Batman Begins Review

ClashFan · 06-21-2007, 11:13 AM

Frustrated by no one staring a Batman Begins review thread, I'll give it a try.

Having been a Batman fan since a kid and loving the Adam West tongue-in-cheek TV show of the 60's, I always need my Batfix. Who wouldn't want to be Batman?

The first Michael Keaton one was pretty good, but the sequels each were successively weaker until the whole thing ground down to a pseudo-campy mess. I don't even blame George Clooney -- Batman had ceased to be a major character in the series.

However BB (Batman Begins, not Blockbuster or Best Buy) reboots the franchise in terrific fashion. To me, this is THE best Batman film, hands down. Some critics thought that the first half was slow moving, etc., but I do not. This is a cool origin story that is actually reasonably plausible (well, as much as a cartoon superhero story can be).

We actually find out WHY Batman decides to become a crime fighter, and in particular one named Batman. And, BATS actually appear in key moments in the film, including an incredibly cool sequence at Arkane Asylum mental institute in a confrontation between Batman and The Scarecrow and then the police, which transitions into the equally cool chase scene with the Tumbler (aka Batmobile) "flying on rooftops!"

The film builds well and has a nice cast of secondary characters and features Liam Neeson near the end delivering the line (with a complete straight face): "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a city to destroy."

When I first heard that Christian Bale was picked to be the lead, I was disappointed. However, he nails both parts (BW/BM) and the entire cast, yes, even Katie Holmes, is terrific.

Several villains are cool, too. I especially like Cillian Murphy as the smug and creepy Dr. Crane/The Scarecrow. He's not in the main cast of the upcoming sequel, but rumors are that he might appear briefly. I hope they bring him back, maybe in the third movie of the trilogy that director Christopher Nolan supposedly has planned.

A real nice twist was having Wayne Manor burned down so that Bruce can rebuild it, while probably sneaking some of the rebuilding costs into his Batcave!

The movie itself: 5/5.

PQ: 5/5. This one looks terrific all the way through.

AQ: 5/5. Especially with TrueHD audio, this one is nice and will reward a nice sound system!

Extras: 4/5. I like Warner's "IN-Movie Experience" that they have here (something that is still not yet possible on Blu-ray movies...hence this title has still not yet been released on BR). There are quite a few nice other extras, including the lowbrow (but funny) "Tankman Begins" spoof. I won't go 5/5 here b/c some HD DVD's, like Forbidden Planet, Enter the Dragon, and Bullitt are so loaded that they get a 5.

BTW, as you may know, the sequel titled The Dark Knight is currently filming for a Summer '08 release. They've released photos of Heath Ledger as the Joker (not a cartoonish look this time...he's gonna be a dark psycho), the new Batsuit (beefed up...more armor like), and the Batpod (a Batcycle on steroids...or maybe HGH).

macmarkus · 06-21-2007, 12:44 PM

OMG ! This was an awesome flick. As a lifelong Batman fan as well, I thought this is the way Batman should always have been portrayed...a dark knight, duh ! (I use to wonder if the people making the movies where reading the same books/comics as I was) He is avenging his parents death when he "begins"...while at the same time feeling responsible...many scars. I love the scene he holds the dude upside down and says with great anger/intensity " FEAR ME" ! gives me chills ! Then many factors help him come to grips and eventually let go of some of his bitterness and resentment. Christian Bale was awesome, and yes I was expecting mediocrity as well. Liam Nieson to me was the perfect choice for the mentor (simsay?) role of Bruce Wayne. Not to mention Michael Caine and Katie Homes, Gary Oldman, and yes a great Scarecrow by Cillian Murphy, terrific casting ! Wow, I think I'll watch this again.

Thanks for reviewing this ClashFan, this is a "classic" in my library !

pappylap · 06-21-2007, 02:38 PM

Batman Begins the best superhero flick ever produced hands down...
Great cast, great story, great atmosphere...

pappylap · 06-21-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmarkus

Christian Bale was awesome, and yes I was expecting mediocrity as well. Liam Nieson to me was the perfect choice for the mentor (simsay?) role of Bruce Wayne. Not to mention Michael Caine and Katie Homes, Gary Oldman, and yes a great Scarecrow by Cillian Murphy, terrific casting ! Wow, I think I'll watch this again.

