Batman Begins

Entertainment Weekly, in one of their latest issues, proclaimed the return of the sequels. And while I think they really never went away, this summer has manifested Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and the rebooting of Batman. With X Men 3, Mission: Impossible 3, Indiana Jones 4, Spider Man 3, Shrek 3 and Harry Potter 4 all in the pipeline, maybe they’re back in a bigger way. Still, I think 2005 is turning out to be the summer of remakes, with The Longest Yard, Herbie the love bug, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bad News Bears, House of Wax, War of the Worlds, and TV remakes of Bewitched, The Dukes of Hazzard and The Honeymooners. The problem I have with this trend is they’re remaking good films. All, so far, have been unnecessary. But, as creatively bankrupt Hollywood is, this is what is now shown as entertainment.

Batman has been the jewel in Warner Bros. crown since Tim Burton’s 1989 version hit the screen. While the campy 1960's series had its charm, this new version was darker, cynical and mean. Burton’s sequel, Batman Returns, was equally as dark as his first, but he did stumble with much more interesting villains than further exploration of Batman/Bruce Wayne psychology, which has always fascinated the comic book fans. That duality was missing from surprisingly two later films, which veered into gay high camp -much more than the TV series - that almost ruined the careers of George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell. Val Kilmer’s Batman just opened the door for the actor to take on even loonier roles.

Now eight years after Batman and Robin, indie director Christopher Nolan, along with comic book fan/writer David Goyer have rebooted the franchise in the best possible way. Nolan’s attention to characterization, the look into what scares you and how to make it work to your advantage shines through. While it less cynical than Burton’s two films, the movie illustrates how easily corruptible people are. This is, of course, a movie staple. Man is basically evil, easily debased. Bribes are passed out like Halloween candy and the good guys are few and far between.

The movie recounts much of what’s already been established in the first film, Bruce Wayne’s parents are murdered when he is a child and he feels guilty for their deaths. His company, Wayne Industries is trying to help the less fortunate, only to discover a cancer is growing. But where the two films split is that Nolan shows how Bruce Wayne becomes Batman, and its that connecting of the dots that makes the film work as different take than Burton’s.

Bale is wonderfully cast as Bruce, who is on a search, a mission, to try and help the helpless and put a stop to evil. In someways, it is a silly notion. What can one guy do? That is the central premise of the movie world and of the real world. Most don’t, of course, have the unlimited resources of a Bruce Wayne.

Michael Caine takes over the role of Alfred from Michael Gough, and his performance is surprisingly gentle, dedicated and yet never submissive. Gary Oldman, always the bigger-than-life villain in other films, is meek and well played. As one of the only cops not on the take, he still makes the character believable without seeming to be goody-two shoes.

Liam Neeson, who still seems to be channeling Qui-Gon Jinn with these last two roles (the other being Kingdom of Heaven) spouts Yoda-like mentor phrases, but he still comes off well. The rest of cast, led by one of my favorite actors Morgan Freeman, shines brightly into Gothams dark corner.

My one small quibble would be how oddly the film changes streams. Even at over 140 minutes, the switch from learning about who he can be and being what Gotham needs, is a bit jarring.

Finally, despite some digital landscapes and the narrows added to skyline, my hometown of Chicago looked good, along with the standard police chase.

It’s been reported that Nolan and Goyer have hashed out a trilogy stories, but neither Nolan or Goyer have any obligations to sequels, unlike Bale who will be back at least two more times. But with the set up at the end for a possible battle with the Joker, you know Warners will sweeten the pot and let Nolan return.