Latest 'Batman' blockbuster ranks as best in series

Comic book author Bob Kane created the character back in 1939. Since then, Batman has seen many incarnations.

Comic books tend to change to reflect the times, and the “Batman” title is no different.

In 1985, Frank Miller introduced, via DC Comics, “The Dark Knight” series of graphic novels. Aimed at an older audience, these books are much more serious and dark.

Batman first hit the screen as a “serial” in 1943. Another followed in 1949.

The 1943 serial was so laughable that it inspired the 1960s campy (make that hammy) “Batman” TV series. With its skewed camera angles, inane dialogue and “oof,” “biff,” and “pow” graphics in every fight, kids delighted in the show. But it was far removed from Batman’s original persona.

Tim Burton, with his stylish aplomb, brought the Caped Crusader back to the big screen in 1989; a sequel followed in 1992. The franchise was then handed over to action man Joel Schumacher who did two more films.

Now comes yet another turn, “Batman Begins.” Director Christopher Nolan – who gave us “Memento,” one of the most original films of the new millennium, and “Insomnia” – brings his own disturbing vision to the tale and returns the character to his somewhat disturbed roots.

“Batman Begins” is by far the grittiest, deepest and darkest (in look and emotion) of the series and is more akin to “The Dark Knight” than “Batman” comics.

In Act 1, Nolan time-shifts the action. We see young Bruce Wayne and learn why he’s afraid of bats. We see why he has rage against criminals. Interspersed here are scenes of an older Wayne at a parole hearing for the man who killed his parents, and an even older Wayne first in a prison camp and then being trained in martial arts and the way of the ninja by the mysterious League of Shadows. His mentor is Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson). Upon “graduation” Bruce refuses to take the final step – that of executing a man – and flees.

He makes his way back to Gotham City, where he reunites with his faithful butler Alfred, played by the always-wry Michael Caine. He finds that his family’s multibillion-dollar empire has been taken over by CEO Richard Earle (Rutger Hauer) and is about to go public. Bruce still has a considerable stake in the company and, of course, he has stately Wayne manor. It’s here he will – it is assumed – take up the life of a billionaire playboy.

Wayne has other plans.

Gotham is being overrun with crime and corruption, as is the family’s company. Bruce’s childhood sweetheart Rachel (Katie Holmes) is an honest member of the district attorney’s office and is doing what she can to help clean up the city.

But Gotham needs more.

With his ninja training, and the help of Alfred and a scientist at Wayne Corp., Bruce devises an alter ego. And thus we see Batman begin, as the title suggests.

Much like the recent “Star Wars” episode, this film takes place before any of the others we’ve seen.

“Batman Begins” is the most serious, adult-oriented and best of the “Batman” franchise. The final scene makes it clear that there will be a sequel. We can only hope that they keep Nolan as director.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.