Batman Begins (2005) - Perfect Start from Nolan for Batman and for Us.

"You cannot lead these men unless you are prepared to do what is necessary to defeat evil. " - Ra's al Ghul

"Outside, he was a giant. In here, only the mind can grant you power." - Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Produced By: Emma Thomas, Larry J. Franco, Charles Roven

Studio: DC Comics, Legendary Pictures, Syncopy Films, Patalex III Productions

Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures

Release Date: June 15, 2005

Running Time: 140 minutes

Country: United States

Language: English

Budget: $150 million

Box office: $372,710,015

Rating: 8.3/10 (Top 250 Best Movies on IMDB #115)

Cast

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman

Gary Oldman as Sgt. James Gordon

Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth

Liam Neeson as Ra's al Ghul

Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow

Tom Wilkinson as Carmine Falcone

Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes

Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox

Synopsis

The film explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect, and an array of high-tech tools to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.

Production

The project had been in development hell for 6 years after the financial and critical disaster of the previous Batman film. Director Joel Schumacher had desired to create a Batman: Year One adaptation after Batman Forever had been financially sucessful and had approached Warner Bros with the idea. However it was pushed aside at the time in favour of a more campy sequel and Batman & Robin was produced to commercial and financial falure. In 1998 Warner Bros then decided the right direction was to reboot the series and began developing the adaptation of the Batman: Year One comic as well also seriously considering a crossover with the planned revival of the Superman film franchise titled "Batman VS Superman". But they never considered Schumacher for the job of directing despite the reboot being his original idea and the desire to redeem himself to Batman fans. From 1998 to 2003 various directors and writers were subsiquently attached to the project including, amoungst others, Darren Aronofsky. But the film never came close to entering formal production at the time.

In January 2003, Warner Bros. Pictures then hired Memento director Christopher Nolan to direct the untitled Batman: Year One adaptation ending it's time in development hell. In March 2003, David S. Goyer was signed on to write the script for the movie. In April 2003, Christopher Nolan was attached to direct The Prestige under Warner Bros. and Disney, indicating a possible delay in developing the new Batman film. In a July 2003 interview, however, Nolan said that the Batman film was in the early stages of production. In September 2003, Warner Bros. and director Christopher Nolan announced a production start in early 2004 for a 2005 release date.

In February 2004, president of DC Comics Paul Levitz said that the company's role with the film was as an advisor would remain hands-off during production.

Awards

2005 - Hollywood Film Award: Sound of the Year (David Evans)

2005 - Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards: Best Stunts

2006 - ASCAP Award: Top Box Office Films

2006 - Saturn Award: Best Actor (Christian Bale)

2006 - Saturn Award: Best Fantasy Film

2006 - Saturn Award: Best Writing (Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer)

2006 - MTV Movie Awards: Best Hero (Christian Bale)

Review

"It's not just the birth of Batman we're seeing in this triumphant interpretation, it's also the dawning of Gotham City's age of greed." - Owen Gleiberman (Entertainment Weekly)

"Here's how any great franchise should start: with care, precision and delicately wrought atmosphere." - Desson Thomson (Washington Post)

"If you love Batman, then Batman Begins will the best Batman movie ever made. On the other hand, if you love Batman movies, Batman Begins may leave you wondering where the Joker went." - Terry Lawson (Detroit Free Press)