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The Official Batman Begins Thread.

Perhaps you're right, and I apologize for hinting that batman return fans are naive and stupid.

However, there are a lot of people making remarks about this film that sound absolutely absurd. Which is why I make such sarcastic remarks towards the fact that people are calling this "real". To me it's like saying, "Wow, I just got back from watching 'From Justin to Kelly'. I loved the implimentation of film noir!". With Batman, there was nothing real about it! How many people do you know go to Asia to join a cult, learn Ninja, own a company that owns a city practically and become a crime fighting superhero? On top of that, how many Micro-wave emitters have you seen that evaporate water from pipes, but for some strange reason don't evaporate the water out of human bodies (which makes up 70% of it!)?

It's pure fantasy! And there's nothing wrong with that, just call it by the right name. Sure, it may seem "darker", and they manage to give an explanation for everything Batman (Dr Exposition...aspiring screenwriters, avoid him at all costs), but that doesn't make it more "real" than the first four Batman movies.

Also, I don't understand some individuals' absoulte hatred of interpretation. There have been several people not only here, but on other forums and in life I know, who will hate a film just because "it's not like the book/comic/previous film". I think that first of all, it's a stupid reason to say, "Batman isn't a middle aged guy a la Michael Keaton! That's not the way he is in the comics!" Why is it a bad argument? Because it's void of argument! I could ask, what is the original text? The original 30's comics? The Dark Knight series? There are a few set rules about Batman: a mortal man with a tragic past who wants to fight crime using whatever methods are at his disposal...oh and he dresses up like a bat. So once we have that, people should be allowed to make interpretations about this. This is why I absolutely adore Tim Burton's films. They're HIS creations, HIS interpretations. I will agree they are not without faults, but I feel more connected with this humourful yet altogether quiet Bruce Wayne than the Christian Bale one whose humanity and character was about as subtle as a Dutch porn shop.

I will say that although the idea, story and premise of Returns was dead on, it is nevertheless plagued with a weak script, weak antagonists and lazy direction. I expected more from Nolan, but alas, his talents lie elsewhere.

IMO...of course.
 
whooleytoo said:
I really liked the fact that none of the actors dominated the film by hamming it up, all of them were nicely understated. I was very curious how fellow Corkonian Cilian Murphy would cope in that role, I thought he might be too 'wooden' (appropriate for a scarecrow I guess!), but I thought he was quite good.
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This was another aspect of the film which I enjoyed as well. As you mentioned, I thought Murphy was excellent as well, and I liked the fact that he, and the villains in general, didn't dominate the film - instead of focusing on the external villains, we were able to focus on the "inner villains" of the characters, which really added a lot of depth to the film.

And I totally understand your point about the fight scenes, but as I stated earlier in this thread, I thought it was somewhat appropriate due to the circumstances. :cool:
 
Mavimao said:
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I appreciate your points, just so you know. Also, it was not my intent to put you on the defensive or start something, so I appreciate the fact that you responded in a civil manner and didn't attempt to pick a fight, or what have you - I have run into other MR members who would, so thank you for allowing for a mature discussion on the matter!

I hear where you're coming from on the whole "realistic" side of things, but I honestly have not heard too many people calling the film realistic - in fact, I would agree with you, and say that it isn't - but that's not the point - it's based on a comic book and it's supposed to be fantasy! I loved the movie, but one of the reasons was not because I found it to be realistic - in fact, I loved it more so because of its fantasy element if anything.

I have no issues with the "interpretation" comments you made either. In my case, I was just happy to see a vision of Batman which I can relate to better, and more fully enjoy - a dark atmosphere like the Dark Knight comic books. But one vision is surely not right or wrong. And different people relate to different visions based on their own preferences, experiences, background, etc. - totally a personal thing in my opinion.

Anyway, thanks for your reply and the resulting discussion, I appreciate it. :cool:
 
~Shard~ said:
instead of focusing on the external villains, we were able to focus on the "inner villains" of the characters, which really added a lot of depth to the film.
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My intention is not to pick a fight, first of all, but this is what I was trying to say before, and this might make it clear.

Do you really think that someone standing up, facing the camera and saying, "I fell into a well. Bats flew all around me. I was scared. My parents died. I live in anguish ever since. I will get revenge!", do you think that this is a successful building of character? I know I'm exagerating a bit, but this is what the whole film was like! Everything was shoved in our faces, everything was screaming: He has inner demons! We're making drama!

