The Official Batman Begins Thread.

[Thomas Veil]

Add my 2¢ to those who say that Jack Nicholson was perfect as the Joker. Though I do agree that the Prince music was too much. (Have you listened to the lyrics of "Scandalous", which plays over the closing credits? )

My understanding is that after Batman Returns, which was rated PG-13, WB felt that the movies were too dark and this was eating in to the overall take on the film since you couldn't bring the whole family. So, WB told Burton they wanted a PG film or get out...

Yeah, that worked really well. The box office take went down for each film.

Actually, this whole thing of multiple villains bothers me. With the original "Batman" being such a success, I don't know why Burton felt that "more is better", i.e., thinking that two villains (three, if you count Max Shreck) would necessarily make "Batman Returns" a better film. I thought one of the best things about the original was the one-on-one contest between Batman and the Joker.

And then, if we're completely honest about it, even Burton dipped his toe in the "camp" waters a little bit with "Batman Returns"...for example, the Penguin and his giant props, Cobblepot being raised in the sewers.... I mean, I know superheroes require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but I found stuff like that a bit silly even for a comic book movie.

Also, "Batman Returns" seemed to be establishing that every villain in Gotham City is a psychological nutcase. I can understand why the Joker was twisted, but I would like to have seen a villain who was in it just because he's evil.

 

[Lyle]

Also, "Batman Returns" seemed to be establishing that every villain in Gotham City is a psychological nutcase. I can understand why the Joker was twisted, but I would like to have seen a villain who was in it just because he's evil.

I wonder if they're a little hamstrung by limiting themselves to villains that originally appeared in the comics, because, let's face it, most of Batman's enemies are in fact nut cases. Ra's Al Ghul (who is featured in Batman Begins) is probably about as sane as Batman's enemies get.

Contrast this with some other popular superheroes, who have a healthy mix of the criminally insane and merely evil enemies: Superman has Lex Luthor and Mr. Mxyzptlk; Spiderman, Daredevil (and others) have the Kingpin; the X-Men have people like Gyrich and Stryker; and so on. Maybe living in Gotham just has that effect on people.

 

[Thomas Veil]

I think living in Washington has that affect on people.

 

[~Shard~]

Well, if this is the official Batman Begins thread, then let me just say this movie was awesome. This has now overtaken Batman (1989) as my favorite Batman movie, and by comparison, was better than ROTS as far as "summer blockbusters" go. In fact, this is the best movie I've seen in a long time, it was fantastic. Christopher Nolan does an amazing job, and the movie has everything you could want. I'll definitely be seeing it again, and I was pleasantly surprised with how well it was done. Truly amazing!

 

[MBHockey]

I saw it yesterday, and it was very good. I'm usually not satisfied with most movies I see in the theater, but this one was great. It's also playing at the IMAX in my mall, and I think i might go back to see it there.

I never read the Batman comics, so I'm not sure how well it lines up with the comics, but from a purely theatrical standpoint, i thought it was great.

 

[~Shard~]

@sebisworld & @efoto; Iceland has less ice & snow than you know, Greenland (part of Canada) actually has more ice than Iceland. Just thought you might like to know.

Greenland is not part of Canada. (I should know!) It belongs to Denmark.

Just thought you might like to know.

 

[dubbz]

Saw this on Slashdot:

How the Batsuit Works.


As for the movie itself... It'll be on the big screen here on the 15th, next month.... Bleh. Hate to wait.

 

[brap]

Going to go see it, if only for Hatfield House.

(Jesus Christ that's tragic)

 

[Sol]

Batman Begins leaves others in the dust

I just saw Batman Begins and it lived up to the hype. Batman has been taken apart and put back together in a way that we have never seen before. The best thing about the movie? The twist in Wayne's birthday party. The Scarecrow is a good villain but he is not Batman's biggest problem.

The worst thing about it? Batman's eyes have irises like in all the previous films. Look at the comics and no-one has ever drawn Batman's eyes with irises. If Spiderman can appear on film without them then surely so can Batman.

The new Batmobile was great. Much better car chase sequence in BB than in all the other Batmans combined.

