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]Review[/b]
I had fearful reservations about this one. I loved Tim Burton's Batman (is 7 years old a good age to love such a movie?) and I also enjoyed Batman Returns. The franchise went so wrong under Joel Schumacher that I wasn't sure I wanted it resurrected. Not least because Batman was one of the few comics I read and enjoyed as a kid. I grew up watching reruns of the Adam West TV show and then getting Burton's strange vision.

After I've seen this movie, I'm pleased to tell you that I personally believe that Batman Begins is really better than Tim Burton's Batman movies. Pure and simple lies, you say? It is true that Burton was over the top, but as opposed to what we have seen in Tim Burton's Batman movies (Batman and Batman Returns), director Christopher Nolan has taken the wise decision to explore Bruce Wayne's complex mind in depth so that people can clearly understand his fear, his fascination for bats and above all, his search for vengeance, because his parents have been murdered (not by the Joker) when he was a child. Besides, Christopher Nolan's effective psychological exploration technic doesn't create any long periods and guess what, he has also brought back the dark tone that gives an impressive realism to the movie.

It is also important to know that Christopher Nolan has assembled an examplary cast. Christian Bale, as Bruce Wayne/Batman, is far better than Val Kilmer (Batman Forever) and George Clooney (Batman and Robin) and his performance will help Michael Keaton (Batman ; Batman Returns) to escape from the spectre of Batman he hasn't truly shaken off for 13 years. Cillian Murphy, as Dr Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow, is as frightening as hell, even if he does look like a nerd with his glasses. Liam Neeson, as Henri Ducard, is authoritative and imposing. Michael Caine is also an Alfred that you have never seen before because Alfred takes more place than as usual and David S. Goyer, the script writer, has given to Alfred more psychological dimensions. Gary Oldman, the actor who's portraying Lieutenant Jim Gordon, is really superb and it is always a pleasure to see him on the screen whenever he appears. Only Katie Holmes (don't you think that she has given to herself a lot of publicity because of her relation with Tom Cruise?) is a little off, because in some scenes, although she strikes the right note with her performance through the tone of her voice, she probably doesn't strike the right note with the expression of her eyes.

It is also good to see that the movie's dark tone, which is undeniably related to Batman, is back. At least, we can laugh about the stupidity of the Batman's movies made by director Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever ; Batman and Robin). Those who have read the comic books will be very surprised: Gotham City doesn't look as clean as it does look in the previous movies. Its filthiness is a good indicator of the level of corruption. Speaking about the action scenes, I'm deeply convinced that they will, without a moment of doubt, keep you pinned to your seat because of their spectacularity.

Finally, Batman Begins announces the beginning of a new franchise, because the movie is so good that it momentarily makes us forget that there have been other Batman movies that have been produced before. Great villains, great cast, great action, what else should I say? Oh sure, I should say GREAT MOVIE; it is the best comic-book movie ever made. This movie should really appeal to people who haven't read the comic book and especially for those who have.

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