This is only my second film review, so please keep your comments constructive. As always, I will not go on and on about the plot of the film, as the focus of this review is to encourage the reader to watch the film. But I will point out a few key areas.
Batman Begins is a film directed by Christopher Nolan released in 2005 - it runs for 140 minutes.
I received a Batman box set as a gift this Christmas; featuring Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Naturally, as I had barely heard of Batman Begins I slipped in The Dark Knight, I came way with the impression it was a good film - but without Heath Ledger?s excellent performance as the Joker it would have been your average super-hero blockbuster.
Looking back on it now, I made a very foolish decision. Batman Begins is the first in a very successful trilogy of Batman films, the first two of which have been directed by Christopher Nolan (the 3rd has not been announced but it would be foolish not to make one!) - so the sensible option would have involved watching this film first. As it turns out I didn?t, so I will defiantly be making references to The Dark Knight, to compare the two films.
Batman Begins is a film adaptation of the origins of Batman. Although I have never read the original comics, what your average Joe should know about this part of the story is all included. Wayne?s parents deaths, his (quite reasonable) fear of Bats, and his eventual transformation into the Batman ? its all in this film, and it all fits rather nicely.
There were so many ways this film could have completely destroyed Batman adaptations forever ? after Joel Schumacher had practically ruined the franchise with his appalling ?Batman and Robin?, it look a lot of courage to create yet another Batman film. Which, previous to this trilogy, had only been deemed reasonable when Tim Burton directed them. His dark, Gothic remake of Batman was almost too adult, and as a result Joel took charge turning it into a kid-friendly, clichéd, terrible film.
This is where Nolan?s vision is so ingenious, he mixes the jokes and action sequences that will appeal to our inner-children, but is still able to substantially develop the characters with interesting and diverse exposition.
The main area where this film shines - just like The Dark Knight - is in its actors. Christion Bale plays Batman, and in this film his voice (when dressed up as a Bat) is not nearly as irritating. In The Dark Knight some of Bales lines are very difficult to understand, as he tries to change his voice and goes over the top. In this film Bales performance is excellent, perfectly capturing the mix of emotions Batman faces thought this film, from love interests to attempted murder. Alongside Wayne, as always, is his butler Alfred ? played by Michael Caine. He provides his fair share of humorous dialogue, and is very well acted.
The ?Love-interest?, I mentioned earlier is Rachael Dawes, played by Katie Holmes; she gives a stellar performance, as a Lawyer attempting to put the criminals to justice in a corrupt system run by the very criminals she attempts to lock up.
In fact the only notably poor performances in the film are by the two major villains ? A twisted mental institution doctor who enjoys tormenting his ?patients? with a freaky Scarecrow mask and ?panic gas?, (I have forgotten what it is referred to in the film) played by Cillian Murphy. Alongside him is Henri Ducard played by Liam Neeson. It?s not so much that their performances were so bad, but that Heath Ledgers was so good. When you compare the insane laughter of the Joker, the loud explosions, thrilling car-chases (something I generally despise) to a guy running around in a mask (Scooby-Do reference!), who used gases, and a man who?s evil plan in unclear and pretty ridiculous. The Joker will win every time.
The characteristics of the villins areless intriguing, becasue neither of them seem to have the upper-hand on Batman in any way; he has no real rival.
Which is particularly disappointing, because the films story, - for the most part - is outstanding. Not only does Nolan explore the psyche behind Batman, but also the relationships between the characters are cleverly interconnected. Then again, this film is more about Batman than the main villains ? they could well have been an after-thought.
The Dark Knight thrived on its action sequences, but I feel Batman Begins captured the true style of Batman. He?s a Bat ? he hides in the shadows, his main weapon is his own mystery. So in this sense the combat sequences were well crafted in this film.
Gothem city really illuminates this (a strange choice of words considering it is so dark), with its great shadow effects and dark atmosphere.
In conclusion, Batman Begins is an excellent film ? it was nominated for an Oscar among other prestigious prizes. Great acting, story telling and atmosphere make this a must-see, even if you have already witnessed The Dark Knight.
