"batman begins"

[rone]

I think i've avoided writing about the movie because it would just be an exercise in nerdiness that i could avoid.  But then mmcirvin posted his thoughts on the movie and, gosh darn it, if he's not above it, why should i?

I didn't mind Katie Holmes's acting; i think that the character was poorly written (perhaps even poorly conceived), and she made the best of it.  I was surprised by the special guest appearance of her nipples in the final scenes; maybe Christian Bale's a hell of a kisser.

I liked Bale's Batman voice.  I thought it was effective.  I was confused by the juggling of Ra's Al Ghul's identity — was Ken Watanabe really Ra's and Ducard usurped the name afterwards, or was Ducard Ra's all along and Watanabe played... someone else?  Gah!  CONFUSION.  Gary Oldman was so good, it pissed me off that they deviated so far from Frank Miller's Batman: Year One; the book gives almost equal time to Gordon (as well as Catwoman, but she's not even in the movie, so whatever), and the lack of development of Gordon's character is a huge missed opportunity.  Tom Wilkinson kicked ass and needed more screen time (but i've liked him in every movie i've seen him).  Cillian Murphy was spooky.  Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, well, i won't say they phoned it in, but they didn't exactly stretch themselves, either.

One thing that really bothered me was Batman's rush to save Katie Holmes.  I know i'm being a big nerd here, but Batman would never be so careless as to crush civilian and cop cars just to save some chick's life.  Another annoyance was the conversion of Flass from an overbearing Green Beret asshole to a seedy donut-eater who was more apathetic than corrupt.  Overall, though, the movie was fun, well-written, and well-paced (people who complained about the "slow beginning" should be locked into an Ingmar Bergman festival until they recant).

In conclusion, go read Batman: Year One. You might even find it at the library. Do it now.

Comments

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

I dunno, the whole decoy theory just grates on me. And anyway, the story about how Ra's uses the Lazarus Pit to remain immortal was essentially thrown out.

They didn't NEED to stretch themselves, but it seems like a waste to have excellent actors play a role that's so... eh.

[ratphooey.livejournal.com]

I thought Freeman was much more wasted than Caine, who seemed to have his own take on a much more iconic character without, say, doing a Johnny Depp Wonka kind of thing.

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

Morgan Freeman is in every movie now, mostly just reading his lines in exactly the same way. Never terrible, never unpredictable. He's become Extruded Morgan Freeman Product. Caine as Cockney Alfred, though, that was kind of interesting, and he had all the movie's best lines.

[erikred.livejournal.com]

During his appearance on Inside the Actor's Studio, Freeman pointed out that the only roles he gets offered these days are ones with gravitas. He would really like to do another intense turn in something gritty and real like Street Smart (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094056/); I hope he gets the chance to do it.

[nyar.livejournal.com]

My impression is that Watanabe was "Ra's", up until he got crushed. Then later Ducard became "Ra's". In the end, "Ra's" was more powerful than an single individual, because he was a symbol... like Batman!

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

That was how i first read it. But then others poisoned my mind with their crackpot theories. Christmas was RUINED!

Hannibal sez ...

[(Anonymous)]

... what makes you think the Lazarus Pits were thrown out? Just because a brand-new Batman didn't hear about them? Besides, I knew when I saw Ducard always speak for "Ra's" that something was hinkedy, and that maybe Padme had a hand in the script. Neeson did miss the real queen for a looooong time in TPM ...

As well, Bale had been Batman, what, a few weeks when he did the car chase? He wasn't the Bat God we've come to know and love. He was, in many ways, a shmuck still learning. Later, he'd probably say, "Maybe I need a sleeker Batmobile, and to cause less damage ... and maybe set up a fund to take care of victims of my carelessness ..."

Freeman was amused at the role, and it showed. "Oh the Tumbler? You wouldn't be interested in _that_!" Best line in the movie, to me. Oldman was downplayed, which was indeed a loss.