For me, this is not successful drama. Successful drama is when things are not so clear and pointed out. When we connect with the characters not because they tell us we should, but because they lure us in. Remember in 1989's Batman when him and Vicky Vail are eating at the giant table and they're at extreme lengths of the ends of the table before going into the kitchen? This, to me, is more successful in terms of character development than saying flat out, "Bruce! Do you know why we fall down? So we can get up again!"

IMO
 
Mavimao said:
For me, this is not successful drama. Successful drama is when things are not so clear and pointed out. When we connect with the characters not because they tell us we should, but because they lure us in. Remember in 1989's Batman when him and Vicky Vail are eating at the giant table and they're at extreme lengths of the ends of the table before going into the kitchen? This, to me, is more successful in terms of character development than saying flat out, "Bruce! Do you know why we fall down? So we can get up again!"
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I, too, am not a fan of when the Director assumes the audience is stupid and has to lay everything out in a painfully obvious way to make a point. However, I guess we simply disagree - although I admit it was more prevalent than it had to be, this aspect was not overdone in my opinion, at least not to an extreme which detracted from the overall movie. Sure, the subtleties of "Memento", another Nolan film and one of my all-time favorite movies, were done perfectly, making it an intelligent film too smart for Hollywood, and Batman Begins is not on this level as you stated, but I don't feel as strongly about this point as you do. Which is fair enough. :)
 
I don't know, personally I loved it and between it & Star Wars Episode 3 my faith in Hollywood Blockbusters has been renewed.

Batman Begins is by far my favorite Batman movie. It's cast, structuring and premise are just awesome and I sat along with the rest of a packed theater with my eyes glued and sharing amazed looks from time to time with my girlfriend. The fight scenes could have been more engaging, but the movie wasn't really about the moves, it was about the transformation of a character.

My favorite flick of the summer thus far. Sorry Star Wars :rolleyes:

(Note: it might have helped that I saw it at the newly opened theater in town with incredible sound system and lay-z-boy like seats.)
 
Saw it a third time. It gets better and better with each viewing. I am so definitely picking up the HD DVD copy of this movie. Compared to the original Batman, this movie is like a million times better.
 
Lacero said:
Saw it a third time. It gets better and better with each viewing. I am so definitely picking up the HD DVD copy of this movie. Compared to the original Batman, this movie is like a million times better.
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I'm looking forward to seeing it a third time myself. And yes, definitely one to own. :cool:
 
Lacero said:
Saw it a third time. It gets better and better with each viewing. I am so definitely picking up the HD DVD copy of this movie. Compared to the original Batman, this movie is like a million times better.
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I agree, a fun movie and worth a few bucks (when it comes out). I dunno though, I saw it on IMAX and, heh, I think now that I know better, I'll try to stick with made-for-IMAX instead. :p Although, I already have IMAX tickets to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at midnight! :cool:
 
devilot76 said:
I agree, a fun movie and worth a few bucks (when it comes out). I dunno though, I saw it on IMAX and, heh, I think now that I know better, I'll try to stick with made-for-IMAX instead. :p Although, I already have IMAX tickets to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at midnight! :cool:
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The only non-IMAX-made movie I ever saw at the IMAX was Matrix Reloaded - pretty cool experience....
 
I spent 2 weeks last summer in chicago actually working on this movie. I work with the aireal unit and we did all the air camera shots and we did all of the police helicopter stuff. I was the one operating the spotlight on the batmobile when it was being chased. The movie turned out SO amazing...go see it
 
Lacero said:
The DVD is coming out Oct 18. I am likes so going to buy the DVD.!1!11!1!!
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Thanks for the heads up! I'm awfully tempted to get it... but we'll see, there's still over a month until then.
 
devilot76 said:
Thanks for the heads up! I'm awfully tempted to get it... but we'll see, there's still over a month until then.
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I normally dont buy DVDs but made the purchase anyway. I love the movie. It's very good. Looking foward to the sequel with the Joker.
 
Militar said:
I normally dont buy DVDs but made the purchase anyway. I love the movie. It's very good. Looking foward to the sequel with the Joker.
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I'm in the same boat - I hardly ever buy DVDs, as there are few movies I know I would watch over and over. But in this case, I enjoyed this movie so much, I am definitely going to pick up a copy. Hmm, or perhaps I should ask for it as a Xmas gift, thereby getting it for free... ;) :cool:
 
Thanks to everybody who has replied to my thead, and who loves Batman Begins as much as I do.

So far I've seen it 4 times in the cinema and 13 times on DVD. I am too anxiously waiting for the next sequel to this amazing film.
 
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