not bad

Rating: 7/10 (8 November 2005)

I'm a bit mad at myself for not giving this movie a chance and going to see it at the movies. I'm sure it would look fantastic on the big screen.
The movie is detailed and it's attempt at complexity i'll accept. What i really liked was the humorous exchange between Michael Caine and Christian Bale. The special effects were interesting and at the end i almost felt more than a little bit of sympathy for Batman. Mind you, i already felt sorry for him because he probably got the least "powers" out of all the superheros. I'd be angry about that too.
The moral story is obvious. In the beginning scenes where he is trained by the "baddies" and when he refuses to kill the criminal we see that there is little difference in strength between bad and good, but instead that it is a choice to be bad or good. That even 'superheros' like Batman have to make that brave choice. There's the always told but true story of man as having the choice to be good or bad. As Batman says, he's in-between; the protector in that he can prevent us from choosing bad by not being seduced by it- by eradicating it first.
Gotham is reflective of our society today. Corrupt, immoral, unforgiving. The story of Batman within it, is what i liked about it. I've never really thought about the cartoon heroes at any deeper level than what they were: cartoon heroes. But corny as it may be, Batman Begins, allowed me to do so. For that reason, i give it a 7 1/2.
Christian Bale, i suppose is a good batman. Katie Holmes- the worst monotone speech i've ever heard when she gives the "Gotham as corrupt" commentary in the car ride with Bale- the one she ends with a slap in the face. Otherwise, she's fine. My favorite, was Michael Caine. It's the accent i tell you.
Not bad stuff! Moral of the story: even if a film looks like (insert word here) from the ads, give it a chance in the cinemas. You may regret it.
It is interesting to see Christian Bale's range of acting. I've seen him in an indie flick with Kate Beckinsale, Batman and recently The Machinist. While I am dying to give his lips a little restalyne injection, he is a solid actor who is interesting enough.