Who’s afraid of the big black bat? Evil. That’s the idea anyway. Batman Begins chronicles the rise of one of America’s favorites comic book heroes. Whatever you wanted to know about Batman, played by Christian Bale, you will likely find out. But the back-story is only a third of the film. The rest in played out in a run-down Gotham falling victim to poverty and crime where only a few good people believe it can be saved.

The movie has no shortage of stars. Bale is backed by Katie Holmes who plays his child-hood friend turned love interest, Michael Caine who plays beloved Alfred, Liam Neeson plays his mentor, and Morgan Freeman plays his scientist. The only performance I thought could have been better was Katie Holmes, but she did okay. Neeson was spectacular as always. Bale, who also stared in one of my all time favorites- Swing Kids, was phenomenal. I had my doubts going in about how he would do, but he exceeded all my expectations.

The entire film exceeded my expectations. Thank goodness Clooney as Batman is gone. Bale is the real Batman, the jewel set in this masterpiece. The plot was almost predictable, but still strong. There were a number of super hero clichés broken, which is nice to see.

Batman is the one super hero who people can usually relate to. He wasn’t bitten by a spider, descended from another planet, or burned by cosmic rays. He was bitten by tragedy, descended from good normal parents, and burned by the evil in the world. He’s one of us. He’s who we wish we could be. This movie brings that man to life. It emphasizes the necessary theme of good verses evil and shows us how thin the line between the two can be. And it reminds us that who we are “underneath” is known by what we do. “Faith without works is dead.” Batman Begins is easily one of the best films of 2005.

No language or sex issues, but it does have a dark edge to it that deems it inappropriate for small children. Highest recommendations for everyone else.