I also loved that for most of the action scenes Batman is hardly visible. The effect is one of awe at his speed and skill. This is what good film-making is about; leaving the best parts for the viewer's imagination.

 

[~Shard~]

I just saw Batman Begins and it lived up to the hype. Batman has been taken apart and put back together in a way that we have never seen before. The best thing about the movie? The twist in Wayne's birthday party. The Scarecrow is a good villain but he is not Batman's biggest problem.

The worst thing about it? Batman's eyes have irises like in all the previous films. Look at the comics and no-one has ever drawn Batman's eyes with irises. If Spiderman can appear on film without them then surely so can Batman.

The new Batmobile was great. Much better car chase sequence in BB than in all the other Batmans combined.

I also loved that for most of the action scenes Batman is hardly visible. The effect is one of awe at his speed and skill. This is what good film-making is about; leaving the best parts for the viewer's imagination.

Couldn't agree with you more! Initially I thought I wouldn't like the Batmobile, because just from the screenshots it lokoed kind of, well, silly. But after seeing it in action, I want one.

And yes, I also liked how although Scarecrow was technically the villian, Batman had greater "inner villians" to deal with, and that was more of the focus of the movie. The character development was great in it, as was the story, the action and the atmosphere - it was the complete package for me.

As I said, best Batman movie ever, and the best movie I've seen in a while. I may even go see it again this weekend.

 

[jeffy.dee-lux]

Greenland is not part of Canada. (I should know!) It belongs to Denmark.

Just thought you might like to know.

sheesh, i was getting worried, getting close to the end of the thread and nobody had corrected this blunder that most definitely should not have been made by a canadian.

I'm really looking forward to this one. I was worried at first that this was gonna bomb, but it seems like they did a good job. i really like the guy who plays scarecrow, he's from 28 days later and another movie i saw about suicidal people...

 

[devilot]

I saw it yesterday, and it was very good. I'm usually not satisfied with most movies I see in the theater, but this one was great. It's also playing at the IMAX in my mall, and I think i might go back to see it there.

I never read the Batman comics, so I'm not sure how well it lines up with the comics, but from a purely theatrical standpoint, i thought it was great.

That was almost word for word what I was going to post. I didn't think I would like the movie so much because I really dislike the actor who plays Batman. Buuuuuuuut... what are all y'all waiting for?! Go watch it!!!

 

[Lacero]

I didn't think I would like the movie so much because I really dislike the actor who plays Batman

Erm. What did he ever do to you? Bale was in several great movies, starting with Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, to The Machinist, where he lost a lot of weight, to the point of looking like he could the sequel to The Pianist.

 

[devilot]

Erm. What did he ever do to you? Bale was in several great movies, starting with Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, to The Machinist, where he lost a lot of weight, to the point of looking like he could the sequel to The Pianist.

I don't like the way he looks. I think Bruce Wayne should be VERY handsome. Hee.

 

[Sol]

Batman Begins acting & Joker casting

i really like the guy who plays scarecrow, he's from 28 days later and another movie i saw about suicidal people...

Now I recognize him. Thanks for that. He was very cold in Batman begins. All the actors did a good job on this. Michael Cane made the most out of little and added warmth to the film. Gary Oldman played it low key, almost shy and I can't wait to see how Gordon will develop in the sequels. Morgan Freeman played it low key as well and his character added something that was missing from the comics: a supplier for the Bat-gear. Katie Holmes held her own in some very good company. Liam Neeson acted this one a bit like his Star Wars character on the dark side. Christian Bale was a great choice as Batman. He was strong, confident and ultimately unstoppable.

I have no idea who will be cast in the role of the Joker but to be in such a cast of supporting actors he would have to be brilliant. Ben Stiller maybe? He is young, very funny and tense to great dramatic effect.

 

[Raid]

Wow I'm glad to hear so many have liked this movie! I'm going to see it Friday on an IMAX screen downtown. I hope this will really restore the franchise... I'm still recovering from the nipples they put on the Batsuit when it was Clooney's turn to try on the cowl. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING???

