Stars: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Jack Palance, Jerry Hall, Billy Dee Williams, Pat Hingle, Michael Gough, Robert Wuhl, Tracey Walter

Director: Tim Burton

Summary: Director Tim Burton would revitalise the comic book adaptation with his 1989 film, BATMAN. Here our eponymous hero (played by Michael Keaton) is pitted against a devastating foe, Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson); a criminal who inadvertently becomes the notorious Joker, after falling head-first into a vat of smouldering acid. The film became a media sensation upon its original release and has stood as a benchmark for all summer event movies ever since.

Tim Burton's BATMAN, inspired by Frank Miller's graphic novel THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, is a Gothic, Wagnerian treatment of the Batman mythos that explains the origins of Batman (Michael Keaton) and his nemesis, the maniacal Joker (a ripe Jack Nicholson).
Gotham City is a sunless, ominous haven for criminals, held in the corrupt grip of crime boss Carl Grissom (the ever-magnetic Jack Palance), and terrorized by a sadistic vandal and murderer known as The Joker. But it isn't long before a dark, mysterious caped crusader, who goes by the name of BATMAN, is on their trail and trying to thwart their evil doings. In this darkly entertaining retelling of the Marvel comic classic, ace photojournalist Vicki Vale (warmly and sympathetically played by Kim Basinger) is also on the trail--she wants to find out who Batman really is. Based on the popular comic book character created by Bob Kane for DC Comics; the story and tone have nothing in common with the popular TV series of the 1960s. Imaginative special effects and imposing, Gothic architectural sets dominate this visually graphic, stylish film. Keaton gives a brooding performance as the Caped Crusader and his interestingly understated alter-ego Bruce Wane. But is it Nicholson's Joker that steals the show, with his unnerving, brilliantly maniacal portrayal, especially in the context of his twisted relationship with Grissom's gal Alicia (a lanky, disquieting Jerry Hall).

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Just when you though that the Batmanfranchise was dead and buried--certainly after the abomination that was 1997's Batman &Robin--along comes director Christopher Nolan to brilliantly bring it all back to life with the astonishingly strong Batman Begins.

Nolan, whose curriculum vitae already features Mementoand Insomnia, focuses his attention where films in the franchise haven't gone before--by examining that character of Batmanhimself. Thus, the story here is the genesis of the character, from the death of Bruce Wayne's parents, harrowing training with the mysterious League of Shadows, right through to the Dark Knight's first appearances on the street of a crime-ridden, moody Gotham City.

Nolan plays several trump cards in his take on the Batmanlegacy, and none pay off quite so handsomely as his casting. Christian Bale is an immense force in the dual role of Bruce Wayne and Batman, bringing a brooding anger and genuine unease to the Batsuit. He's backed with strong turns from Tom Wilkinson, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, and Cillian Murphy as the unstable Scarecrow.

In spite of a last twenty minutes that can't quite sustain the tone of what's gone before, Batman Beginsis a major achievement, and one of the finest superhero movies to date. Easily the best of the Dark Knight's big screen adventures, it manages to be a blockbuster film that's unpredictable, compulsive, superb to look at and well worth many repeated viewings. A staggering achievement, particularly considering the state the Batmanfranchise had got itself into.-- Simon Brew

Aspect Ratio:	Full Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Interactive Menus, Production Notes, Scene Access
Subtitles:	Arabic, English
Year:	1989
Release Date:	September 25, 1998
Runtime:	121 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	D 012000
Keywords:	Action, Batman, General, Adventure
Genre:	Action/Adventure