Product: Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Rating: 3.0
Starts slow, finishes better
(3 & 1/2 stars) This picture was a decent enough summer movie, but it failed to fully satisfy. The main problem was the slow first half; the scenes of Bruce Wayne gradually reaching the point of deciding to become Batman were relatively dull. There were some great action scenes in the second half, including an exciting chase involving the first Batmobile. I also like the James-Bondish way Bruce assembles the techno gadgetry that becomes the Batman suit, utility belt, etc. And it is fun seeing the origins of the Bat Cave, the Bat Signal (in the sky), etc. The acting is also solid, especially by Bale, Caine, and Freeman. Howver, I had a problem with the main villain, R'as Al gul. His motivations made no sense to me. The secondary villain, Scarecrow, was a little better. Another problem was that in most of the fight scenes, Wayne/Batman was just a blur - I really couldn't make out much of what was going on. I could understand the use of the blurry-action style to show Batman's quickness, but it was ineffective for me. Overall, I left this movie having enjoyed it a lot less than I had expected to.