To put in my $0.02 on a couple of things people posted:
1) I think Jack was the best possible choice for the Joker... he totaly captured the Jokers personality...maybe he could have been a bit thinner (as the joker is always kind of wiry in the comics... but he still was amazing.

2) I was one of the few people who liked the Batman soundtrack... "Batdance" was not as catchy as the original '60's Batman theme, but most of the other songs fit the movie well.

3) Yes Greenland is not part of Canada, but they are welcome to visit eh!

 

[mischief]

Ultimate Joker?

Hands down. Christopher Walken. Go rent "The Prophecy" (1995). He plays a cold, dark Gabriel in a manner that would do Jack Napier justice.

That thin little smile that just says... "Ahhhh too bad, you were amusing. But now your life is over."

 

[Sol]

Ultimate Joker?

Hands down. Christopher Walken.

He was in Batman Returns, playing an industrialist. I find him scary and spooky but not very funny. I think a comedian who can act would be the best choice for The Joker. After all, he finds the funny side to murder and would do anything for a laugh.

Robin Williams worked with Christopher Nolan in Insomnia so I would say that he has a good chance of being it. He has certainly tried to act scary in the last few years. Too bad he is so old.

I would still prefer Ben Stiller. He is younger and funny but in a different, more nervous way.

 

[~Shard~]

He was in Batman Returns, playing an industrialist. I find him scary and spooky but not very funny. I think a comedian who can act would be the best choice for The Joker. After all, he finds the funny side to murder and would do anything for a laugh.

Robin Williams worked with Christopher Nolan in Insomnia so I would say that he has a good chance of being it. He has certainly tried to act scary in the last few years. Too bad he is so old.

I would still prefer Ben Stiller. He is younger and funny but in a different, more nervous way.

How about Steve Buschemi for the Joker?

Regardless of who they get, Jack Nicholson's Oscar-caliber portrayal will be hard to top.

 

[Sol]

Steve Buschemi good, Jack Nicholson not so good.

How about Steve Buschemi for the Joker?

Regardless of who they get, Jack Nicholson's Oscar-caliber portrayal will be hard to top.

Steve Buschemi is a good choice. He has the outcast persona that is at the core of the best Joker portrayals like The Killing Joke. Unfortunately he is hardly a star and the Joker is the best role on offer for a Batman film so big stars are attracted to it.

Jack Nicholson is a big star but I do not like him in the role. He has charisma and can make us laugh but anger is what he is best at and the Joker is not about that. The Joker is a delusional, making jokes about the world's horror. He sees the funny side to terror and is gleeful when bad things happen.

 

[ravenvii]

Erm. What did he ever do to you? Bale was in several great movies, starting with Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, to The Machinist, where he lost a lot of weight, to the point of looking like he could the sequel to The Pianist.

And he rocked in Equilibrium!

 

[xli_ne]

I would still prefer Ben Stiller. He is younger and funny but in a different, more nervous way.

O god, please, nolan, no. Stiller, in my mind, would not be a good joker. Walken or Buschemi maybe, but not stiller

 

[dejo]

I would still prefer Ben Stiller. He is younger and funny but in a different, more nervous way.

This is the new, serious Batman. No goofy comedians allowed!

 

[~Shard~]

O god, please, nolan, no. Stiller, in my mind, would not be a good joker. Walken or Buschemi maybe, but not stiller

I agree - maybe in a Schumacher Batman movie, but not in this new series. That's why I feel it will be hard to top Batman (1989), as Nicholson did such a good job (IMO at least) and that was the second-best Batman movie ever (next to this one!)

 

[Sol]

Ben Stiller choice explained & Robin Williams odds.

O god, please, nolan, no. Stiller, in my mind, would not be a good joker. Walken or Buschemi maybe, but not stiller

I think that the Joker is supposed to be as funny as he is cruel. Walken and Buschemi can do the cruel bit well but they are not comedians. Ben Stiller is very funny and he has no problems acting so that is why I prefer him for the role.

I still think that right now the best odds are with Robin Williams, if only for his ties to the director of Batman Begins. He may be old but he can do acting and comedy with equal effort. He is also a star.