Batman Begins - Song of Praise

[Seret Sajet]

This weekend I was lucky enough to catch Batman Begins as part of my Father's day gift. It has been a very long time since I've walked out of the theater that happy. I mean I've enjoyed plenty of movies over time. I thought Episode III was great but with this new Batman film I can honestly say without doubt in my mind that this has become one of my all-time favorite movies.

Director Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia) really did right by the Character as no other director has. By this I mean Tim Burton's own set of films, the only ones of the previous series of films even considered good. While Mr. Burton is a talented director with a specific vision I never really appreciated his vision of Batman. He made him a killer, he relied heavily on his gadget-use and threw away lot of what makes Batman and the Batman characters such a likeable story.

Instead Nolan shows us the sides of characters we never really see in the films and even takes Batman to the place he should be. We get to see a REAL Jim Gordon, not the silly version the previous films had. We get to see a wise-cracking and very caring Alfred as opposed to a dry and boring Alfred from previous movies. We get less silly villains and more psychotic and motivated ones. We get a love interest that really fits into what Batman would want, someone as justice-motivated as him. On top of all the supporting actors, of which I've left out a few but goods ones, we get a real Batman. We get a fully-trained, emotional and interesting Batman. A character we can understand the feelings of. Instead of quick flashes of his past and what made him what he is we get the full treatment. Its the kind of Batman I've wanted to see on the big screen since I was a fan a long, long time ago.

Then there is the presence. The mood of the film is dark like Burton's version but not quite as silly and over the top. Gotham has some out-there structures like the HIGH above ground monorail but at the same time it still feels like a real city (namely Chicago where it was filmed). The dark alleyways and streets are realistic and therefore much more interesting a setting. On top of all that, and I mean that literally and figuratively, is how Batman presents himself. The perching, the posing and even the sudden disappearances after a conversation with Gordon were classic and perfect. Instead of just standing there looking like a dope in his plastic nipple suit you get partials and silhouettes that is just enough for us to say wow.

There is lot more I can say about this film but I figured I'd hit the key points and leave the rest up to discussion. Overall I just wanted to write this review to show just how excited about this film I am. Like I said earlier, this is now one of my top favorite films and I'm sure it will be for a long time. Just as Raimi gave us a great Spiderman, Nolan gave Batman fans like me the big screen version we've always wanted. I hope you all get the chance to see it.

[Keer]

That's it! I'm going to tomorrow. Work kept me away from it so far, but no more. And positive or negative you write one good review there, Batfan.

[Sai'nu]

All I can say is... I watched it when my cable went out and it made the franchise gleam again. Even made me want to pick up an old Batman comic again.

Keaton will always be 'the' Batman to me. Something about that introduction... the slight pause... how serious Keaton was in that moment when you knew this guy played Mr. Mom just did it for me. However, Bale is right beside him in my mind.

This one begs for a sequel as well.

[Krusshyk]

Ummm, I think I read in Entertainment Weekly (while my stupid tire was getting a patch job from a nail) that Bale signed on for a 3 picture deal with Warner Brothers for the Batman series. So I think we can totally look for some sequel love.

[Kyanus]

Well, I guess I know what movie my wife and I are seeing tonight, heh heh. She's enough of a geek to want to see it anyways.

[Zannon]

I saw it last week, and I have to say that it blew me away by how good it was. The truely great part of the movie was how well every member of the cast seemed to click.

[Jabe Adaks]

Damn... guess I will have to go see this one. After the past few movies I had seen I thought hollywood forgot how to make 'em.

Jabe

[X'an Shin]

I saw it last week, and I have to say that it blew me away by how good it was. The truely great part of the movie was how well every member of the cast seemed to click.

You went without me! You bastard! What's this hussy's name that you saw it with? Why is there lipstick on your collar? Whose perfume is that I smell on you?!?

[Jerrel]

I fully agree with Seret here. This movie was perfict. They took the aproach that my favorit Batman writer would have gone and wrote about the man and not the costume.

[Safia]

Now I know why people feared Batman.

[Kyanus]

My wife and I saw it Monday, and I was totally impressed. Especially after the last two debacles they claimed were Batman, it was so good to see Batman as he should be.

[Dwilah]

I saw it tonight, and I really liked it.


.......except for that last stuff from Rachel at the end. I mean really. He's a billionaire ninja dark night. I dunno what her standards can be if that's not good enough.

[Skorixor]

man this movie KICKS ASS!!!

This IS the Batman movie I have been waiting for!!

I so wish I could have been in chicago when they filmed the Tumbler scenes...that thing is bad mofo...

[Skorixor]

I have GOT to get me one of THESE!