Batman Begins(134 minutes)
My alternative title would be: Bat to the Future

SUPER MOVIE FAN'S RECOMMENDATION: 4, MUST SEE

Who is in it?:
CHRISTIAN BALE, LIAM NEESON, KEN WATANABE, KATIE HOLMES, MORGAN FREEMAN, MICHAEL CAINE, CILLIAN MURPHY

What is it about?
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN directs this true-to-the-original comic book tale about the tragic murder of the parents of Bruce Wayne (CHRISTIAN BALE) and his journey to cope and make something good come from his great loss. The two sides of Wayne include the rich heir to the manor, with all of the fake window dressings, and his emerging alter ego, Batman. This story starts with Bruce Wayne in a Japanese prison in the 1930's as he is on a journey of self-discovery to understand the criminal mind...he is a lost soul searching for meaning after his parents' death. Flashbacks show us what happened as a boy. He is "rescued" by the leader of a band of vigilantes (LIAM NEESON), who train Bruce to be a member of the League of the Shadows. Gotham City is in really bad depressive times and Bruce decides to spend his energy and his fortune to save the city his father tried so hard to save himself.

When and Where does this movie take place?
Japan and Gotham City.

Why see it? This is a great movie, Wayne. Nolan does a great job of creating a lonely, troubled and driven Bruce Wayne. The movie is really a story of a young man in search of himself during a very bad economic time during the Depression. BALE is excellent, KATIE HOLMES as the love interest is strong. LIAM NEESON and MORGAN FREEMAN are GREAT! This movie starts at the beginning and shows us how Bruce evolves his split persona. For those that like a good story, excellent acting and enough action to last 2+ hours, you'll love this Batman. Who'd a thunk it? Oh, yes, they've set it up for a sequel.

How about the kids?
Rated "PG-13" for violence, action and intensity. NOT for little kids. Too intense.

Video Pick of the Week
Coach Carter. This is a really good story of a coach who benches his whole team for poor academic performance. SAMUEL L. JACKSON stars as Carter in this true story. A good rental.

Next week, we'll review either the new Bewitched movie with NICOLE KIDMAN or Herbie: Fully Loaded with LINDSAY LOHAN. And we are standing by next week for Spielberg's, War of the Worlds.

John Fischetti can be heard Friday's on the Wayne Perkey show on Oldies 103, WRKA and can be reached at fischettij@uncw.edu



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