Being based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel Batman: Year One as well as on the comic book entitled A Long Halloween, Batman Begins actually takes the time to give Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) and his alter ego a decent back-story. After his parents’ death and their murder’s trial, Bruce Wayne embarks on a journey that ultimately reveals to him the means to fight his deepest fears and his sworn enemies. Back in Gotham City, Bruce takes on a double (heck, maybe even a triple) identity with being a playboy billionaire at official occasions and a deep-voiced criminal-busting vigilante at night. With the help of Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), the head of Wayne Technologies, and butler Alfred (Michael Caine), Bruce Wayne takes on mob-boss Falcone (Tom Wilkinson) and the entire Gotham underworld. Director Christopher Nolan takes the audience on a ride bristling with over-the-top action, intense but bloodless hand-to-hand combats, terrifying villains and a spectacular car chase that leaves you wanting more.
Christopher Nolan (Memento; Insomnia) opted for a darker, rather serious and mature tone for his revival of the Batman-franchise. Nolan puts the emphasis on Bruce Wayne’s inner turmoil and fears and tells how he has to become more than just a man (namely a symbol) to shake the people out of apathy. Begins looks and feels quite realistic (gone are the days of the day-glow Schumacher era) and underlines that Batman has no superpowers but is simply a rich guy who does a lot of push-ups. Nevertheless, Batman Begins clearly remains a summer blockbuster that above all wants to entertain. With a genius score by two of Hollywood’s finest composers (Zimmer and Howard), a new batmobile that looks like a million bucks and is every boy’s wet dream and with nearly the whole cast giving fabulous performances (sorry, Katie), Batman Begins is one hell of a ride.
The Dark Knight has truly returned. Go and see the original man in black.
(3.5 out of 4 rattled cages)
[...] nd their secret is revealed to the world. The Fantastic Four are born. After the amazing Batman Begins this is already the second comic book adaptation this season. Obviously different from the lates [...]