Review: Batman Begins (2005)
Violence: Heavy
Racism: None (Morgan Freeman’s in it)
Homophobia: None
Blasphemy: None
I suppose the reason I’ve always liked Batman is that unlike all the other superheroes, he doesn’t actually have any superpowers. He can’t fly, wasn’t bitten by a mutated spider nor changed by radiation - he’s just a regular guy with some hi-tech toys and something to prove.
A lot like Chris Martin, really. He’s a normal man, who just tries a little harder than the rest of us. By living his life more purely, he has become what he wanted - The Messiah.
Sure, Batman may be a bit of a vigilante, but nobody’s perfect. He’s headstrong with ideals, makes mistakes, and sometimes acts before he thinks. But instead of a angry, violent man with a fetish for rubber, we see a man who is battling his personal demons, and trying to do what’s right. Those who have been part of the Batman era for a long time know that Batman’s no killer - he cares about others and wants to do the right thing. Just like Chris Martin. So anyone who says he shouldn’t have hit that journalist, or scraped the other guy’s car with his keys can shut up because he’s no worse than Batman, and everyone knows Batman is cool.
This is the fifth Batman movie - but the first one to get it right. It is far and above the last 4, and probably even better than Spider Man but in a different way. I’m also glad that whacko Tim Burton isn’t allowed to make them anymore. It’s brilliantly directed by Christopher Nolan, and Christian Bale is brilliant as Bruce Wayne/Batman (oops! possible spoiler!) Katie Holmes out of Dawsons Creek is brilliant AND gorgeous as Wayne’s childhood sweetheart, even if she is a Scientologist.
Batman Begins shows the importance of compassion, especially to those that don’t deserve it. Batman’s motivation is a reminder that it is not only what you do, but why you do it. Indeed, our actions are open to misinterpretation, and erroneous conclusions being formed - like Chris and the journalist. This movie reminds us that the decent, moral position is to understand, that evil is actualy the result of being poor, and that criminals are to be understood and treated and helped, rather than justly punished and locked up like they deserve.
There was a strong message here about facing your fears, about learning to control them, and using them to your advantage, that was very poignant. Truly, I could picture Chris watching this film.
I loved this film - straight off the bat!
May 12 2008 10:43 pm | reviews