Could I review Batman Begins? Indeed I could. But would it be built upon the same pillars – no spoilers, managed expectations and a sense of perspective – that my usual reviews are? Unlikely. I do like writing about it though, so with now hitting it’s twentieth anniversary (holy getting older Batman!), it feels like a great time to once again revisit and update my retrospective.
Better writers have dissected the themes and characters of Nolan’s first Batman film. I won’t hit you over the head with the theme of fear like the films does! What I can do is share my history with the film and give some insight into my appreciation of it. Some rough maths tells me I’ve seen the film around thirty-five times, which is plenty of time to grow enamoured with most of it, and at least live with the things which irk me.
Before anything else though, check out the posters released for this film. Absolute beauties, with the fourth adorning my bedroom wall for years.
My childhood centred mainly around Keaton’s Batman and Batman Returns. Batman Forever was the first one I saw in the cinema, whilst Batman & Robin didn’t offend at the age of twelve. I knew it wasn’t great, but it was Batman! By the time I became aware of a reboot (I think the first time I heard the term), I’d started to read the comics. Beginning with a borrowed copy of Arkham Asylum, I quickly built my own collection, starting with a couple of all-time classics – Year One and The Dark Knight Returns. It was a massive learning experience, and I realised I was ready for something new from an on-screen Batman. Discovering that the director of Insomnia and Memento (thank you Film Studies A/S!) was directing was extremely exciting. But where would I share this excitement?
The discovery of the Batman-On-Film forums provided me with a spoiler-free haven in which I could enjoy discussion and news. Ensconced in an online world I gained some of my first online friends (shoutout to Jake, who I still talk to today). We pored over photos of the new Batmobile and Batsuit whilst marvelling at the cast Nolan had assembled.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s important to keep in mind that reboots weren’t a thing back in 2005. Dark and gritty wasn’t the assumed position, and we hadn’t heard of the Avengers Initiative yet. We didn’t even have Facebook and Twitter! Despite my love of Batman 1989, I knew I had space in my heart to love more than one incarnation of Batman. I knew there could be more.
Good thing too as this Batman, and just as importantly this Bruce Wayne, was and still is top notch. Violently interrogating Detective Flass but also charming secretaries into playing golf, I knew this was something special.
Crouching on rooftops, throwing batarangs and generally being really bloody intimidating, I was in awe of a legitimately scary Batman! There may be more comic accurate Batmen, but this one came with a fully realised world that made sense. A hyper-realistic urban ninja, I instantly adored everything from the thick-necked cowl to the high frequency gadget in the boots. For me this is the best Batman, of both the trilogy and on film.
Then there’s Bruce Wayne. Stocks and shares are considered a bit technical for him, whilst he goes about writing cheques and creating new pool areas. But he’s also determined, intelligent, handsome, and…well he’s jacked. And not in the more recent PED/dehydrated fashion; he looks muscular and capable. All the more impressive when Bale had emaciated himself for The Machinist and only had a few months to get into Bat-shape.
A guy who dresses up like a bat clearly has issues. But in this film those issues are explained and explored; we know why this Bruce does what he does and we understand his approach. Being able to buy into Bruce is crucial to a good Batman story, and Bale fits the bill perfectly. I called it whilst watching American Psycho and I was right!
The rest of the cast…wow. A moustachioed Gary Oldman is pitch perfect as Gordon. Michael Caine makes for both an amazing father figure and a great source of humour, whilst Freeman takes on somewhat parental duties too in charming fashion. Liam Neeson leans into his mentorship history, lending exposition an authoritative air and combative edge. Then there’s Murphy. He had the unenviable task of being the most “comic-booky” character in a film that at most could be called hyper-realistic. “Would you like to see my mask?” What a creepy dude! He is however also low-key hilarious. Fantastically faithful, funny, and frightening.
I haven’t mentioned Katie Holmes with the others as she deserves more attention. Holmes got a rough time at release, with unfair comparisons between ‘the girl from Dawson’s Creek’ and her Oscar winning cast members. She did not deserve a Golden Raspberry nomination for playing Rachel Dawes. She’s earnest and courageous; any awkwardness is down to writing and directing, not her performance, which provides the counterpoint to Bruce’s views, and ultimately plays a big role in setting him straight.
Time to talk about Gotham City as a character I’m afraid, cliched as that is. It finally felt like a real place! Gone was the gothic and neon overtones of the previous films. In its place was a real city – a cross between London and Chicago – with some impressive blending between real life and miniatures thrown in for good measure. It all ties into Nolan’s use of CGI, something we’d see a lot of in his later films. He uses it sparingly and for the right reasons. From the suit to the car to the city, none of it requires too big a jump to believe.
A more recent watch showed me something else; Begins is paced extremely well. It trusts the audience, gives them information, and moves on. The first 40 minutes expertly juggle young Bruce and angry Bruce, laying the groundwork for everything to come across the trilogy.
Most of my first viewing was a blur, except for the ending. Begins did a wonderful job of explaining why the world would need someone like Batman and how he came to be, but the attention it gave to Jim Gordon as he fought a losing battle against a tide of corruption gave it heart. At first cautious, his relationships with this “nut” gradually grows (they become two!), culminating in a final scene that I truly and deeply treasure.
The rooftop denouement sums up Gordon’s newfound optimism and Batman’s heroism whilst also hinting at a hugely exciting future. Were I asked to provide a summation of Batman I would present this scene.
The now Lieutenant Gordon makes a bold move installing a faulty light on top of the Police Station. Some trust has been established, but Gordon is well aware that whilst his new ally is powerful, the criminal element of Gotham could rise to meet the new challenge. But even a jaded cop like Gordon can’t help but smile at Batman’s response to his thanks. Every time he smiles, I smile too. Goosebumps.
Keaton is my childhood Batman, and I’ve got a lot of love for Affleck and Conroy. Pattinson’s Batman has started strongly too. But Bale and Nolan’s take on Batman will always be special, spreading out across my twenties.
I mentioned that I’m aware of the things that irk me didn’t I? The Tumbler turns the opposite way to which Bruce steers on the test drive, and what kid wants to get the condensed milk from the top shelf? The action cinematography is meant to be chaotic but often looks clumsy, whilst Batman not saving Ra’s is majorly squiffy. It’s a solid manslaughter for sure! Not completely sold on Thomas Wayne either.
Many people would say that The Dark Knight is a better film. Technically speaking I’d agree. But when it comes to emotions and general vibes Batman Begins is where it’s at for me. I love this film, and part of that is having an acceptance of where it doesn’t hit the mark too.
We don’t see the title card until the end of the film. With his dive into the night Batman had begun, and in seriously impressive fashion. I’m looking forward to another twenty years of enjoying my favourite Batman film.
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