A Few Words On Batman Begins

[HighWiredSith]

Some guys I work with enticed me to a high noon showing of the new Batman film today. I was reluctant but gave into peer pressure and tagged along. I have read no reviews, have seen only one very early trailer, and have pretty much avoided any and all real news on this film (which is hard to do) because, though I figured I would eventually see it, I really wasn't interested in another Batman film (haven't we had enough already?).

But man was I wrong about this one. I suspect that this film will, at least in the eyes of comic fans and film fans surpass Tim Burton's creepy and very satisfying original. To it's credit, this is the first Batman film to ***ghasp*** focus on Batman and not the high-profile cast bad guy(s). To be more accurate, the film focuses on Bruce Wayne and who knew the twisted vigalante could be so interesting. The was just an all around damn good movie and I would suggest anyone see it as soon as possible.

There are some pretty high profile actors in this film (didn't realize Liam Neeson and Rutger Hauer were cast) but rather than stealing the spotlight they create an amazing mesh of solid background and supporting characters. The special effects (and there aren't that many) are kept in check and done superbly and the guy playing Bruce Wayne (didn't he play in Equilibrium?) is by far the best Batman to date.

I would say this film rekindled my enjoyment of this character but I have never really been a huge Batman fan before (DC Comics - BAH!), but I am now. Great movie, great action, really great story and more than a pleasant surprise, the best movie I've seen this year and one that will be very hard to top.

sithout.

[Optimus Prime]

Hooray! After that raving review I am definitely going to see this. Anyway, I'm not sure whether Christian Bale (Wayne) was in Equilibrium, but he was in 'Reign of Fire' and he got his first start in the movies in Spielberg's 'Empire of the Sun'.

[Oscar]

Yes Christian Bale(Wayne) was in Equilibrium. Thanks for the "review" Sith.

I haven't really been a fan of batman comics either and there ain't/wasn't that many around here when I was growing up. One time my eye did caught on this batman comic, it was a dc-special. It was all noir, Batman & Dracula, or should I say vs. There were only two comics in the special. The style it was drawn was awesome, grim and bloody. They actually featured "catwoman" who was bitten by a werewolf. The name of the first comic was "Red Rain" and the name of the sequal was "Bloodstorm" (here at least). Anyways... anyone else read these?

[Ivan]

I had secret hopes that this movie will be good. Bale is curently one of my favorite actors. Expecialy since the great job he did in "The Machinist"(Not to mention American Psycho)

I am looking forward to seeing this one.

[merlin]

The name of the first comic was "Red Rain" and the name of the sequal was "Bloodstorm" (here at least). Anyways... anyone else read these?

Yes the artwork was by Kelley Jones who did the dark horse story Aliens earth war.

Sith: Ive seen some pictures trailers etc and I was wondering is this a movie version of the Batman animation Mask of the Phantasm? could you shed some light on that? (if you havnt seen it it doesnt matter thanks) I also noticed that Gary Oldman is in it so Im looking forward to it just on him being in it.

Christian Bale also played the guy in American Psycho think it was bates? or bateman? and he lost a horrific amount of weight to atar in The Machinist. Another I wish to see and have noticed is out in America on dvd release.

[Nexus]

I love Batman. Even though this is the first "proper" Batman story, his origin, and focuses on Batman and only Batman, I gotta say that I don't think it'll be good as the Tim Burton ones, mainly for nostalgia reasons. Even though the villains always stole the show and they weren't accurate, they were my favourite movies ever when I was younger and Batman Returns has, IMO, still got the coolest anti-heroine/villainness ever, Catwoman, one of my dream girlfriends. And if they bring the Joker back in the sequel, I doubt the actor they will choose will be as good as Jack Nicholson.

Nice to see they're using a new villain at the moment. The Scarecrow rocked in the Animated Series. Does he use his Fear Gas Spray?

[Jove]

Ah, Christian Bale, showing that UK actors really can act-the-pants-off their US counterparts while STILL playing the hard-ass action character.

Yes, he was the guy in Equilibrium, the Machinist, American Psycho (superb film, that!), Reign of Fire, and also "Empire of the Sun" (when he was a mere 12/13) and the UK Glam-Rock film "Velvet Goldmine" - with Ewan McGregor.

[Nexus]

My Thoughts

[Drone]

I read in a magazine that Christian Bale doesn't believe the role "has been satisfactorily played." Even though I think Michael Keaton will always be the best Batman, I can certainly say that Bale is an improvement over the last two actors to don the suit...

Not only does the cast look good, but there's also a new director, which means this won't be anything like the camp films of the late 90s. So I've read, anyway. I also saw a cool picture of Batman's "fiery escape from the Scarecrow." I am definitely glad they chose a better villain this time. I may even see this tonight...if there's time.

[floyd]

Ah, Christian Bale, showing that UK actors really can act-the-pants-off their US counterparts while STILL playing the hard-ass action character.

(While playing an america. )

[Drone]

Wow....now THAT'S impressive.

[floyd]

I only regret I forgot to mention WHICH America. Not sure if it should be the whole thing, regardless of portion, or maybe just South.

[Predalien]

I must say that I was very impressed with Batman Begins. Again, I'm not a big Batman fan but this new film has everything you may want from a movie.

I did notice the whole 'not knowing what was going on in action scenes' thing, but only in the first fight in the prison. The fight at the docks gave off the impression that they intended to make it mysterious; you weren't supposed to see things clearly enough. The characters being chased and attacked by Batman could tell what the hell was going on, and the audience could relate to that perfectly.

Definitely contender for best movie of the year...it's certainly a one of the best actions movies we've had in a long time.

[HighWiredSith]

Did you notice that DC now has a cool opening sequence like Marvel? In fact, I think DC's is cooler. Drat!

I wonder how hard core Bataman fans will react, especially considering the fact that this new film kind of wipes away the Burton/Schumaker series and appear to be a start-over. I enjoyed Burton's first film but imo Nicholson made that movie what it was. The lack of a really interesting bad guy is what hurt the second film. The 3rd and 4th are hardly worth mentioning. I always felt that Burton's Gotham City was campy and cartoonish, very comic bookish to be sure but unrealistic to the nth degree. The Gotham in begins was much better, realistic with just enough comic elements to make it memorable.

Bale is by far the best actor to play Batman. Michael Keaton was good but I always got the impression he was on the verge of being silly.

I hate to keep envoking LOTR but as I watch action films, especially fantasy films, I see elements of LOTR all over them. Perhaps the greatest thing Jackson did for the fantasy film was to finally say "Hey, you can make a fantasy film and take it seriously, write it, shoot it, act it, and film it like its events are real, its event are historical." Batman Begins took itself and it's character seriously. It made fantasy real and imho it's the best comic adaptation to date, dethroning my beloved Spider-Man and X-Men...for now anyway. Tough words from a die-hard Marvel-er...tough words indeed.

[Nexus]

Originally posted by HighWiredSith
I enjoyed Burton's first film but imo Nicholson made that movie what it was. The lack of a really interesting bad guy is what hurt the second film.

I disagree. I loved the Joker too, but IMO Returns has a cooler villain - Catwoman! She is the coolest, sexiest character that ever happened to Batman and it was a brilliant, irreplaceable performance. It's the reason why she's my favourite villain(ness). And you must admit it was a much better attempt than the halle Berry one (which had absolutely nothing to do with the Selina Kyle character in the first place).

Originally posted by HighWiredSith
I always felt that Burton's Gotham City was campy and cartoonish, very comic bookish to be sure but unrealistic to the nth degree.

I loved it, but then I'm a sucker for gothic, Caligari-esque architecture.