BATMAN BEGINS

The "Winged-One" is back but director Christopher Nolan gives the Batman movie a bit of a makeover. The crazy flamboyant comic book characters are replaced by more realistic characters and this movie is a lot more brooding that its predecessors. While it might not follow the same formula as before it does stay faithful to the story and as the name suggests the story starts when Bruce Wayne, later to become Batman, is a child. Starting at the beginning it tells of how Bruce's parents were murdered and how for years Bruce blamed himself and was riddled with guilt and thoughts of revenge. The angry young man turns his back on his family's fortune and travels to Far East where, after being imprisoned, he meets the mysterious Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson). Ducard introduces him to The League of Shadows a highly trained Ninja group. Bruce is trained in the ways of the Ninja but before his initiation he realises that he doesn't agree with all the ideas of The League. With his new skills, discipline and self-understanding he returns to his home city of Gotham vowing to help rid the streets of crime and corruption.

The start of the movie takes time to develop the characters and the story. An insight into the young Bruce Wayne is given which explains why he is a flawed hero who battles his own fears and his desires for revenge. If he lets his fears and his desire for revenge takeover then he will sink to the level of the criminals and justice will not be served. It's great to see some interesting ideas and thoughts incorporated into what is essentially an action adventure with a hero that dresses as a bat! Like Spiderman, in the recent movies, Batman must think about his actions and decide what type of a person he wants to be.

In the movie, Batman's "powers" are provided by electronic military equipment and gadgets. The director cleverly continues this plausibility by using stunts and camera work for the action scenes rather than computer generated effects. This adds to the realism of the story and doesn't detract from the story and characters developed at the start of the movie. The action is very well done and doesn't take over.

I did feel that there could have been a little more humour in the movie. In this regard I couldn't help comparing it to Spiderman which didn't take itself as seriously but perhaps this would have dispelled the dark brooding atmosphere created.

There is no shortage of talent amongst this cast. Christian Bale makes a good Batman and there is excellent support with Michael Caine in the role of Alfred the butler who looks after Bruce when his parents die. Alfred becomes a friend and confidant.

Liam Neeson plays Henri Ducard who wants to destroy Gotham city with the help of evil psychiatrist Jonathan Crane played by Cillian Murphy.

Katie Holmes plays Rachel the girl that Bruce leaves behind when he travels to the Far East. They meet again when he returns and Batman has the inevitable dilemma of hiding his identity from her.

The presence of the very talented Morgan Freeman adds a lot of credibility to the movie.

Bottom Line: It doesn't rely solely on action and special effects, but instead takes time to develop characters and story. By incorporating themes of revenge, fear, and justice it is more than a superhero action adventure. Could have included more humour and at times was a little stiff.

If you enjoy Batman Begins you might also enjoy Spiderman (recommended),  Spiderman 2 (recommended),  Catwoman, or  Daredevil

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS: CHRISTOPHER NOLAN: Insomnia.  LIAM NEESON: Gangs Of New York,  Love Actually,  Kingdom Of Heaven.  CILLIAN MURPHY: Girl With A Pearl Earring,  Intermission.  KATIE HOLMES: Phone Booth.  MICHAEL CAINE: Austin Powers - Goldmember,  The Cider House Rules,  Miss Congeniality.  MORGAN FREEMAN: Bruce Almighty,  High Crimes,  The Sum Of All Fears,  Million Dollar Baby.  GARY OLDMAN: Hannibal,  Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban.  TOM WILKINSON: Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind,  Girl With A Pearl Earring.  KEN WATANABE:  The Last Samurai.

Genre: Superhero Action/Adventure

Director: Christopher Nolan

Certificate: Batman Begins was rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of twelve years of age and upwards. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. Violence =  moderate. Drugs = mild. Language = mild. Sex/nudity = none.

Official Movie Website: Batman Returns

~ Main Cast ~

Christian Bale

Liam Neeson

Cillian Murphy

Katie Holmes

Michael Caine

Morgan Freeman

Gary Oldman

Tom Wilkinson

Ken Watanabe