The studio did a great job in the casting of their characters.
Christian Bale won the lead role for the casting of Batman. Bale had the look and acting to pull off a person like Bruce Wayne. His previous work as the psychopath in American Psycho gave light that he could add something to the character he was about to play. Bale proved as a wise choice as he genuinely brought Bruce Wayne to life. Bale added the depth and substance that Bruce Wayne has from the effects of his life. He perfectly pulled off Bruce Wayne, the fun-loving billionaire playboy, but is haunted by his parent’s death and drive to rid the world of crime. As Batman, Bale showed the unrivaled fury that he has against corruption. The dedication it takes to be a symbol for the people. The one thing I will say I didn’t like is the voice change. One minute you sound like a sophisticated member of society, and the next, you sound like a deep voice gorilla trying to intimidate your enemies. You are dressed in a bat costume, and you are kicking some major ass. You are already scary.
Michael Caine, as Alfred, is a perfect choice. Alfred has always been known as Bruce Wayne’s butler but also right-hand man and voice of reason. Caine perfectly plays the father figure but also a friend of Bruce. He gives his advice but also states it in a way to make Bruce think for a second before diving in. My personal favorite character is Lucius Fox, played by the great Morgan Freeman. Lucius is a scientist at Wayne Enterprise who has been kicked off the board and put into exile. Freeman brings some comic relief to the movie by asking questions and giving that look from the answer he gets. We all know that look as “Really?” Freeman gives his smooth flow like an old grandpa without a care. For example, when Bruce asks to take stuff, Freeman perfectly says, “The way I see it, this is all your stuff rather than mine.” I love me some Gary Oldman. Oldman is another excellent casting as the old James Gordon. Rather than coming in as commissioner, Gordon is just a sergeant. Oldman plays him as a quiet, dedicated street cop who knows his place in the force but also doesn’t want to be corrupted by the crime of Gotham. Then there is Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. She just didn’t seem to fit in the movie. She appeared out of place and not really someone fit in the Gotham world.
The great Liam Neeson as Ducard was a perfect choice. Neeson brings his Qui-Gon Jinn appeal to the film without the major theatrics. Neeson plays Ducard as a smart, driven man who helps Bruce focus his rage and grief into strength. Neeson does it in such a cool way. He is like that hard uncle that shows you your faults, but you still appreciate him. Finally, there is Cillian Murphy as Dr. Crane/Scarecrow. Murphy was by far the creepiest character in the film. His piercing blue eyes and the way he looked sometimes made him look crazy. Now he did go out like a punk, but his performance of being the doctor is truly good.
I would be cheating you if I didn’t talk about Batman’s gadgets. Nolan takes the approach once again of adding his realism factor to it. Gone are the flashy car in like Batman & Robin or the high-tech car that somehow gains armor in the Batman Returns. Nolan goes with a vehicle that you can almost see happening. It is almost like a hybrid of a tank and Humvee. Don’t get me wrong; it is still unrealistic with its stealth mode that happens to jump on roofs, but when you see it, you will say, “That’s a Batman vehicle.” Also gone are all the fancy toys. We see Bruce actually making his Batman darts and using them. His grabbling gun is pretty much all he has on him. His suit is one that you sit and say, “Yea, I can see that.” As Lucius puts it, no one wants to pay $300,000 to save a life in war. “
Batman Begins is a pleasant surprise for any superhero fan. If you have been disappointed in the past with the previous movies, this one will not disappoint you in any way, shape, or form. Christopher Nolan takes his time and carefully crafts a story that shows the real beginning of the Cape Crusader. He spends the time showing you the pain and struggles of Bruce Wayne before unleashing him in the world of Gotham. Christopher Nolan put his mark on the superhero and movie that might become the standard of all Batman movies. For the first time, a superhero seems closer to a regular person than an out of this world person. That’s what Batman is. He might be super-rich, but he is just a man that has trained his body to the fullest potential. Nolan created a realistic look of this character and backs it up with a cast that adds to the realism and a city that seems like New York or Los Angeles or even Chicago. Batman Begins truly lives up to the title. A film that will honestly set up a path for future films to come. All it takes for a journey is the first step, and Nolan has provided it for us.
