June 2005
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Batman Begins (12A)
Published 20th June 2005

If ever there was an apt title this is it. Forget Burton 's overly-gothic take on the Bat and forget Schumacher's gaudy and camp movies. Erase them from your memory. The Batman has finally arrived and truly Begun.

Sticking closely to the more classic Batman history, director Nolan and writer Goyer let his back-story unfold, inter-cutting between the past (the discovery of the cave, his fear of bats, his parents death) and his training, increasing the psychological links between events in Bruce's life and why he becomes what he becomes.

The film's big success is grounding everything in reality. Yes Batman uses extraordinary gadgets, but they are military prototypes produced by Wayne Enterprises. Gotham is no longer filled with giant statues and dripping in Gothic architecture, but an amalgamation of many real city landscapes. Because of this, something Nolan particularly nails is The Batman himself. He moves as blurs in the shadows. Henchmen are dispatched without even knowing what has hit them. We believe that he can truly do these things and share in the sense of fear he instils.

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman is particularly impressive. He convinces - and somehow actually charms - as the rich playboy and frightens as The Bat. There is such a great difference in not only his appearance, but voice and movements that it is wholly believable no-one would suspect they are one and the same.

But the entire cast do a good job. With such a star-heavy line-up it was a worry that it could remove you from this hard-earned reality. Michael Caine modernises his Alfred, whilst Gary Oldman manages to reign in his standard OTT performance and benefits. The only minor disappointment is Katie Holmes' Rachel Dawes. She just doesn't quite convince as the ballsy-DA. On a side note, fairly soon Morgan Freeman and Liam Neeson are going to have to ‘duke-it-out' over who can play the most mentor type roles!

Of course as its Batman (and a summer event movie) there needs to be more to entice the crowd. And in terms of action it definitely doesn't disappoint and certainly doesn't suffer from any shortage. From a story-heavy start the movie's pace continues to quicken as the running time increases, culminating in crunching car chases and (literally) a speeding freight train and brutal close quarters combat. Most impressive was The Batman's first appearance and criminal take-down at Gotham 's docks.

Clearly the title suggests more may be to come (and there's a nice little hint at what may be in store at the end of the film) so fingers crossed Nolan, Goyer, Bale et al are still interested enough to return. There's plenty of life left in The Bat yet.

There doesn't seem to be any let up in the continuing comic book and graphic novel movie trend. But on the evidence of the last few releases ( X-Men and Spiderman franchises for example), the recent release of Sin City , and the upcoming and promising looking Superman Returns , this is no bad thing. With quality products like these and the new Batman Begins long may it continue.

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