I’ve seen quite a few new movies of late and I’ve been meaning to write them up, so expect a few weird and wonderful reviews packing out the content in coming weeks. I’ll start with Batman Begins.
I’m a fan of Batman, I’m not sure if this stems from being exposed to too many episodes with Adam West, or that the first one came out with the very first 12 certificate when I was 12 and I got some psychological lift being able to get into it. Whatever the way, I’ll state that my favourite was the original, although Batman Forever was pretty good (mainly due to some killer bad guys), then I’d rank Batman Returns and long way in the rear, the turkey that was Batman and Robin.
So, I was pleased to hear that they were reviving the franchise, it seemed a waster to leave it wandering in the gothic wilderlands. I was pleased when Christopher Nolan was announced to direct, Mememto is a cracking film. Then they sign on Christian Bale, quality actor, physical presence, broading, just right for Batman. For some reason I didn’t see it at the cinema (I was overseas at the time), so I had to wait for the DVD. I have to say that the feedback about it was definitely lukewarm by that point, but I was eager to see it.
Well, I was glad that I waited. It wasn’t that it was bad exactly, more… just, not good. As the title suggests, it follows Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman. It’s fairly interesting, though a little odd to start, then Bruce gets back to Gotham and, as we’ve come to expect from Batman, not everything goes smoothly.
The first major letdown is the bad guy, where are they? Although, technically, we see him fairly early on, he’s not a significant, overt threat. The Scarecrow is a waste of space and, again, doesn’t appear until the second half. Batman always goes up against big, bold, ruthless villains, not people who sneak about behind the scenes, manipulating this and that. They’re looking to take control of Gotham and they don’t care who knows it.
Then there’s the whole deal with his equipment. We don’t know where Batman gets his stuff from, we don’t care, but to have a multi-million dollar R&D department sat in the basement with one guy who just happens to have all this stuff. Would any company have several $300,000 body armour suits lying about? It’s just plain stupid. Which takes me to the Batmobile. It’s a tank/bridge erector, the Batmobile is sleek, fast, dangerous and packed with gadgets, not some hefty ‘tumbler.’ And just what is with all that changing position in order to fire?
To top it all off the effects where woeful too, showing that they didn’t get time or couldn’t be bothered to spend time making them right.
Batman needs the dark, gothic feel of the original, he’s a man shrouded in shadow, plagued by a dark side he has come to terms with and uses to scare the underworld and server justice where others cannot or will not.
It was a valiant attempt to bring the franchise back to life and Bale is signed to do another (a release date of 2008 has been suggested), hopefully they can get past the character development and showing us where Batman came from and get back to do what Batman does best, fighting crime.
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There aren’t many bad Batman Begins reviews online, so it’s interesting to read one. It sounds like you prefer Tim Burton’s vision, but his style is actually totally at odds with the modern Batman comics (The Joker killed Bruce’s parents?) and pales in comparison to Begins, imo.
I suggest you read The Dark Knight Returns, The Long Halloween and Batman Year One, then reassess the movie. It’s at the very least faithful to the comic books, so all comments criticizing the movie’s mythology are somewhat redundant, as BB (more than ANY previous film) actually respected the source material and gave us a plausible, intelligent, well-crafted and brilliantly acted movie.
I partly agree with your “where is the villain?” comment, but we were actually given three villains and each one was treated with far greater reverence than in previous movies. It was also a conscious decision for BATMAN to take centre stage (as he’s usually overshadowed by the colourful villains in the 90′s movies). The sequel sets things up for The Joker to make his entrance, so perhaps you’ll be satisfied next time.
Anyway, always interesting to read someone elses opinion, but it just sounded to me that your comments were coming from the perspective of someone who loved Batman in the ’89-’97 movies and some negativity was placed on aspects of the movie that most agree were Begins’ strong points (the plausible gadgets, acting, overrall tone, post-9/11 subtext, etc.)
This from someone who thought Batman Begins was definitely in the Top 10 of movies released in 2005, and quite possibly the best comic-book adaptation after Superman.
This is what having comments open is all about. Thanks for your thoughts, Dan, unlike many comments that was a well argued, well written rebuttal.
I have noticed I seem to be in the majority, and to be fair, I have only seen it the once, but I’m standing by my thoughts (until I see it again at least).
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad keen on Batman Forever (although Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones do deliver some of the best villains in the series) and the original Batman is still my favourite.
You mention the modern comics, but are they at odds with the original comic books? I’ve read neither of them, like about 90% of the cinema audience, so it doesn’t bother me either way, but Batman, for me, has always been dark, almost gothic. So yes, Burton’s vision is closer to ideal for me.
Part of the problem was that Batman does need a strong, ever present villain. He’s well funded and better equipped than anyone else, he should be able to do away with petty thugs without even breaking a sweat and while I appreciate that, as a precursor, Begins was trying to show a Batman who didn’t have it all together, I think it would have been better to have an older, smarter villain who was always there who appreciated what Batman was trying to do, but knew he had the moves to outsmart him, right up until the end when the tables are turned.
And as for plausible gadgets, just how likely was it he’d have a weapons R&D centre in the basement manned by one person? That’s where the plot just went off on one.
Maybe I’ll like it more of subsequent viewings, and I do like Bale, and think he makes a good Batman, so I’ll certainly take an interest in any sequels (he’s due in the next installment, but not until 2008).
Regarding the joker. I hope they pick a nobody. So all we see is the Joker not a celebrity acting like the joker. So we will be sucked in to the character not the actor. Take for instant the new superman he’s some one we never heard of.
I also think it would be wise to cast someone who is tall and skiny and has more of a theater background to play the clown prince.
There are thousands of very talented nobody’s. Hollywood just needs to find one.
Yea! Your absolutely right. That would be your best bet. Check out theses guys, Lachy Hulme he definitely looks the part or this guy Paul Molnar. He did a 34 min short called “Patient J” A film on the jokers life. Best joker I ever seen played. Also I read he’s actually related to Julius Molnar, Jr., from the man who laughs!
I think these guys fall in the category of nobody’s they got my vote.