BATMAN BEGINS

REVIEWED BY CARISSA HORTON

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Rated:

A legend is born.

A man is forced to face his fear, and in so doing learns that it can be mastered. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is running from memories of a childhood horror. But he cannot escape the past, and his only hope lies outside his Asian prison cell. Through a divine appointment, Bruce is released from his bondage and is sent on a mission of discovery. The end result leads him into the hands of a masterful teacher (Liam Neeson). But the lesson itself proves deadly, and in a surge of passion, Bruce breaks free of the corruption being instilled into his being. Yet, one lesson will remain with him. Fear must not be buried with guilt or anger. It must be confronted and therefore used.

With new vitality, Bruce returns to his home city of Gotham. He is there to stop the corruption of the hierarchy and to save the helpless from utter destruction. In his seven-year absence, nothing has changed, but indeed worsened. The city is disintegrating at the seams and no one seems to care. Bruce has already learned that it takes only man to make a difference in the world. And at this point in time, he is that man. However, he knows that he must be more. A man can be overlooked or misunderstood, but a symbol cannot. He must become more than what he is, and as he remembers his childhood fear, understanding dawns. With faithful butler, Alfred (Michael Caine), at his side, Bruce comes into his true power. Justice is more than cruelty. You must integrate mercy and compassion. The journey will not be easy, but with the encouragement of long time best friend Rachel (Katie Holmes), he's determined to persevere. It takes more than a man to survive such a lengthy ordeal. It takes a hero who thinks of others before himself. Perhaps not always emotionally stable at first, Bruce matures into the man he will become. The man we know as Batman.

Let me take care in pointing out that this movie is NOT for children. While happily seated with my father in our local cinema, I could not help but notice the two wee ones sitting directly in front of us with their daddy. They were terrified throughout the entire film and who wouldn't be? This movie is morbidly dark, and though adults will appreciate every nuance, children will not. Trust me on this; leave the kiddies home. Batman himself tends to be terrifying. A skillful fighter, he's a thrill to watch, but can be overly violent. Fistfights are the norm, but also be prepared for gunplay and some sword fighting. The violence is not overly grotesque. Rather, it raises your adrenaline level in excitement. Hideous visions do play a role. Through a hallucinogenic drug, people see horrific images. Disintegrating faces abound in nightmarish proportions and even turned my stomach. Drug abuse rears its ugly head now and again. Gotham is an oppressive city. Evil intentions lie everywhere and the aura seeps into every moment of the film. Batman Begins is not light-hearted, feel-good material like Spiderman. Profanity is limited to one usage, although threats and insults are occasionally exchanged. It is implied that Bruce, under his playboy persona, is intimately involved with women. Including two gals who have no qualms about removing their clothes (unseen) and splashing about in a hotel fountain. Eastern Mysticism is mentioned through the first 3rd of the film, but you will find that not all is as it seems.

The acting is some of the best I've seen and with this cast it's no wonder. Christian Bale and Liam Neeson feed off each other's energy and vitality. And with seconds such as Michael Caine and Rutger Hauer, this film is destined for success. Not to mention the delightfully spunky Rachel portrayed by Katie Holmes. She's a strength to Bruce throughout the film; an emotional center for him. I couldn't have picked a more lively, attractive, or talented actress than Katie to portray the lady love of our beloved Batman. We relive the wonder that is Batman and we receive a newer and greater respect for that character. We already know whom he becomes; what he is like, but we did not know the journey. Batman Begins answers every possible question you might have concerning the noble beginnings of comic book history's Bruce Wayne. Not once does the storyline lag. It is constantly alive, pulsing through your veins and changing at a moment's notice. Scenery is engaging, albeit dark, with remarkable shots and superb special effects. Batman's vehicle alone results in jaw-dropping amazement, not to mention his cloak.

This movie is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It brings the fight of good versus evil to the very forefront of the motion picture screen. Bruce starts on his journey as a man fraught with guilt and hatred. Revenge is his only thought; justice his only motivation. But during his training, Bruce's compassion is slowly awakened, and he realizes that justice must be tempered with mercy. Corruption is imminent in any society, but annihilation is never an option. When you stop viewing people as living beings but merely a corrupt system, than you have become what you most hated. Another aspect I admired was his determination to conquer fear. When you allow fear to control and manipulate, you will lose a part of yourself. Bruce buried his fear for so long, that to confront it was physically painful. Yet, he survived and emerged a stronger, better man. This movie is stocked with excellent lessons in moral character and wise judgment. The concept of right conquering wrong, and in so doing, saving the world. We all know that right cannot be bested for long by the evil One. The "bad guys" of the film are single-minded. They have one goal alone, and that is to extinguish evil wherever they find it. But only there perverted view of evil. Sometimes people cannot help their circumstances. So what we end up with is a rather fascinating glimpse into the disturbingly logical mind of a terrorist.

Four years ago, I would have held no interest in a film such as Batman Begins. My fascination began with the simplicity of Spiderman, growing to encompass the X-Men, than finally Superman, and I have now found the true hero of this grouping: Batman. Everything that occurs is plausible. There are no aliens from outer space, no mutations resulting in super humans. This is the simple fight of one man struggling to contain evil. What more could you ask for in a movie? It is a literal masterpiece. Any bizarre twists or discrepancies near the beginning are lost in the vast magnitude of the tale. Don't miss out on this one; buy your ticket today.

Other Reviewer Comments:

Charity Bishop

I have never been a fan of the Batman franchise, but this film is extraordinary. It is very deep and emotional and complex on so many levels, while maintaining the humanity that makes up Bruce Wayne. His choices are all defined through moral codes and experiences, and while he is flawed, he still strives to be the best man that he can be. Everything about the production is first rate, from the dramatic acting and fighting sequences to the deeply moving dialogue. The musical score is also breathtaking. There are scenes of violence and gruesome hallucinations, but there is no sexual content and minimal language. It comes highly recommended.

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