May 24, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Batman Begins: how the Caped Crusader was born
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, May 24, Graphic News:  High up on the list of the summerÕs expected blockbusters, Batman Begins promises to lure back young and old fans of the Caped Crusader who may have been turned off by his more recent incarnations.
 
In making the latest movie about the iconic comic book hero, the motto appears to have been: if in doubt, go back to basics. This time the filmÕs focus is clearly on the storylines and the character of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), as we discover how the billionaire playboy first develops the secret identity that helps him fight evil-doers in crime-stricken Gotham City.
 
After young Bruce witnesses the murder of his parents, he travels the world in search of the means of revenge. In Asia a meeting with ninja cult leader RaÕs Al-Ghul (Ken Watanabe) prepares him for his new role as the Dark Knight. Back in America, the discovery of a secret cave beneath his mansion and the prototype armoured suit are all that he needs to begin tackling the sinister forces bent on destroying his city.
 
This time Warner Bros has taken no risks with BatmanÕs outing: after critics and the public derided Joel SchumacherÕs 1997 effort, Batman and Robin, the studio set about reclaiming one of the  most lucrative film franchises ever. Three scripts were developed almost simultaneously before Christopher NolanÕs vision was chosen, and filming began in Iceland in 2004.
 
A key feature of the new movie is that NolanÕs Batman has no superpowers. But he does have considerable wealth, a razor-sharp intellect and the help of Wayne Enterprises inventor and family ally Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), to develop an array of sophisticated weapons and high-tech deceptions with which to tackle villains such as Jonathan ŌThe ScarecrowĶ Crane (Cillian Murphy), the mysterious doctor who uses drugs to distort the minds of his victims.
 
Batman is also aided by local cop Jim Gordon -- for once Gary Oldman is not playing a villain -- in his battle to stem the tide of crime, and to undermine a plot to rob him of Wayne Enterprises. 

Director Nolan, whose films include Memento and Insomnia, has said that he aimed to stay faithful to the DC comic books that first featured the masked crusader. If he has managed this, moviegoers can hope for a darkly complex portrayal of the double identity that has held even more fascination than the stunts.
 
Batman Begins is released worldwide from June 15.
/ENDS

RELEASE DATES

Jun 15: France, Greece (limited), Switzerland (French speaking region), U.S.
Jun 16: Argentina, Australia, Egypt, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Netherlands, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland (German speaking region), Thailand, UK
Jun 17: Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Greece (general), India, Italy, Spain, Switzerland (Italian speaking region)
Jun 18: Japan
Jun 22: United Arab Emirates
Jun 23: Israel, Portugal
Jun 24: South Africa
Jun 25: Brazil, Turkey
Jul 08: Romania
Jul 13: Belgium
Jul 14: Czech Republic, Hungary
Jul 15: Finland, Norway, Sweden
Jul 22: Denmark
Aug 04: Russia, Ukraine