I tend to think you can work out if a film is going to work or not in the first 5 minutes of its running time. When I first saw Batman Begins in 2005, it was at an IMAX screening. And, in that initial run time...I wasn't sure if I was going to like Christopher Nolan's reinvention of cinema's Batman. It's a low key start and features lots of confusing, generic brawling in a Chinese prison. Perhaps the screen was too big, the action too frenetic and maybe I was sat too close.
But then...Bale's Bruce Wayne is released and Batman Begins revealed itself to be a mythic, mesmerising monster of a blockbuster. Once Bruce Wayne walks into the Tibetan Glacier accompanied by Hans Zimmer's quietly pulsing score you realise this a different beast, not only from the Burton/Schulmacher era, but from the likes of Spider-Man or Hulk.
Batman Begins has a more grounded reality than most comic book adaptations, thanks to a thriller-ish tone set by director Nolan. But it also has a mythic quality, partly from the Bruce Wayne coming-of-age journey, but partly from the subtle heightened reality the director imbues the film with. The subtlety extends to the cinematography (not day-glow, but restrained shades of green and grey) the editing and the action (which lets the stunts speak for themselves). The cast are spot on, especially Bale who, after American Psycho, was always my top choice for the role. The unnatural, amplified, deep Bale growl is perfect when he's in the Batsuit an adds to the supernatural mysticism Bruce Wayne is projecting when terrorising suspects. I'd also like to stick up for Katie Holmes as she gets a raw deal from critics about her work here. She's absolutely fines, and frankly more watchable and likable than the less attractive and hormonally moody Maggie Gyllenhal in the same role in the sequel.
As you'd expect from co-writer Nolan, the script is fantastic in it's pacing, structure and subtext. The movie explores how fear can be used to control, manipulate and destroy...as well as how to turn it into something positive. It's undoubtedly a reflection of Bush Jr-era American Politics. Although the movie has four villains (Scarecrow, Falcone, Earl and Ra's Al Ghul) they never overwhelm the story of Bruce Wayne...they simply serve to illuminate different aspects of Bruce's inner struggle.
Since the mega-hit sequel, The Dark Knight, came out in 2008 the question has been for me...which is better? Well, I intend to watch that movie shortly, so watch this space. However I am positive that Batman Begins is one of the very best movies of the decade. It may not actually be the best, but this is by far my most watched release of the naughties.
