Batman creators get it right again

Batman Begins

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy

He's back! The troubled hero with the black, pointy ears and the cloak returns in the form of Bale, going back to his roots in Nolan's prequel to the clutch of films which have gone before.

The makers promised us a 'new look' Batman, a much darker one, one with more depth to his character. After all, this film is intended to show us how the Caped Crusader got to be the way he is and got around to righting the wrongs of Gotham City.

By and large they've got it right. There is more to this Batman than meets the eye, and Bale makes a good job of the character, supported by a sterling cast of A-Listers, including our own Neeson and Murphy.

There is, too, plenty of action to accompany the more broadly drawn characters and it can be placed near the top of the crop; in many ways, it's exactly what we have come to expect from this popular, long-running series, and then a great deal more.

Star Rating: 4/5