Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 5.0
Doesn't EVEN compare to any Batman ever seen.
For once, the producers got it. They didn't want to screw up the franchise anymore and seem to have understood the way Batman was meant to be seen: Dark, gritty, angry, yet intelligent, sensitive, and even showing flaws in his first wake as the batman.Are you sick and tired of being pushed around by actors wearing plastic-rubber suits that make them look like a group of circus? Then come on in, this movie is for you. Here, we are *treated* and the word is light, with a Bruce Wayne that understood what most of us knew long ago: Batman is a symbol of fear, representing a man's eternal journey to rid a corrupted city's evil.The movie opens with a young Bruce Wayne playing in his parents' garden with Rachel Dawes. Inadvertently, young Bruce falls into an old hole. Meanwhile, Rachel went to seek Alfred (Michael Caine) and Thomas Wayne for help. Flash-forward almost 15 years later as Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) wakes up, bearded, dirty and in a cell. A large man picks a fight with him and quickly, the young billionnaire gains the advantage over many fighters. Shortly after, Bruce is sent to an isolated cell for protection. There, he meets with Henry Ducard (Liam Neeson) who offers a proposition he can't refuse. The next morning, set free, Bruce Wayne embarks on a journey that will transform him into the most feared creature of the night by all criminal. A fearless fighter who became his own demon by fighting it, the Batman. But every fight and victory has its price as Bruce Wayne will learn throughout the course of the movie.Christopher Nolan not only did an excellent job directing his actors (as always), but he managed to keep every aspect of the film as natural as possible, so it's no surprise when the movie ends that we feel like it might happen somewhere... anywhere, next door. His direction is precise and he knows exactly what every scene means to the characters involved. A++ for the director. A wise choice from Warner Brothers who definitely should hire his services for an inevitable sequel that should be as good as this movie.Christian Bale (Duh, the man was so born to play Batman), Liam Neeson (a nice addition to his impeccable acting skills), Morgan Freeman (the genius behind most of Batman's gadgets, nevertheless, an exquisite time with this character), Michael Caine (this man IS Alfred, no questions here), heck, even Katie Holmes is great, Where I thought she would play the Kim Basinger-ish heroine, she strikes to the heart as a woman whose entire life is the same battle as Batman (only, without a mask). Katie Holmes is definitely, after Michelle Pfeiffer, the series' best female addition ever, beating (I'm sorry people) Uma Thurman and Nicole Kidman. This ensemble shines everytime the spotlight is on them and every scene makes you want more of their characters. You almost want to spend some time in Gotham City.The design of the city, as the look and feel of the movie, is as natural and realistic as ever. A lot of work went into this project and it definitely shows as the alleys crowded with hanged clothes, close buildings and high-rise buildings give us the most beliveable Gotham City we've ever seen on screen. The locations serve the story and characters, never the opposite, which makes this movie one of the best superheroes movies ever seen.The special effects are impeccable as Batman is surrounded by digital bats, most of the city's skyscrapers are nowhere near real and the stunts are impressive. I was baffled, without a word when I saw all the details (I've seen it 5 times so far and I always see something new... always realistic though)Overall, finally, Batman Begins is not only a worthy addition to your DVD collection, it's a must. Warner Brothers went over-the-top with this edition (the deluxe edition). The bonus features are near perfection as we are brought in to discover the real struggle to make Batman work with Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer as they speak about the secret project that was Batman Begins (so secret they had to name it "Intimidation Game"... I'm not making that up people). From the special effects to the building of the batsuit, it's all in one of the most exciting DVDs I've seen in years. Truly a must buy and a must-see... now it's a must-own and frankly, you couldn't pick a better Batman title if you want something coming close to the original comic book material.