Batman Begins is a film directed by Christopher Nolan released in 2005 - it runs for 140 minutes.
I received a Batman box set as a gift this Christmas; featuring Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Naturally, as I had barely heard of Batman Begins I slipped in The Dark Knight, I came way with the impression it was a good film - but without Heath Ledger?s excellent performance as the Joker it would have been your average super-hero blockbuster.
Looking back on it now, I made a very foolish decision. Batman Begins is the first in a very successful trilogy of Batman films, the first two of which have been directed by Christopher Nolan (the 3rd has not been announced but it would be foolish not to make one!) - so the sensible option would have involved watching this film first. As it turns out I didn?t, so I will defiantly be making references to The Dark Knight, to compare the two films.
Batman Begins is a film adaptation of the origins of Batman. Although I have never read the original comics, what your average Joe should know about this part of the story is all included. Wayne?s parents deaths, his (quite reasonable) fear of Bats, and his eventual transformation into the Batman ? its all in this film, and it all fits rather nicely.
There were so many ways this film could have completely destroyed Batman adaptations forever ? after Joel Schumacher had practically ruined the franchise with his appalling ?Batman and Robin?, it look a lot of courage to create yet another Batman film. Which, previous to this trilogy, had only been deemed reasonable when Tim Burton directed them. His dark, Gothic remake of Batman was almost too adult, and as a result Joel took charge turning it into a kid-friendly, clichéd, terrible film.
This is where Nolan?s vision is so ingenious, he mixes the jokes and action sequences that will appeal to our inner-children, but is still able to substantially develop the characters with interesting and diverse exposition.
The main area where this film shines - just like The Dark Knight - is in its actors. Christion Bale plays Batman, and in this film his voice (when dressed up as a Bat) is not nearly as irritating. In The Dark Knight some of Bales lines are very difficult to understand, as he tries to change his voice and goes over the top. In this film Bales performance is excellent, perfectly capturing the mix of emotions Batman faces thought this film, from love interests to attempted murder. Alongside Wayne, as always, is his butler Alfred ? played by Michael Caine. He provides his fair share of humorous dialogue, and is very well acted.
The ?Love-interest?, I mentioned earlier is Rachael Dawes, played by Katie Holmes; she gives a stellar performance, as a Lawyer attempting to put the criminals to justice in a corrupt system run by the very criminals she attempts to lock up.
In fact the only notably poor performances in the film are by the two major villains ? A twisted mental institution doctor who enjoys tormenting his ?patients? with a freaky Scarecrow mask and ?panic gas?, (I have forgotten what it is referred to in the film) played by Cillian Murphy. Alongside him is Henri Ducard played by Liam Neeson. It?s not so much that their performances were so bad, but that Heath Ledgers was so good. When you compare the insane laughter of the Joker, the loud explosions, thrilling car-chases (something I generally despise) to a guy running around in a mask (Scooby-Do reference!), who used gases, and a man who?s evil plan in unclear and pretty ridiculous. The Joker will win every time.
The characteristics of the villins areless intriguing, becasue neither of them seem to have the upper-hand on Batman in any way; he has no real rival.
Which is particularly disappointing, because the films story, - for the most part - is outstanding. Not only does Nolan explore the psyche behind Batman, but also the relationships between the characters are cleverly interconnected. Then again, this film is more about Batman than the main villains ? they could well have been an after-thought.
The Dark Knight thrived on its action sequences, but I feel Batman Begins captured the true style of Batman. He?s a Bat ? he hides in the shadows, his main weapon is his own mystery. So in this sense the combat sequences were well crafted in this film.
Gothem city really illuminates this (a strange choice of words considering it is so dark), with its great shadow effects and dark atmosphere.
In conclusion, Batman Begins is an excellent film ? it was nominated for an Oscar among other prestigious prizes. Great acting, story telling and atmosphere make this a must-see, even if you have already witnessed The Dark Knight.
