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)
