|
| Batman Begins | 
| Category: Movie
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  1245 reviews
Sales Rank: 4362
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 141 minutes
ASIN: B0014D6PCO
Theatrical Release Date: June 15, 2005
Release Date: November 7, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Awesome June 20, 2005
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
After leaving the theather, I was one happy guy. Batman was always the coolest and most interesting comic book character to me but all of the big screen adaptations all failed in my opinion. While the first two were above average, they still were not at all like the good comics. The next two were absolutely horrid and now this one is absolutely fantastic. The acting is superb with an exceptional performance by Christian Bale as Batman. He IS the best batman. Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Liam Neeson are superb as usual while Katie Holmes does a nice job. Cilian Murphy is perfect as Scarecrow and the mask he uses is great. The movie is good because it first introduces Batman and his training with Liam Neeson. The lines pronounced by Liam Neeson are fantastic and it shows Batman's great fear of bats. He thus must learn to conquor his fear and return to Gotham where he can fight crime. I loved the new Hummer like Batmobile and when Bale was Batman, it was perfect. The words pronounced, the anger, and the appearance of the awesome costume had me and probably the rest of the world in true glory. If you don't like Batman, you should still watch it as it is one of the year's best films. If you don't know anything about Batman, this movie explains his roots. If you are a true Batman fan, it will be by far one of your favorite movies. If you think that the movie is going to be for children, it's much more dark than the others. This is the Batamn that I've been waiting for and it isn't just good, it's one of the best movies that I've seen.
Christian Bale is one hot Batman... June 20, 2005
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I grew up watching all of the 'Batman' movies, yet somehow felt that it had all gone wrong after the first. Now, after seeing BATMAN BEGINS for the third time, I can confidently say that this is the best Batman film ever. I am anxiously awaiting the next film by Christopher Nolan, with the cast from this movie.
The Dark Knight Takes Flight June 20, 2005
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Batman Begins is the first truly great, instant classic film of the summer. Forget the cartoony fiascos that were Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. Christopher Nolan's sweeping tale of one man's quest to bring justice to a dying, corrupt city is deadlocked with Sin City as 2005's best movie. Odd how two motion pictures inspired by the work of Frank Miller are so far the most memorable and entertaining films to hit theaters this year.
It doesn't hurt that the main focus in Batman Begins isn't gaudy set design, extravagant costumes, or a deep rooted desire to imitate; the number one priority is story. Taking almost, if not all of, the humanizing elements of the Batman character and infusing it with an astounding balance of realism and comic book action, moviegoers the world over are in for something of a rarity, a superhero movie not dumbed down for the supposedly simple masses. That a big budget summer blockbuster not only delivers on the action front but comes equipped with such a well written script has to be something of a studio fluke. Hopefully a new trend in filmmaking has emerged, the smart action film.
Don't worry for all you folks just looking for slam-bang intensity, this Batman ain't no codpiece wearing wuss. From Bruce Wayne's martial arts training to the jaw dropping capabilities of the Batmobile, the onscreen fisticuffs and pyrotechincs are enough to necessitate a drool cup for any hardcore action junkie.
Batman Begins also delivers a sucker punch in the casting department. Christian Bale gives us the most believable and downright scary Batman to date. Michael Caine is eerily convincing as Alfred. Cillian Murphy as the Scarecrow proves his mettle and gives rise to an overall feeling of unease regarding psychiatric professionals everywhere. Liam Neeson, although seemingly typecast in the mentor role of Henri Ducard, as always makes you believe he knows what he's talking about. Morgan Freeman, well, he could recite Suess and it would be awesome; his Lucius Fox is way more believable (and a hell of a lot less annoying) than James Bond's Q. Katie Holmes as determined young District Attorney Rachel Dawes puts an exponential Grand Canyon gap between her and the teenybopper Dawson's Creek role that made her famous. Tom Wilkinson as gangster Carmine Falcone proves once again that he's one of the best actors out there (don't believe me go rent In the Bedroom). Now everyone mentioned above gives at worst an admirable turn, and this ensemble cast is a director's fantasy come true. But there's one performance that's so surprisingly, unexpectedly good, I'd say it deserves the Best Supporting Actor Oscar right now.
Gary Oldman as the up and coming Gotham City police officer Jim Gordon gives the performance of his already stellar career. In a departure from his previous psychos and deviants Oldman plays his honest cop to unerring perfection. We feel his conflict and his discomfort as he continues on the straight and narrow in a city filled with venomous curves. He's Batman's number one fan and also his number one ally. Oldman plays the workingman hero, the average Joe, the family man who keeps his head down to keep his loved ones safe; he not only nails it he redefines the archetype.
Batman Begins is the must see movie of the summer. I'm hoping word of mouth on this cinematic masterpiece will bring it well deserved box office success. Extremely rich storytelling along with phenomenal character development should keep folks coming back. I'm doubtful there will be a better movie released this year, at least one involving superheroes.
Parents please take note, almost the entire film revolves around the concept of fear and accordingly there are some frightening elements and intense images. Batman Begins definitely earns its PG-13 rating, so if your little tykes have a nightmare tendency you might want to check this out first before you bring them along.
