Batman Begins Review

This movie is ancient but its one of my favorite films so I'm reviewing it here for the intellectual exercise.

A brilliantly conceived and emotionally nuanced morality play struggle between 4 distinct ideologies: vigilantism, organised crime, terrorizing criminals and terrorizing the public. Batman is much more than a mere vigilante, but a savior for a modern dystopia. The story is grounded in the real world complexities of law enforcement and its circumvention by corrupt criminals.

The psychological underpinnings are myriad and often profoundly subtle, like Ras blaming Bruce's father for his parents death, or Rachel waking Bruce up to the epidemic of crime that really caused his parents death, and was caused by the gang lord Falcone and his widespread corruption. Also Falcone mocking Bruce for being a spoilt, pampered yuppie who has no idea what hardship is despite his parents being killed. Ras's crusade to destroy Gotham is based on altruistic motives of purging evil. Bruce must learn to take the murderous rage of being a victim, and transmute it into energy to achieve salvation for Gotham. Ras Al Ghul is lordly and perspicacious as Bruces mentor, as he seeks to mold and empower his protege into becoming his lieutenant in the league of shadows.

Bruce learns to become powerful by studying under the ruthless Ras, but he tempers strength with his fathers adamantine ethos. In his nemesis Ras Al Ghul, Bruce sees his quest for justice taken to a ruthless extreme, a mastermind whose drive to annihilate evil pays no consideration to widescale innocent casualties. Batman must overcome his selfish hunger for vengeance, and act altruistically to take down the crime boss virtually immune to criminal prosecution that corrodes the wellbeing of society. Thus he becomes a crusader for the beleagured citizens, able to strike decisively against Falcone, Scarecrow and Ras while the police are helpless.

The direction is good, but the performances are all exemplary, from the hectoring and supportive Alfred to the idealistic and perceptive Rachael. Christian Bale is outstanding as the hero, showing flashes of the sensitive, kind man who resembles his father buried beneath the primal warrior exterior. Liam Neeson is superb as the majestic Ras Al Ghul, showing great intelligence and wisdom but perverted by his monomaniacal devotion to his ruthless credo.

Rating:10/10