Thanks for reviewing this ClashFan, this is a "classic" in my library !

Not to mention Morgan Freeman and Rutger Hauer

Lee Stewart · 06-21-2007, 04:11 PM

Great review!

Great movie! - I agree - the best Batman yet.

But I loved the Batmobile of Batman - more like the one in the comics that I bought as a kid.

And Jack Nickelson's "over the top" portrayal of The Joker is priceless:

"This town needs an enema!"

I have to tell a funny story about Batman.

I am waiting for a midnight showing of Heavy Metal and "under the influence" and I did not know that there was going to be a midnight showing (night before the movie officially opened) of Batman.

There are MAYBE 30 of us waiting in the line (outside the theater) on the right to see HM. There are 100's of people on the left ALL wearing a Bat logo T shirt.

They open the left door and the parade starts into the theater. The very last person on the line is wearing a T shirt that says; "Batman Sucks"

ClashFan · 06-21-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Great review!

Great movie! - I agree - the best Batman yet.

But I loved the Batmobile of Batman - more like the one in the comics that I bought as a kid.

And Jack Nickelson's "over the top" portrayal of The Joker is priceless:

"This town needs an enema!"

I have to tell a funny story about Batman.

I am waiting for a midnight showing of Heavy Metal and "under the influence" and I did not know that there was going to be a midnight showing (night before the movie officially opened) of Batman.

There are MAYBE 30 of us waiting in the line (outside the theater) on the right to see HM. There are 100's of people on the left ALL wearing a Bat logo T shirt.

They open the left door and the parade starts into the theater. The very last person on the line is wearing a T shirt that says; "Batman Sucks"

Speaking of "sucks"....

A few years ago I was watching a show about the original TV series. I think this may have been the E! True Hollywood Story on it.

At any rate, me and my brother David are big Batman fans, of course, so we're on the phone together chatting while watching the show.

Well, I think it was Burt Ward (who played Robin on the show) told an anecdote about seeing Adam West somewhere just off set, in partial Batman suit, if I recall correctly, with a lovely young lady on her knees...uh...servicing him.

I said to my brother, "Yet ANOTHER reason why I WANT TO BE BATMAN!"

HD VHS · 06-24-2007, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Batman Begins the best superhero flick ever produced hands down...
Great cast, great story, great atmosphere...

So true, Best comic book movie, Xmen 2 also rocks!

whyme182 · 06-24-2007, 09:27 AM

I think Batman movies have all gone down hill since the 1st one. All of them are good, but I thought the first one and the second one were the best. Does anyone know if batman 1 will be on HD?

HD VHS · 06-24-2007, 10:07 AM

Will check imdb and get back to u

F91 · 06-27-2007, 05:30 PM

Easily -the best comic book hero movie ever.

Scoob · 06-27-2007, 05:34 PM

This is may be my favorite HD DVD. Great movie, great PQ, great AQ (argueably the best True HD track). It is an awesome HD experience.

sopranocaponyc · 12-15-2007, 11:34 PM

One word AMAZING!!!

mdale13 · 12-16-2007, 12:22 AM

ive only seen this movie in broadcast HD, and i am super excited to buy the HD DVD version! good review, good movie, and i cant wait to see it again!

sschantz · 12-16-2007, 07:55 AM

I have not seen the HD version but I feel this is the best one yet....

I am very partial to Christian Bales, who does a fantastic job, and Gary Oldman and Morgan freeman...

They are currently filming Part 2 wit Heath Ledger as the Joker but a very "dark" vs Jack Nicholson's kind of comedic looking version

Voyeur · 12-16-2007, 08:28 AM

Wow, bringing back the old Batman Begins thread. I can't blame you...it's a virtually flawless HD-DVD! I can't wait until The Dark Knight

