In the year 1989, while many of us were still in our early elementary days, the theaters in America were unveiling a new brand of hero – Batman. The 1989 version, starring Michael Keaton (Herbie: Fully Loaded) and Jack Nicholson (Something’s Gotta Give), was a new take on the quirky 1966 movie starring Adam West (Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story).
The 1966 movie, which these days you can pick up from WalHMart for about $5.50, was made to look and feel like the older light-hearted comic books.
As the Batman character matured, so did the mythology surrounding him. The comics darkened, and, when Michael Keaton donned the black cape in 1989 under the direction of Tim Burton, the celluloid effect was near flawless.
Burton went on to direct an almost equally impressive sequel in 1992, Batman Returns. After that, however, Burton went on to pursue other projects, and the 1995 Batman Forever and the 1997 Batman and Robin were nothing short of travesties. Eight years later, nonetheless, Batman is back yet again, and this attempt is nothing short of amazing.
With a return to the darker aspects of the story, Batman Begins traces Bruce Wayne’s journey from traumatized child through angry adolescent and, finally, illustrates how Batman came to be what we think of him as today. This film digs deeply into Bruce Wayne’s murky psyche and his shrouded past, shows the audience where Batman gets all of his gadgets, and introduces some exciting characters that audiences will remember from both the old movies as well as the comics.
Independent of the literary value of the movie, cinematically Batman Begins is a work of art. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, who also wrote and directed the 2000 enigma Memento, Batman Begins combines a variety of thriller sequences, fight scenes, social philosophy and general creepiness into two hours that you will promptly want to see again.
Sporting the mask and cape in this film is the long-time actor yet only recent celebrity Christian Bale, whom you should remember as the title character in American Pyscho as well as from the dystopian sci-fi drama Equilibrium. Bale, a personal favorite of mine, gives an exceptional performance as The Dark Knight, lending the perfect amount of intelligence, idealism and muscle definition to the character while throwing in those calculated moments of subtle insanity. Bale stated in interviews and during auditions that he wanted to explore the darker, more conflicted facets of Bruce Wayne’s character, and he does so admirably.
While the film thankfully does not have a developed love story, it does have a love interest in the form of Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes, Dawson’s Creek), assistant D.A. While Holmes does not play her part poorly per se, she does unfortunately deliver a relatively sub-par performance.
When the par is set by figures such as Liam Neeson and Michael Caine, however, I suppose anyone would be a bit intimidated. Nonetheless that does not excuse the fact that Holmes talked out of the side of her face during the entire movie, which for me sort of contaminated her presentation.
With so much stunning talent, thoughtful writing and skillful craftsmanship, there is very little not to love about Batman Begins. It will frighten, provoke, amuse and enthrall you – everything that you should rightfully expect from a film boasting Batman.
Released on DVD Oct. 18, Batman Begins lets movie buyers choose between the single disc version (which as no features what-so-ever, it’s just the movie), or the two disc deluxe edition. If you just want the movie then the single disc edition is for you.
However, there are many goodies with the deluxe edition. On disc one of the deluxe edition you get the movie (duh) and MTV’s recent attempt to spoof a summer Hollywood blockbuster; this in the form of “Tankman Begins.”
On disc two you have the option of looking at the special features through a comic book titled “Inner Demon” which was written by Batman Begins script writer David S. Goyer and penciled by Killian Plunket.
The viewer could also skip the comic and go straight to the special features option, however, there are at least three (that I know of) Easter eggs to be found throughout the comic book version itself. The special feature include: a look at the design and development of the film, the casting of Christian Bale, CGI development of the movie and the monorail chase scene, a look at different incarnation of Batman, and character profiles of all the main character in Batman Begins including main point that aren’t in the movie itself.
Still, one more feature that comes with deluxe edition is not even in the DVD. As a bonus treat, buyer of the deluxe edition will receive a 72-page comic book that has three of the four stories that influenced Batman Begins.
One story is The Man Who Falls, the other is the first part of the semi-recent Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s graphic novel The Long Halloween, and finally the third story is the first ever adventure of The Bat-Man.
Batman Begins is a movie Batman fans (comic and movie fans) have been waiting for since the focus shifted from campy Batman to the Dark Knight.
Christopher Nolan and David Goyer did a tremendous job of bringing the character, settings and themes of Batman to life. The single edition of the DVD is a spit in face. Nobody wants just a movie, at least not in this day and age.
The deluxe edition is perfect of fans of Batman and is a must buy.
The only downfall is there is no director commentary; something I, personally, was really looking forward to.
Batman Begins has ushered in a new era for the Batman movie franchise; one that, unless Joel Schumacher behind the helm, will be hard to destroy. For now, one thing is for sure, the Dark Knight has return.

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