Batman Begins
Rated PG-13 for intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.
reviewed by Christopher Lyon
Batman’s back to bust the summer block in the darkest, best made film version so far. Quick note on theater options: Because I can’t seem to actually read my e-mail, I ended up at an IMAX advance screening instead of a normal one. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it looked and sounded awesome. And it was huge!
I haven’t always been a fan of IMAX (distorted images and way too loud). But the technology has improved, and I got a better seat this time (a little over half way up and right in the middle). I could take in the whole giant picture without turning my head; the image was crystal clear; and the sound surrounded plenty loud without causing an Excedrine moment. Not a bad way to catch a cool flick.
In the Himalayan mountains, a man named Ducard (Liam Neeson) trains Bruce to fight and think like a Ninja, to master his own fears, and to use his enemies’ fears to his advantage. As his training ends, Bruce is recruited by Ra’s al Ghul (Ken Watanabe) to join an ancient group called the League of Shadows.
Back home in his Gotham mansion, Bruce learns the city is locked in the corrupt grip of organized crime leader Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson). The few honest cops, like detective Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and his childhood friend/Assistant District Attorney Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), can’t do much to stop Falcone. Using his family fortune and his playboy image for cover, Bruce begins to transform himself into a symbol for justice that will strike fear in the hearts of criminals.
The Verdict
Darker, scarier, and less “comic booky” than previous Batman films, “Batman Begins” takes itself very seriously. Little comic relief. No hammy villains. Director Chris Nolan (“Momento”) and writer David S. Goyer (the Blade series) have really constructed a comic book action drama (with a touch of horror) in building their version of the Dark Knight from the ground up. And it works.
Their emphasis on letting us into Bruce Wayne’s fear--and his desire to use fear against his enemies--gives the character a depth most Batman films gloss over. We find out how he got so good at fighting, why he chose the bat as his symbol, and even about his failures. Nolan’s commitment to keeping everything rooted in the real world also helps. The Batmobile, the Batsuit, the gadgets all start out as existing prototypes with other applications. They come together in a way that makes more sense than usual in comic book movies.
Christian Bale seems a perfect choice for this Batman, and he’s got the acting chops to fill out the deeper character. In fact, Nolan has populated his “Batman” with great, older actors, giving the whole movie more weight. Neeson’s performance here makes his Star Wars character feel especially flat and underdeveloped.
Finally, the movie looks really cool. From the near-future architecture of Gotham to the mountain scenes shot in Iceland to the interior of the Batcave, the images are rich, detailed, and watchable. Nolan and his crew chose to shoot real stuff and scaled down models as often as possible where most films take the easy way out with computer effects. And you can feel the difference. Every scene seems more weighty and “true.”
I was less satisfied with the movie’s last act, where “Batman Begins” goes into full Hollywood theme park ride mode. It’s not that all the explosions, collisions, and chase scenes aren’t fun; they just kind of surrender the earlier tone of the movie. But it’s still Batman, after all. There are still action figures to sell.
For such a dark film, most of the PG-13 violence is limited to unbloody close combat that usually cuts away before much is seen. But it is scary, full of gruesome horror images seen through the eyes of people drugged with a fear-inducing hallucinogen. It’s probably too scary for most younger kids. However, there’s hardly any swearing and no sex.
Worldview
Some critics might complain that Goyer’s script contains too much talky psychobabble about overcoming fear and finding justice. But I dig that stuff in a comic book movie. What better kind of film is there for wrestling with life’s biggest, broadest themes?
“Batman Begins” is about fear and justice. As a kid, Bruce Wayne is terrified of bats. The death of his parents drives fear deeper into his heart. It controls him. He admits eventually that it corrupts his desire for justice into a cowardly passion for revenge.
As Batman, though, he refuses to throw out compassion even for criminals along with his fearfulness. He won’t simply become a killer of bad guys. He will leave room for a justice higher than himself to work.
One character says, “Justice is about harmony; revenge is about making yourself feel better.” For Christians, the Bible offers the same warning: Don’t seek selfish revenge; forgive; God will bring justice to everyone. (Check out Romans 12:17-13:7.)
In becoming the Batman, Bruce not only confronts his fear and conquers it. He becomes what he feared in order to create fear in his enemies. His great weakness becomes his greatest strength.
One of the most frequently repeated commands in the Bible is “don’t be afraid.” We’re told that God doesn’t make us to be timid, but to be powerful, disciplined, and loving (2 Timothy 1:7). And the Bible’s perfect antidote for fear? Not our own strength and self-control. Love. Love tosses fear out on its ear (1 John 4:18). Knowing that we’re in God’s loving hands removes the need to fear anything else.
A fearless, loving follower of Jesus can accomplish heroic things for God in this life. No cape required. (Oh, go ahead and wear one; it’ll be cool.)
Discussion Questions
• Of all the Batman movies you’ve seen, which is your favorite? Why?
• What actor made the best Batman? Who else would you like to see try out the role?
• Did you wish “Batman Begins” would be less serious? More “fun”?
• What are some of your greatest fears? Do those fears keep you from doing anything important in your life?
• What’s the best way to overcome fear?
• Is what the Bible teaches about letting go of fear different from other ways of dealing with it?
• Do you ever wish there was more justice in the world for criminals and those who hurt other people? Why do you think it’s so hard for us to see people get away with doing wrong?
Let us know what you thought of this review!
