Batman Begins

Christopher Nolan 2005

Finally we are back to Bat basics. This film charts Bruce Wayne’s journey to becoming Batman. Rather than a polished hero we see a flawed human being who’s troubled past drives him to attempt to restore justice to Gotham City.

The cast involved in this film is amazing. While the dialogue is a little cheesy at times everyone involved delivers it well. Christian Bale makes possibly the most believable and likable Batman so far and Michael Caine makes a wonderful Alfred. Liam Neeson is suitably nasty as the baddie and Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon is downtrodden but defiant, and looks scarily like Brian Murphy from “George and Mildred”. There are also excellent performances from Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Morgan Freeman and Rutger Hauer. The director Christopher Nolan has done a good job of collecting together such fine actors

At 141 minutes some could consider it a long film, but thankfully the action doesn’t flag and your attention is held. The special effects good and there are a few scary moments along the way too.

All in all this was a highly enjoyable film and finally the Batman franchise is back on track.