Perfection... pure perfection. June 20, 2005
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I've always believed that the original Batman was the only one that worked. It got a little too complex with Batman Returns and some of the style started to stray with that one. The less said about the next two, the better. Batman Begins was really exciting because from the first trailer I saw I knew that this was going to be the one to turn it around. Gone are the stupid sidekicks and over-the-top music (though it's a shame the batman theme from the original isn't in there).
Begins totally revamps the Batman formula, giving it a much harder and more realistic edge. The costume of batman is incredible, a lot more thought was put into it this time. The Batmobile is no longer a weird thing with fins coming off it but a real vehicle. And cool as hell. The editing is hard and fast, wrapping you up in the story and not letting you go. Acting is well done, with top-notch performances from everyone, including Christian Bale who I think did a wonderful job bringing back some dignity to the character of Bruce Wayne who had gotten a 2-D and cardboard during the last few movies. You really believe this guy could be Batman.
Villains in this are a lot more complicated in this than the other movies, at least in my opinion, because there's not just one main super-arch-nemesis. It requires a bit more thinking but doesn't detract from the film, but enhances it. Oh, thankyou Christopher Nolan! Don't you ever let Warner Bros get that Schumacher guy anywhere near Batman again!
They've got a winner on their hands here, and if they let Nolan do another it'll mean big things for the Batman franchise. I can't wait for the DVD and for the inevitable sequel. Keep it coming.
 The IMAX eexperience! June 20, 2005
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
First off, I'll tell you that I saw "Batman Begins" on an IMAX screen in NYC, my hometown. I mention this because maybe the film would get a different reaction had I saw it on a "regular" movie screen, although I doubt it. I believe I'd love this film even on a crappy 13" B&W TV with mono sound. Nevertheless, the fact that I "experienced" it in what I suppose are State of the Art conditions certainly didn't hurt. I won't spend much time with plot recaps, since I figure that unless you've been living in the Batcave for a while, you know well enough what it is we're discussing.
Since the last Bat-movie, "Batman & Robin," which I believe qualifies as the worst movie ever made, I actually hoped never to hear from Gotham City's favorite facsist vigilante ever again, but then I read that the director would be Christopher Nolan, whose "Memento" was an astounding mindbender of a noir, I allowed myself to hope. My hope is confirmed big-time by this film, which burns the previous franchise to the ground and gets us back to basics, telling the story of just how poor little orphaned billionaire Bruce Wayne got in the habit of dressing like a nocturnal flying rodent and fighting crime in the first place, concentrating on his training. Somewhere in mountainous Asia (Nepal, maybe?) he joins a mysterious group called the League of Shadows, led by the really mysterious Ra'as Al Ghul, played by Ken Watanabe. He trains as a ninja with Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson) then splits when he finds out he must commit a murder to officially enter (I guess a simple fee wouldn't do). Back in Gotham, Bruce comes up with a really kick-butt fashion statement...and you can guess the rest.
Nolan's vision for the veteran comic book crusader would work even if you had never before heard of "Batman" or known any of the accumulated mythologies. This is a dark, gritty tale of a PERSON who becomes a crime fighter and not the other way around. We get a real idea of who this Bruce Wayne is, and that's where our sympathies lie. His obsessive need to control his childhood traumas and the external forces he believes caused them are what drives this story instead of gaudy action sequences. Of course there's no shortage of that either; a car chase across the city proves especially effective and the fight scenes have the grace and speed of the finest Asian martial arts movies. If I must nitpick, the climactic action sequence features editing that is so fractured and rapid that it's like watching the trailer; it's almost incomprehensible.
Then there are the performances. Christian Bale, who lost more than 60 pounds just for his role in "The Machinist," has buffed up physically but stays wounded and bruised psychically. This is one messed up superhero; he can't connect with anybody unless it's on his terms. The real star of the show for me, though, is Michael Caine as loyal butler Alfred, whose class, dry humor and Cockney accent let him steal every scene he's in. Morgan Freeman, who gets the most laughs but also the most respect as Wayne's tech guru proves that he could play Q in the next Bond flick, if they were smart enough to cast him. Katie Holmes, a.k.a the Bride of Cruise, can't escape her basic sweetness but is tough enough to play Gotham's last honest District Attorney.
Now a few notes on IMAX. If you haven't seen the film yet, and live in an area with an IMAX screen, I heartily reccomend seeing it there. The picture is enormous but crystal clear and the surround sound is terrific; in a scene where people are chattering in the background, I thought for a second that it was rude people in the audience! Since IMAX theatres are by nature stadium seating patrons with big hair were no problem. Best of all: no commercials and only one preview! True, it costs a couple of bucks more, but it's well worth it. If only all movies could be shown this way, instead of short documentaries and big Hollywood Blockbusters.
"Batman Begins" is one Hollywood Blockbuster that deserves your full support, though. Don't wait for DVD! (If you do however, I have an idea where you can buy it...)
|
|
|
Wildlife, nature and the Environment
Sponsored Links
Learn how to get your own Amazon Book shop | |