06-21-2007, 11:13 AM	#1
ClashFan Joe Strummer Lives! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,337	Batman Begins Review Frustrated by no one staring a Batman Begins review thread, I'll give it a try. Having been a Batman fan since a kid and loving the Adam West tongue-in-cheek TV show of the 60's, I always need my Batfix. Who wouldn't want to be Batman? The first Michael Keaton one was pretty good, but the sequels each were successively weaker until the whole thing ground down to a pseudo-campy mess. I don't even blame George Clooney -- Batman had ceased to be a major character in the series. However BB (Batman Begins, not Blockbuster or Best Buy) reboots the franchise in terrific fashion. To me, this is THE best Batman film, hands down. Some critics thought that the first half was slow moving, etc., but I do not. This is a cool origin story that is actually reasonably plausible (well, as much as a cartoon superhero story can be). We actually find out WHY Batman decides to become a crime fighter, and in particular one named Batman. And, BATS actually appear in key moments in the film, including an incredibly cool sequence at Arkane Asylum mental institute in a confrontation between Batman and The Scarecrow and then the police, which transitions into the equally cool chase scene with the Tumbler (aka Batmobile) "flying on rooftops!" The film builds well and has a nice cast of secondary characters and features Liam Neeson near the end delivering the line (with a complete straight face): "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a city to destroy." When I first heard that Christian Bale was picked to be the lead, I was disappointed. However, he nails both parts (BW/BM) and the entire cast, yes, even Katie Holmes, is terrific. Several villains are cool, too. I especially like Cillian Murphy as the smug and creepy Dr. Crane/The Scarecrow. He's not in the main cast of the upcoming sequel, but rumors are that he might appear briefly. I hope they bring him back, maybe in the third movie of the trilogy that director Christopher Nolan supposedly has planned. A real nice twist was having Wayne Manor burned down so that Bruce can rebuild it, while probably sneaking some of the rebuilding costs into his Batcave! The movie itself: 5/5. PQ: 5/5. This one looks terrific all the way through. AQ: 5/5. Especially with TrueHD audio, this one is nice and will reward a nice sound system! Extras: 4/5. I like Warner's "IN-Movie Experience" that they have here (something that is still not yet possible on Blu-ray movies...hence this title has still not yet been released on BR). There are quite a few nice other extras, including the lowbrow (but funny) "Tankman Begins" spoof. I won't go 5/5 here b/c some HD DVD's, like Forbidden Planet, Enter the Dragon, and Bullitt are so loaded that they get a 5. BTW, as you may know, the sequel titled The Dark Knight is currently filming for a Summer '08 release. They've released photos of Heath Ledger as the Joker (not a cartoonish look this time...he's gonna be a dark psycho), the new Batsuit (beefed up...more armor like), and the Batpod (a Batcycle on steroids...or maybe HGH). __________________ My gear: Samsung LN46A650 -- 46" 120 Hz Onkyo TX-SR674 receiver JBL Venue fronts, Infinity TSS-1100 center Infinity TSS-1100 surrounds and rear surrounds JBL SUB12 subwoofer Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player (firmware 2.7) (100+ HD DVDs) Sony BDP-S550 BD player (51 BDs) Xbox 360 game console Comcast Motorola 6412 HDTV cable box Logitech Harmony 550 Remote 1 wife, 2 sons (ages 15 and 8) Last edited by ClashFan; 06-21-2007 at 11:16 AM.

06-21-2007, 02:38 PM	#3
pappylap Poopmaster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Way over Yonder Age: 4 Posts: 2,872	Batman Begins the best superhero flick ever produced hands down... Great cast, great story, great atmosphere... __________________ Bar Wench...Where's my Waffle! You can checkout anytime you like but you can never leave.." 50"Pioneer KURO 111FD Pro Elite Pioneer BD320 Blu-ray player Pioneer VSX-919AH A/V Receiver 32" & 37" Olevia LCDs Sony DHG HDD 500 gig DVR Samsung DTBH260 Digital Tuner One Roll of Charmin Quilted Plus in each Bathroom...

06-21-2007, 04:11 PM	#5
Lee Stewart Behold - the future! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 58 Posts: 25,188	Great review! Great movie! - I agree - the best Batman yet. But I loved the Batmobile of Batman - more like the one in the comics that I bought as a kid. And Jack Nickelson's "over the top" portrayal of The Joker is priceless: "This town needs an enema!" I have to tell a funny story about Batman. I am waiting for a midnight showing of Heavy Metal and "under the influence" and I did not know that there was going to be a midnight showing (night before the movie officially opened) of Batman. There are MAYBE 30 of us waiting in the line (outside the theater) on the right to see HM. There are 100's of people on the left ALL wearing a Bat logo T shirt. They open the left door and the parade starts into the theater. The very last person on the line is wearing a T shirt that says; "Batman Sucks" Last edited by Lee Stewart; 06-21-2007 at 04:19 PM.

