Batman Begins DVD > Reviews > A new beginning

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Liked it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Good
Special Effects	Good
Soundtrack	Average

Advantages:	Ann interesting plot
Disadvantages:	Can be be a little slow at times

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The Batman franchise had seemed to have come to an end after the dreadful Batman and Robin (1997); however Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins has successfully managed to give the Cape Crusader a new lease of life. Batman Begins takes us back to the beginning and shows how and why the young multi millionaire Bruce Wayne becomes the superhero of Gotham City.

The film begins with Bruce Wayne having sacrificed his privileged background and living among criminals in a prison in some unknown eastern country. Whilst in prison he meets a mysterious man by the name of Henri Ducard. Ducard is impressed with the spirit shown by Bruce Wayne and offers him the chance to train and become a ninja working with the League of Shadows.

We see the training regime that Bruce Wayne undergoes as he is shown how to focus his energy and control his aggression. By the use of flashbacks from his past we see why he has found himself in his current position.

As a child he witnesses the brutal murder of both of his parents when an armed robbery goes terribly wrong. Wayne grows up blaming himself for what happened and feeling helpless as a result he wishes to avenge his parent's killings and to fight the criminal underworld in Gotham City.

After completing his training he returns to Gotham City and finds that not only has the city continued to decline but that Wayne enterprise is now under the control of other businessmen.

Bruce returns to Wayne enterprise where he requests to work in the Applied Science division, a department which has long been forgotten. With the help of his faithful Butler Alfred and Lucius Fox a former friend of his father he begins his quest to fight crime.

After flashbacks to his childhood where he had an accident which left him frightened of bats he uses this experience to create his alter ego. With Wayne enterprises having plenty of rejected prototype inventions he is able to create the weapons and vehicles that we come to know and love.

As Batman begins his quest of fighting crime he soon goes on the hunt of local mobster Carmine Falcone, however it soon becomes clear that there are more shadowy enemies within Gotham City.

Bruce Wayne also comes across his childhood friend Rachel Dawes who has become a DA within Gotham City who is investigating Dr Jonathon Crane, a man who controls Arkham sanatorium. It appears that Crane has taken an interest in protecting the criminal fraternity by ensuring that they are released from prison into his care. As Dawes finds herself in danger it is left to Batman to protect her.

One of the reasons that this film delivers is because of the strong performances from the lead characters. Christian Bale shows once again why he is one of the best young talents in Hollywood, strong performances in the machinist and American psycho show an ability to play complicated characters. As Bruce Wayne he is able to portray a complicated character and a man who is committed to achieving his goals.

Michael Caine is given the chance to add a new dimension to the role of Albert; here he is shown as an integral character in creating the superhero. Albert is a man who is determined that Bruce Wayne protects his heritage and ensure that he lives up to his ideals.

Gary Oldman plays Detective James Gordon one of the last honest cops within Gotham City; he is disillusioned with the way in which the Police force has been corrupted. With his determination to continue fighting criminals he becomes a useful ally for Batman. Oldman gives yet another good performance and forms a very believable partnership with the Caped Crusader.

Strong support from Morgan Freeman (as always!) and also a promising performance from Cillian Murphy as the chilling Dr Jonathan Crane a man who seems to have his own agenda.

If I had any criticism of any of the acting it would be with Katie Holmes, I struggle to see what she adds to the film there is no sparkle between her character and Bruce Wayne and she does not act to the plot in anyway.

Director Christopher Nolan has a proven talent for making films with strong plots and his handling of the Batman franchise has ensured that there is still life in this franchise. The film has a rather slow start, however builds up to a rather action packed ending. There are plenty of twists and turns as the film develops and we are left with an ending which suggests there will be another sequel and this is something to look forward to.

Cast

Christian Bale Bruce Wayne/Batman
Michael Caine Albert
Liam Neeson Henri Ducard
Dr Jonathan Crane Cillian Murphy
Lucius Fox Morgan Freeman
Rachel Dawes Katie Holmes
James Gordon Gary Oldman
Carmine Falcone Tom Wilkinson
Rutger Hauer Earle
Linus Roache Thomas Wayne