Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine
That flapping sound you hear signals that the Batman franchise—which last flew, barely, in 1997's bloated Batman & Robin—has taken wing again. More prequel than sequel, the compelling Batman Begins is mostly backstory, revealing the whys and hows behind rich guy Bruce Wayne's transformation into a pointy-eared crime fighter. It's a savvy choice to reinvigorate a tired series. The origin story of any superhero tends to be more intriguing than yet another go-round with a hissing villain. And so it is here. It's enormously satisfying—and cool—to see Wayne (Bale) find his calling and devise Batman's costume, car and hideout. Smartly directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento), Begins flags later on when it cranks up its obligatory plot, trotting out evildoers to threaten Gotham City. Best in the cast are Bale, who nails Wayne's intensity and charm, Caine as his loyal butler, and Morgan Freeman, as a helpful inventor. Holmes, as a crusading D.A., fails to register in a pallid part. (PG-13)
ANIMATED
Voices by Jean Simmons, Christian Bale
CRITIC'S CHOICE
Entertaining though Shrek, Finding Nemo and other terrific contemporary cartoons maybe, they are so busy being hip and happening that a certain childlike magic is sometimes missing. That would be the magic of the imagination, of being transported to a world different from our own rather than one that spoofs the neurotic and chaotic way we live today. That missing sense of wonder is on display in Howl's Moving Castle, the latest animated adventure from Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away).
Based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones, this fairy tale follows Sophie (Emily Mortimer), its plucky teenage heroine, as she falls for enigmatic Howl (Bale), a dashing wizard. When a wicked witch (Lauren Bacall) transforms Sophie into an old crone, Sophie (Simmons, after the character ages) takes refuge—a war looms—in an enchanted castle. The dwelling belongs to Howl, though he fails to recognize a wizened Sophie.
The story grows more complicated (sometimes too much so) but the heart, humor and luscious, mostly hand-drawn animation remain constant. Castle should delight both children and adults, though with bombs raining down during battle scenes and Howl's tendency to morph into fierce, anthropomorphic creatures, smaller children will find parts a little scary. (PG)
ROMANTIC COMEDY
Hilary Duff, Heather Locklear
Carson Kressley, the blond diva from TV's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, hasn't got a lock on locks tossing. In making his acting debut as a sassy barkeep in this disarmingly sweet cream puff of a movie, the style guru loses out to Locklear and Duff, actresses who have made careers of throwing around their golden tresses to signal stubborn determination. Hair a-swingin', Duff plays a teenager who hopes to cheer up her single mom (Locklear) by sending her fake notes and e-mails from a secret admirer. It's a silly plot and a silly movie, but it harms no one and gives Duff, Locklear and Kressley all a chance to demonstrate how true it is that, given the right script, blondes have more fun. (PG)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Though it runs out of steam partway, this action comedy about married assassins is clever and entertaining. And stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, boasting chemistry to burn, prove easy on the eyes. (PG-13)
Heights
An ensemble piece about five New Yorkers with overlapping lives all trying to figure out the meaning of love, this film keeps suggesting that it has more on its mind than it actually does. Glenn Close, Elizabeth Banks and James Marsden star. (R)
Kings and Queen
Emmanuelle Devos portrays a woman whose whims, drive and mystique mess with men's minds. She's a modern Parisian Hedda Gabbler. It's a great performance in a big, untidy, vital drama. In French, subtitled. (Not rated)
Cinderella Man
Russell Crowe's phenomenal performance is reason enough to see a likable true life story about a washed-up boxer making a comeback. (PG-13)
Hitch ($28.95)
Movie:
Will Smith comfortably ambles through an uneven but appealing romantic comedy. He plays a dating guru in Manhattan who has trouble following his own advice after falling for a journalist (Eva Mendes). The movie is stolen by Kevin James (TV's The King of Queens), who plays a portly accountant in love with an heiress (Amber Valletta). Extras: A paltry selection of deleted scenes, including the opening credit sequence set to a musical score that was later discarded in favor of a familiar pop song. There's also a handful of making-of featurettes, including an amusing one in which James explains how he devised his character's hilariously inept dance moves. Glaring deficiency: No audio commentary by director Andy Tennant or the stars. (PG-13)
Beyond the Sea ($27.98)
Movie:
A botched all-singing, all-dancing look at the tragically short life of Bobby Darin, with Kevin Spacey—who's too old to play the crooner—serving as star, director and cowriter. Extras: Informative audio commentary by Spacey and a documentary filled with who-knew? nuggets. For example: Sea was shot entirely in Berlin, and during several outdoor summer scenes, the actual temperature was way below freezing. Notably absent: footage of the real Darin. (PG-13)
Hostage ($29.99)
Movie:
Bruce Willis, as a police chief whose family is kidnapped, finds himself in familiar territory in a routine action thriller. His oldest daughter Rumer Willis (Mom is Demi Moore) plays—big stretch—the chief's daughter. Extras: Disposable deleted scenes (though one shows Willis's cop pulling on a flask, a character shading absent from the theatrical version), an obligatory behind-the-scenes short and a moderately interesting audio commentary by director Florent Siri. (R)
Liam Neeson
From the Star Wars to Batman sagas, when young men of action seek a movie mentor, this actor often answers the call.
[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]
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- Leah Rozen.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
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