Trailers: http://movies.virginmedia.com/synopsis/default.asp?filmid=4056&sec=syn
How did I ever miss this movie on the big screen? How?
Caught it on HBO last week. Batman has too long a legacy of comic books, cartoons, TV shows and motion pictures, in black and white as well as colour, for me to newly introduce this super hero. For somebody like me who grew up using towels and bedsheets at home to mimic the caped crusader flying away from buildings and structures, (read chairs and tables) Batman has been fascination unlimited, Batman has been source for mystified amazement.
So, obviously, very soon I had sought out all movies made on Batman and relished them (including the TV version starring Adam West and Burt Ward - Holy unexpected comedy, Batman! **BANG** **POW**).
Till now, I was of the opinion that Michael Keaton and his Batman came closest to portraying the 'spirit' and the tradition of Batman, as created by Bob Kane. Val Kilmer was just good and George Clooney - forget it, just plain pathetic. Michael Keaton was a treat to watch and he underplayed the role of Bruce Wayne so much that you would start thinking 'Wait a minute.. Is this really Batman??!!'
With 'Batman Begins' acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, of 'Memento' fame, has accomplished something amazing. Here's a new one, which is equal to the best in class, if not better. The fundamental difference that makes this movie a 'class' is the treatment.
Batman does not 'begin' in a jiffy. It is not in a few seconds that Bruce Wayne disappears into his bat-cave and zooms out in his Bat-mobile blazing fire! No details are missed on why Batman took on the moral responsibility to save Gotham City from criminals and no details are missed on how he got over his vengeanceful selfishnesses.
Speaking of criminals, the criminals here are not clowns, they are not mutants....they are CRIMINALS, and the story establishes a genuine cause for Gotham to be really REALLY scared! It looks, finally, like they are not kidding you. It looks ......like Batman is in business.
So while you are being taken through what may seem a wee-bit too technical revelation of how Batman began, you eagerly wait to see his first appearance....and boy does he 'appear'? (Does he at all?.. Batman is infamous for his 'now he is here, now he isn't' act)
You never have a chance after that to breath. It's the most effective appearance and also an effective first appearance, if you may, of Batman I have seen. Christian Bale is right on the money - he is 'freaaaaaky'.
You should watch the 'Making of Batman Begins' to know the pains the team has taken to build this technically and visually superb action flick. It's edge of the seat RE-ITERATED.
The Bat-mobile - see it to believe it.
The Climax - only word I can say is 'PHEW'.
The fights - never before in a Batman movie. Observe the fight in his intro scene, it's actually like a comic book scene!
I think Batman movies had reduced the character to a joke. 'Batman Begins' does a terrific job of putting Batman back where he belongs. Michael Caine is marvellous as the butler who 'nevaah' stops believing in Master Bruce. Great support by Katie Holmes and Morgan Freeman.
That said, no batman movie can match the aura that Michael Keaton created with his underplayed performance. My recommendation(s) when anybody speaks of this topic: 'Batman' by Michael Keaton and 'Batman Begins' by Christian Bale.
If this movie is screened ever again in halls near to me, I swear, I'll drop whatever I am upto ....and just GO! :-)
Added in 2011: ...and then came 'The Dark Knight'!! Now eagerly awaiting 'The Dark Knight Rises'
4 comments:
Saw it three months back, and absolutely loved it!! Now am waiting for the CD of "The Prestige". If you get it, don't miss it
Hmm...checked out imdb - interesting! will look fwd..
Dunno why, reminds me of 'illusionist'?
similar storyline - abt magicians and all that..
I think Batman movies had reduced batman to a joke (thanks to age-old tradition, may I say? tsk!) Batman Begins does a terrific job of putting Batman back where he belongs. -- I agree with your remark on this point. I had a very similar view point. Although I did enjoy watching some of the other batman movies starring Cloney, Val Kilmer and the other guy, they never made me take him seriously. Nolan has made Batman so believable that all these movies pale in comparison. I would say I am glad to see batman maturing as I age because the timing cannot have been more apt. Great blog!
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