Opened: June 15, 2005

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Ken Watanabe, Morgan Freeman, Gus Lewis, Emma Lockhart, Mark Boone Junior, Linus Roache, Larry Holden, Colin McFarlane, Christine Adams, Vincent Wong, Sara Stewart, Richard Brake, Gerard Murphy, Charles Edwards, Tim Booth & Jack Gleeson

Reigning in a new wave of Batman films, Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins is brilliantly directed and acted leading to renewed interest in the beloved superhero.

After the death of his parents (Linus Roache & Sara Stewart), billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) trains in ninja methods with the League of Shadows. Upon returning to Gotham City, he must fight to protect it from the League whom believe it to be beyond saving. In doing so, he creates his alter ego: Batman.

Edited together in a nonlinear narrative, the audience keeps learning more about Bruce Wayne and his rise to becoming Batman. It’s kept dark enough for Gotham’s corruption, but not too dark that the action feels unreal.

Bale fantastically plays both characters and separates them enough, while being elevated by supporting performances from many legendary actors.

Final say: A solid beginning. ★★★★☆