Batman Begins... and how i wish it never ends!

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Title:
Batman Begins (A)
PH Release Date:
June 15, 2005
Actors:
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Ken Watanabe, Morgan Freeman, Gus Lewis
Director:
Christopher Nolan
Story:
Based on characters created by Bob Kane for D. C. Comics
Screenplay:
David S. Goyer & Christpher Nolan
Editor / Music:
Lee Smith / James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer
Design / Photography:
Nathan Crowley / Wally Pfister
Producer:
Emma Thomas et al.
Studio:
Warner Bros.


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It is not what you say that defines you, it's what you do….

When watching any flick, I try to make sure that I don’t put in a lot of or any expectations for the simple reason that it’s usually not met, therefore avoiding much unwanted disappointment. I did the same with this movie for weeks. In fact, I didn’t plan to watch this one at all after seeing the not-so attractive trailer (they didn’t show my Katie in the earlier trailers). But after great reviews and feedbacks from those who’ve seen it, a week before its showing, I’m as excited as any comic book fan on earth. And to be honest they went way beyond my expectations.


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I kept on trying to remember as to where I’ve heard the director’s name. I seek for any information regarding his previous works and there it hit me. He was that Brit guy who made one of the most talked-about movies of our generation--- Memento. I haven’t seen this one but I’m preparing for it. They say you gotta be primed from all aspects of your being before you see it. Only a genius can see this movie once and understand the entirety of it. So the director’s got a noir reputation, this is gonna be exciting.

And the hell it was. I loved it. Every aspect of the movie I embraced so dearly. This is the best comic book adaptation yet, and the best comic book-based movie since Spiderman 2. It touches the characters beyond the mythological and scientific factors. It’s serious but it doesn’t bore a bit. It’s gripping from start to finish and emotionally charged. It’s art and commercial in one. It’s a beginning everyone’s supposed to see.


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The movie goes where no other Batman movie has gone before--- where everything truly began. It delves into how a young boy who’s scared of bats became the human being of their kind. What’s extremely wonderful about it, aside from the fact that we get to see how he really developed into the Caped Crusader, is that it’s so believable. It was not repulsive at all.

I love Tim Burton’s works including the Batman movies. However, I gotta say that I love Christopher Nolan’s version more. I don’t know if it’s because the movie offers more than an exciting fight-scene between the Dark Knight and a villain, or it is because the whole idea seemed to be very real and not as fanciful. Yes, it may not have an Oscar-winning production design (at least not yet) but the story is great enough that a simple background will do.


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There’s magic about how mentally compelling Christopher Nolan’s works are. I’ve seen Insomnia and even a narcoleptic won’t be able to sleep while watching it. He shows characters like they are in front of you, as if they are part of the world you belong in. Not a single thread of doubt that they exist. He makes sure that you are involved in every aspect of the character’s development. He’s promulgating a no-audience left behind policy . Wahehe...


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The screenplay works well. The lines were good, a little more comicish in terms of discourse compared to Spiderman. Some profound dialogues which weren’t too cheesy for my taste.

Another proof of how great this film truly is, the two music geniuses: James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer working together in this one. That rarely happens and I’m so glad it’s for this project. The cinematography’s good and the editing’s fine as well. One thing I found quite off though is during the hand-to-hand combat scenes, the shots seemed to be all over the place. Aside from that it’s all good.


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At first, I doubted Christian Bale’s capacity to play the title role. Yeah, I know he’ll do everything for the sake of a movie, he already proved that going beyond skinny in The Machinist. Somehow, I just didn’t think he has the “it” factor to play the caped crusader, turns out he’ll be the only Batman worth seeing. Michael Keaton’s too emotional and Val Kilmer is too stoned, Bale is just perfect. I have one weird observation though, during some of the scenes between him and Katie he suddenly turned into Tobey Maguire, and it’s Peter and Mary Jane all over again. It’s funny but he needs to work on that one in case he’s doing the sequel God, I do hope so!


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Katie Holmes was at her best in this movie. She’s showing emotions so stop mocking my baby! Wahehe. Sorry Tom, she was mine first! Michael Caine is so perfect as Albert, a little stockier but it’s passable. Chris Cooper is so stupid to turn down Gary Oldman’s role, having an Oscar doesn’t make you a God so I hope you don’t get any good projects after the last work you did, which was like a century ago.

Liam Neeson never fails to amaze me, I guess he really felt his fight scenes with the Dark Night, something he’ll never be able to be, poor him, they should have given him the role when he was younger. The landmark performance goes to Tom Wilkinson, whew! And in case you’re wondering who that weirdly-eyed young man playing the psychologist/scarecrow is, it’s Cillian Murphy, the guy from 28 days later and the Girl with the Pearl Earring. Morgan Freeman was great as always. Ken Watanabe was a bit amusing.


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In case you didn’t catch what I said earlier, it’s the best comic book-based movie yet! I don’t care what others say, this is the finest of them all. Spiderman 2 comes in close second. This movie will cater to every kind of audience except maybe for children cuz it’s quite traumatic and mature in nature. But otherwise you’ll have a ball. I did. If anyone’s in need of a companion in seeing this one, don’t be shy and ask me, I’ll be more than willing to oblige. To face fear you must become fear, don't be the one preyed on... see how it all begins...

Grading Sheet:
Story – 18%
Screenplay – 18%
Direction / Execution – 18%
Acting – 19%
Technical Aspect – 18%
Total: 91% = A