Batman Begins - Song of Praise
PostedMon Jun 20, 2005 3:52 am
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.
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.
