Thursday, June 16, 2005
Batman Begins
Batman Begins, directed by indie-oriented storyteller Christopher Nolan ("Memento"), is a triumph -- a confidently original, engrossing interpretation, with a seriously thought-through (but never self-serious) aesthetic point of view that announces, from the get-go, someone who knows what he's doing is running the show, and he's modestly unafraid to do something new.I went to see Batman Begins at the 12:15pm, Wednesday afternoon showing; and I wholeheartedly endorse spending your $5-$10 to go and partake. Batman Begins is a story about Batman, and that is marvelous and engaging. With the old Batman franchise, the movies had become more about the vilians than Batman. Even in Tim Burton’s Batman, which was wildly enjoyable, the Joker stood loud, proud, and slightly overshadowed Batman.
I have to give Michael Keaton his props, he went from “Michael Keaton’s going to play Batman?” with a high pitched whine of incredulousness at the end, to “Michael Keaton is Batman”. The first two entries into the failed franchise, were very enjoyable. Keaton was a revelation, as Batman, but somewhat lacking as Bruce Wayne. A far, far better Bruce Wayne than George Clooney. But Keaton seemed more thoughtful than tormented, as Wayne.
Now Christian Bale takes the reigns, and he makes a frightening Batman. His backstory is detailed, but not too overly long. His building of his costume is fun, fantastic, and revealing enough to inspire geek interest--it all just seems so possible, if you have a couple extra million dollars here and there.
Alfred (Michael Caine) and Lucious Fox (Morgan Freeman) are scene stealers. Alfred adding humor and heart; and Lucious adding sly, intelligent whit. Both are excellent, though I wish Freeman’s role was a bit larger. One weak link is Katie Holmes. Now I like Katie, and if your looking for a moral linchpin, she’s definitely the actress to shoot for. There will always be that look in her eyes that reminds you of Joey Potter crawling through Dawson Leary’s window. She’s kind-hearted, good, and willing to stand for what’s right. But, she seemed ill fitted as a love interest to Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne. She actually stacks up well against Cillian Murphy’s, the Scarecrow, but falters in the presence of Bale and Caine.
Batman Begins is a great new beginning for the Batman series. I want to say its the best entry into the series, but feel loathe to give Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns such short shift. While, Batman Begins is great, and everything the Batman series needs to be revived—engaging, intelligent, and kickass—for me, it lacked the awe inspiring wonder that Batman produced. Keaton’s husked, “I’m Batman” still produces a tingled thrill of joy.
So two cheers. One in remembrance of Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, and their wildly creative introduction to an old hero; and another to Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale and their re-introduction to the Dark Knight--a man who would be a superhero. Hip-hip-horay!!
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