Batman Begins

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)

Batman Begins