Behold the man

Review by Vives Anunciacion
Inquirer Libre June 13 2005

Batman Begins
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Written by David S. Goyer, based on the characters by Bob Kane
Starring Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine
PG13/ 141miniutes
Warner Brothers/ DC Comics

Amazingly, Batman Begins is the least comical of all the Batman movies. It’s also the best Batman movie yet.

Director Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia) creates a visceral adaptation of the Caped Crusader with a pronounced focus on Bruce Wayne’s human side rather than the usual effects-laden blockbuster movie so common nowadays. Exactly as the title implies, Batman Begins explores the origins and birth of the Dark Knight.

Christian Bale (Equilibrium, American Psycho, Empire of the Sun) stars as billionaire bachelor Bruce Wayne, who transforms himself into a dark symbol of hope and justice for the corrupted citizens of Gotham City. Growing up as a disturbed orphan, Bruce faults himself for the murder of his parents. He leaves the gilded trappings of Wayne manor to search the world for the means to end injustice and turn fear into a weapon against those who prey on the fearful. At his side is the loyal butler Alfred (played by the gentleman Michael Caine), who encourages his young master to find his destiny.

The movie starts in a rundown prison somewhere in Asia, where Bruce is recruited by the statuesque Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson) for the enigmatic ninja organization known as the League of Shadows, led by Ra’s Al Ghul (Ken Watanabe, of The Last Samurai). After his long training, Bruce forsakes the League and returns to Gotham intent on ridding the city of its corruption. Having a high-profile status as Gotham’s most eligible bachelor, Bruce assumes a costumed alter ego to carry out his plans. Along the way, Batman encounters friends and foes alike, eventually becoming the legend he is now known as.

Of all the superheroes of similar stature, only Batman is the natural, normal human with no super power whatsoever. It is this distinction that separates and elevates him from the rest of the Justice League, using only his guts, his intelligence and his ingenuity to combat crime.

It is this humanity that director Nolan aptly and remarkably focuses on Begins, separating this Batman from the rest of the insipid comic book franchise. Using fear and paranoia as the main themes, Nolan explores Bruce’s fragile persona and buried insecurities before Bruce can put on the mask that will transform him into Batman. With incredible cast and great writing, Batman Begins packs so much meat in its story and has more palpable drama than the rest of the Batman movies combined, half of the movie feels like it’s from an Oprah novel rather than a comic book. Of late, it is almost redundant to commend Neeson’s acting, as well those of Caine’s, Oldman’s (as the pre-Commissioner Gordon), Morgan Freeman’s (as inventor Lucius Fox) and young actor Cilian Murphy as the Scarecrow. Great casting throughout, but I still have doubts with Katie Holmes as Assistant District Attorney Rachel Dawes. Unlike the benippled Batman and Robin, Begins doesn’t have superficiality out on its rubber sleeves.

Interestingly, Begins has less gothic feel as the Tim Burton versions (which is weird considering the comic book is gothic.) But it has enough elements visually and thematically which can either tie this movie with the rest of the franchise, or separate it entirely (who cares about Alicia “Batgirl” Silverstone?)

Better it was started over again; this is one Batman any city truly deserves. To the bat cave!