(non-spoiler review)
Dark, gritty, nightmarish and heroic…Christopher Nolan ‘s interpretation of the origin of the Dark Knight was all that should be expected of a Batman film and more. While essentially retelling a story that any Batman fan has seen or read many times, Nolan manages to imbue this chapter of the Batman mythos with new life. I found myself immersed in the movie immediately even while anticipating the inevitable death of young Bruce Waynes’ parents. Nolan gives the Waynes a heroic element of their own which reveberates throughout both the film and the timeline of the fictional Gotham City. This element helps to build the foundation of Bruce Waynes’ character and makes his desire to be the protector of Gotham City much more relevant.
I enjoyed the choice of the classic Batman villains. The portrayals of Ra’s Al Ghul and the Scarecrow were superbly done. I will not write much more concerning these two characters so as not to spoil the movie. I will say, however, that the special effects and method of shooting the Scarecrow scenes were terrific and truly nightmare inducing. I was actually quite surprised at the level of fright in a movie that many people will be taking young children to see. It was excellent but the PG-13 rating should be heeded by parents of nightmare prone children.
The entire movie was filmed, colored, and costumed to perfection. The color palate really set the tone that this movie would take right from the opening frames. The costuming was very classic and subtle…it added to but did not distract from the movie. The handling of the Batman costume was fantastic. Very well done. The cinematography and special effects were terrific…even more so because they too did not distract from the story. You noticed the special effects, but they did not awe so much that they took you out of the movie. I also have to give kudos to the designers who created the look of Gotham City. Gotham looked very much like a modern city but with a slight hint of classic science fiction “city of the future” elements that made it an interesting place in and of itself.
The choice of actors was very good. Christian Bale portrayed Bruce Wayne and Batman terrifically. In my opinion he is the best of the Batman actors thus far. Bale was able to be make Bruce Wayne/Batman both moody and likeable. Bale’s Bruce Wayne was charming, but not overly so and his Batman was moody and dark but not one dimensional. Michael Caine is Alfred and would’ve been the best and most logical choice for all of the Batman films. Katie Holmes makes the most out of an admittedly small role and I enjoyed her in this. Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman were excellent, as was Rutger Hauer. I haven’t seen Hauer in a movie in some time and I didn’t realize he was in this until he first appeared on screen. It was fun to see him again. Gary Oldman was a terrific choice for police officer and one-day commissioner Jim Gordon and he did a great job. A terrific cast…well done!
I attended this film with my brother and his family. Half way through the film my 10 year old nephew Elijah leaned over and said, “This is a great movie!”. At the end of the movie he looked at me and said, “If I had a microphone I bet I could say ‘raise your hand if you liked this movie’ and everyone would raise their hands!” Well Elijah, I would have to agree. My hand is up…..
I’m so jealous. I haven’t seen this movie yet and everyone coming into the comic shop on Wednesday and Friday evenings were raving about it. I must see this movie soon. I may check it on IMAX. Glad to have you back on the blog. I hope your get away was great.
It was. As soon as I get my pix back (hopefully early next week) I’ll post about the B&B, etc.
If you can’t get to it at the IMAX we can always see the later show on Wed. night.
Julie has never liked any of the batman movies.
I wonder if she would enjoy this one?
I don’t know. This is much less “super-heroey” and more like a Godfatherish, clean up the town type of movie. She might.
“and it was good “
I loved this movie! And I think it is, by far, the best. Christian Bale is all Carl said he was. For an 11 year old’s opinion. Logan said there was only one “really scarey part” – and that was the Scarecrow. He is truley creepy.
I didn’t think I’d live to see that day that Scott (sce) would post a comment! Looking forward to talking to you about Batman, etc.
Going on Friday, and it’s nice to know that my high expectations will certainly be met. Nolan as director, Bale as Batman, Caine, Freeman, Oldman…….
(sigh)….Roll on Friday!
Cool, machine. Come back and post your thoughts. I’m going to see it again this Wed. with Jeff and hopefully James.
I have to raise my hand, too. A great movie.
Batman Begins – to be watchable once more.
I CANNOT WAIT to see this movie. Karen in no way wants to see it, so I’m going to have to rely on you or James to see it with me. We need to do that anyway, when was the last time? Tanner’s last summer? Carl loves the soup. Maybe we can get Jeff to join us. How about this Friday? I’m not on call and last Friday I was busy. James? Jeff? I know Carl would see it again. Okay it’s a date. I’ll wear my special pink pants. I’m almost scared to go to the Commons because of the sound issues. Macaroni Grill then the movie. Sounds good to me.
I have to work Friday. Jeff and I are going on Wed. at 8:30 and James is supposed to join us. Do you want to come with?
Maybe, sounds cool. Dinner? I’ll ask Karen and see if she can watch the kids. Actually they go to bed at that time so it should be okay, even if dinner is out.
You, James and I could do dinner. Jeff has to work at the comic shop until 8.
Saw it Sunday with Melissa and Jim (I was in Minnesota). WOW!!!!! It was great!
Carl was spot on with his observations. As much as I love Tim Burton, I must say liked the shift from the stereotypical comic book feel to the more grounded realism. It wasn’t so cartoony. And yet, all those great iconic elements are still there.
It dragged a bit during the batmobile for me, but overall a great movie!
I imagine the weather was much nicer up in Minn. than it is in Tx about now!
Yes, it was! I couldn’t believe how much cooler it got in the evening when the sun went down.
Here in hell, er, I mean Texas, sunset only brings the temp down to about 85 or so. Stupid humidity!
Hey, you know what? I have this crazy fantasy of doing what Bruce Wayne did, only for entirely selfish reasons.
Remember that scene of him walking off into the Himalayas (or wherever remote part of the world it was)? I love that image, the subtlety of it. The lone man, walking off to find himself. Holy crap, that’s powerful. You know what it reminds me of?
Here it comes, I can’t help it, Mel cover your ears: it’s so much like Wild At Heart!
Actually, Melissa asked me — before I could bring it up! — if I saw any WAH in the movie.
And it’s there. After Bruce sees his parents gunned down, his father’s last words to him, eyes locked intently on his boy, were:
“Don’t be afraid, son.”
But Bruce was afraid. Fear ruled him and he blamed his dad for not saving himself.
Hence his trek into the wilderness. I’d love to do that. Fall off the grid in search of who Rob is and was meant to be.
I could say something like “you’re already off the grid, you live in Texas!”…but that wouldn’t be nice! 🙂
Seriously, I get the feeling that you like this book!
Maybe you need to take some vacation time and fall off the map. I know people who have done that and it is always beneficial. The relaxing week that I just had off was almost like that for me. Can you take off 2, 3, 4 weeks?