Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 3.0
Who is Batman, anyway?
Batman has always been a cool character.In the old days he used to carry a gun and had that wondrous utility belt filled with who-knows-what to thwart his enemies. Later through various television takes, he was the 'detective' solving riddles and jokes staged by the appropriate villains. (Followed by an occasional dance here and there.) Nevertheless, it was still pretty cool if not entertaining. Much later in 1986, Frank Miller's take on 'The Dark Knight' was just that 'Dark'. Wonderfully futuristic and fabulously written with that nail biting hard edge that finds it's way into every Miller story (Sin City, 300)There's no denying that Tim Burton's 'Batman'(1989) reflects Miller's 'The Dark Knight Returns' mini series. For one, Keaton played the voice dark and sinister when wearing the mask. The way we heard it in our minds as we read through Miller's masterpiece. Up to that point Batman had only been voiced in cartoons and live television as a problem solver, with an almost 'Sherlock Holmes' quality. Hardly reflecting the gritty 'I'm Batman' line that was so viciously spat in the faces of unsuspecting criminals of both Burton's and now Nolan's 'Batman Begins'CONCEPT GRIPE:So why only three stars for B.B.? Well, lets just say, simply, it had it's good and bad points. I guess I had expectations for a better movie.These things happen.As an obviously more realistic take on the 'Batman' story, for me B.B's flaws start with just that topic. Should the Batman series be so realistic? No one questions this because they automatically think that realism is a plus when dealing with comic book stories.Well, we've all seen that guy dressed as Batman at the comic conventions or during Halloween. It doesn't get any more realistic than that. As he walks by, we can't help but sneer to ourselves, 'he doesn't look like the real Batman'. In retrospect, I think we're sneering because this guy is in a costume that looks its best leering over rainy rooftops in the dark of night....however, this caped crusader is casually walking through the convention with a chili dog in one hand and a diet soda in the other. I guess my point is that realism doesn't always work for every character. I feel that Batman works best in comics and animation and if you're doing a take on him for live action, it should have those elements noticeably involved.Batman Begins does have it's 'comic book' moments, but over all (and according to the praise of most critics) I think they were really trying to impress us with the 'realistic' approach. Unfortunately, at times, when Bale took the screen in costume, I couldn't help thinking about that guy at the convention with the chili dog...MOVIE: GRIPES AND CHEERS IN BRIEFGOOD: The film answers (in it's own way) lots of 'why' questions about the Bruce to Batman faze.BAD: Bruce Wayne trains with ninjas for months or years or whatever and doesn't realize their philosophy about killing.BAD: Fight scenes are too dark and too fast. Pull back for a sec...GOOD: Oldman's take on Gordon is one piece of realism that grounds the movie. His acting is surprisingly subtle.BAD: Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow is fine and all, but I'd rather have had a villan that didn't need to take his mask on and off when on screen.GOOD: Michael Cain's Alfred is well played and written.BAD: Katie Holmes: a threat to the Mob? Really?BAD: The Bat Tank made it's appearance too soon. Save it for Frank Miller's futuristic take on an aging Bruce Wayne in 'The Dark Knight Returns'.GOOD: Bruce Wayne's playboy antics involving wet women and buying a Hotel. Nice.BAD: B.B's climatic ending is a bit cliche involving former masters and train crashes. I would expect more fight out of the man who trained Batman.Should have let him escape.BAD: The relationship between Christian and Katie. I wasn't buyin' it.BAD: No strong 'bad guy' presence even though the story had plenty of them in it. Nolan's film is primarily viewed through Batman's eyes and focuses on his origins. As this is the case, I felt that the Scarecrow, the mob involvement and the former master story lines detracted us from getting to know and loath one good villain.BAD: Bale's Batman voice: too raspy!DVD:Looks like a tight 'Deluxe Edition' and will probably pick it up as a present for my wife. I think she wants us to get it so she can drool over Bale and Murphy...mostly Murphy;)FINAL THOUGHTS:Burton's take on Batman (which comes out on special edition DVD on 10/18 along with the rest of the previous live action films) was a breath of fresh air for the franchise. Unfortunately he 'weirded' folks out a bit with his typical Burton antics in the sequel. Shumacher's versions, noticeably boring after you get past the bright colors, didn't fare much better. (Although I thought Jim Carey was a perfect Riddler)Nolan's should have left them all in the dust, and in my opinion didn't. He just toned down the colors and added another flawed movie to the series. Hope the next one plays better the way Spider Man 2 did for that series.Surprisingly, I really enjoyed 'Batman: The Animated Series' and it's subsequent full length releases the most. Dark and full of retro 40's charm. A nice mix of the 'brooding Batman' from Miller's 'Dark Night' and a respectful dose of the ,detective Batman' from creator Bob Kane - And lets face it, Kane is the only man who truly knows who Batman really is.