Movies

A darker movie about the darker side of Bruce Wayne's life as he transitions into his role as Batman. After the first two Batman movies (starring Michael Keaton) Hollywood took a two movie hiatus giving us garbage instead. What they got away from was the dark cloud that Batman wears like a, well...cape.

Batman Begins takes us back to the beginning and shows us where Bruce Wayne first became afraid. It is this fear that he then turns to anger; an anger which he desires to use to rid Gotham City of the crime now rampant.

Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego Batman have always been portrayed as well polished and expert at their crafts; Bruce as head of a business empire and Batman as hero to Gotham City. What was nice about Batman Begins was how they showed how Bruce is just learning how to do both. He has a few growing pains and trips a few times along the way, but you see how he will improve over time into the gentleman hero he becomes.

I had initial doubts about Christian Bale starring in this movie, but he proved to be a worthy Batman. When I saw Liam Neeson and learned of his part in the story I was hesitant again, but he was great. I like both Bale and Neeson. Katie Holmes plays the now grown up version of Bruce's childhood playmate. She, like most if not all other roles she has played, brings nothing to the table. Luckily there is no depth built into her character so we did not have to deal with her often.

My one real complaint with the movie was how Batman acquires the toys that allow this hero with no superhuman abilities to do the amazing things he does. I rationalize how they did it by saying that, in the interest of time, it was best.

I also liked the following things:
1) They showed Gordon as a Seargant...so you don't only see Batman's rise to power.
2) They used a bad guy that Batman had not faced in the four previous movies made.

The things I wonder after having seen it:
1) The young boy who pops up twice while scenes take place in the Narrows, is his name by any chance Dick Grayson?
2) At the end of the movie there are many things left unfinished and when Gordon hands Batman the "calling card" of this other villain you have to wonder: Are they setting up to make more new Batman movies? Or are they simply helping to catch up to where Michael Keaton began?

This movie was done well overall. I was entertained throughout. I would like to see more done in the same style, even if it means a Batman/Joker battle involving neither Jack Nicholson nor Michael Keaton (especially if we get a special appearance from Harley Quinn).

I liked Batman Begins a lot. Go see it and hope with me that they make more.

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