06-27-2007, 05:34 PM	#11
Scoob High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 331	This flick rocks This is may be my favorite HD DVD. Great movie, great PQ, great AQ (argueably the best True HD track). It is an awesome HD experience. __________________ Panasonic 50PZ80U 1080p Plasma Vizio 37 inch 720p LCD 20 GB PS3 Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player Philips BDP 7200 Blu-ray Player Onkyo TX-SR605 Audio reciever Canon Vixia HF100 HD camcorder

12-16-2007, 12:22 AM	#13
mdale13 My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7	ive only seen this movie in broadcast HD, and i am super excited to buy the HD DVD version! good review, good movie, and i cant wait to see it again! __________________ In my dorm room: Toshiba Regza 32" Xbox 360 Pro-5 Games PS3 40BG-2 Games Logitech z-5500 Surround Sound Toshiba A-3 HD DVD 5 HD DVD's 3 BD's

06-21-2007, 12:44 PM	#2
macmarkus High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,146	OMG ! This was an awesome flick. As a lifelong Batman fan as well, I thought this is the way Batman should always have been portrayed...a dark knight, duh ! (I use to wonder if the people making the movies where reading the same books/comics as I was) He is avenging his parents death when he "begins"...while at the same time feeling responsible...many scars. I love the scene he holds the dude upside down and says with great anger/intensity " FEAR ME" ! gives me chills ! Then many factors help him come to grips and eventually let go of some of his bitterness and resentment. Christian Bale was awesome, and yes I was expecting mediocrity as well. Liam Nieson to me was the perfect choice for the mentor (simsay?) role of Bruce Wayne. Not to mention Michael Caine and Katie Homes, Gary Oldman, and yes a great Scarecrow by Cillian Murphy, terrific casting ! Wow, I think I'll watch this again. Thanks for reviewing this ClashFan, this is a "classic" in my library !

06-24-2007, 09:27 AM	#8
whyme182 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 46	I think Batman movies have all gone down hill since the 1st one. All of them are good, but I thought the first one and the second one were the best. Does anyone know if batman 1 will be on HD?

06-24-2007, 10:07 AM	#9
HD VHS High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 987	Will check imdb and get back to u

06-27-2007, 05:30 PM	#10
F91 Plasmatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 2,784	Easily -the best comic book hero movie ever.

12-15-2007, 11:34 PM	#12
sopranocaponyc High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NYC Age: 33 Posts: 821	One word AMAZING!!!

12-16-2007, 07:55 AM	#14
sschantz Make It a Great Day!!! Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 245	I have not seen the HD version but I feel this is the best one yet.... I am very partial to Christian Bales, who does a fantastic job, and Gary Oldman and Morgan freeman... They are currently filming Part 2 wit Heath Ledger as the Joker but a very "dark" vs Jack Nicholson's kind of comedic looking version __________________ Make it a Great Day, Shawn TV Sony Grand Wega kdf-50e2000 Receiver - Yamaha HTR 5650 6.1 DVD Player - Yamaha DVC 6660 Sony BDP-350 Blu Ray Sub - Yamaha YST SW015 Speakers - Yamaha Matched Dynex 32 inch in Bedroom Movies - Transformers, Ironman, WallE, Kung Fu Panda, Dark Knight, Wanted, Twilight and Resident Evil Apocalypse, Batman Begins and Fifth Element

12-16-2007, 08:28 AM	#15
Voyeur Still love my HD-DVD! Join Date: Nov 2006 Age: 38 Posts: 286	Wow, bringing back the old Batman Begins thread. I can't blame you...it's a virtually flawless HD-DVD! I can't wait until The Dark Knight __________________ Panasonic TH-42PX80U Harman/Kardon AVR-146 Onkyo SKS-HT500 Panasonic DMP-BD30 Toshiba HD-A2 Sony DVP-NS55P JVC HR-S3900U URC-8910B02 The HD Cable Box Bright House gave me!

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