Batman Begins

Christian Bale does a magnificent job of portraying the Caped Crusader in the long-awaited prequel story of Batman’s auspicious origin. Although the overreaching and humorless script by director Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer hits a few embarrassing plot snags, the movie suitably articulates a promising dramatic modern vision for the Batman franchise. Morgan Freeman brings a welcome air of lightheartedness as Bruce Wayne’s personal high-tech specialist Lucius Fox, and Michael Caine is perfectly charming as Wayne’s long trusted butler Alfred. The only miscasting comes from Cillian Murphy as Batman’s inaugural evil foe Dr. Jonathan Crane (AKA "Scarecrow"). "Batman Begins" focuses on the caliginous aspects of the Dark Knight’s personality that were minted when the young Bruce Wayne fell into a bat-filled well on his wealthy father’s sprawling estate.

Rated PG-13. 140 mins. (B) (Three Stars)