Review 64: Batman Begins
Batman Begins is a masterful superhero movie and a leading example of Superhero origin stories in general.
After witnessing his parent murders, disillusioned billionaire, playboy Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham after seven years of studying of martial arts in the Far East under the tutelage of Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows.
With the help of his trusted butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), detective James "Jim" Gordon (Gary Oldman) and his ally Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Wayne unleashes his alter-ego: Batman, a masked vigilante who uses strength, intellect and high tech weaponry to fight evil.
The plot is a work of genius, it takes a darker, more twisted, grittier, more visceral, more realistic approach to Batman compared to previous adaptations of the character. Gone are the eccentricities and gothic wackiness of Tim Burton and campy one-liners, bright colours and overall lighter fare of Joel Schumacher and instead Nolan strips the character down to the bare bones, using “humanity and realism as the basis for the origin story he’s telling. Putting the Caped Crusader in a setting where the world is pretty much the world we live in but there’s this extraordinary figure there and explore the origin of that figure.
In terms of inspiration from the comics to bring their version of Batman to life, Director Christopher Nolan and his screenwriter David S. Goyer adapt material from Frank Miller's Batman: Year One, the 1989 comic book The Man Who Fall as well as comic book series Batman: The Long Halloween. Combining them all to tell a riverting, gripping, dark, smart and overall emotionally satisfying origin story for the Caped Crusader.
Comic book writer and author Danny Fingeroth has argued that a strong theme in the film is Bruce's search for a father figure, saying "Alfred is the good father that Bruce comes to depend on.
Bruce's real father died before they could establish an adult relationship, and Liam Neeson's Ducard is stern and demanding, didactic and challenging, but not a father figure with any sympathy. If Bruce is anyone's son, he is Alfred's. Morgan Freeman's Lucius is cool and imperturbable, another steady anchor in Bruce's life." Blogger Mark Fisher states that Bruce's search for justice requires him to learn from a proper father figure, with Thomas Wayne and Ra's al Ghul being the two counterpoints. Alfred provides a maternal figure of unconditional love, despite the overall lack of focus on a mother figure in Bruce's life.
Fingeroth also argues that a major theme in the film is fear, which supports the story of Bruce Wayne becoming a hero. Director Christopher Nolan stated that the idea behind the film was "a person who would confront his innermost fear and then attempt to become it". Fingeroth referred to this film's depiction as "the man with fear—but who rises above it". The theme of fear is further personified by the choice of antagonist, the Scarecrow. The film depicts how fear can affect all creatures regardless of might. Allusions to fear are seen throughout, from Bruce's conquering of his demons, to becoming Batman, to the Scarecrow and his deadly fear toxin. The macabre, distorted images presented in the Scarecrow's toxin-induced hallucinations also express the idea of terror to an extreme.
Also contrary to previous Batman films, a psychological investigation of Bruce Wayne's split personality in the bat suit is only lightly touched upon. Orndorf noted that Bruce is a "character constantly striving to do the right thing, not worn down by incessant reexamination".
Fear is a powerful emotion
Contrary to previous Big Screen versions of The Dark Knight, the psychological investigation of Bruce’s split personality in the batsuit is only lightly touched upon and Christopher Nolan and co-writer David S. Goyer firmly make Bruce Wayne a man whose constantly striving to do the right right thing and is not worn down by ceaseless reexamination.
Justice vs Revenge: One of the main driving forces behind Bruce's journey to becoming the Caped Crusader is the need to atone for his parents deaths which he holds himself accountable for as well as to make the world a better, brighter place that one day won't need a Batman.
Writer/director Christopher Nolan's directing is precise, the production designs is fantastic, sets like Gotham City, Wayne Manor, the Batsuit, Batcave, Batmobile, and the Batsignal are brilliantly crafted with painstaking detail - Gotham City in particular is portrayed as a nasty, grimy place that's overridden with crime, the cinematography is brilliant and captures the breathtaking, the score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard is spectacular and intensifies the films themes and eschews traditional heroic themes. The special effects are staggering (Nolan's emphasis on practical effects helps to drive home the films grounded and gritty feel even further). The action scenes are thrilling, expertly staged and exciting to watch and there are some real moments of terror.
The acting is excellent, when it comes to casting Christopher Nolan has done a spectacular job of choosing great actors to play these iconic comic book characters.
Christian Bale was born to play Bruce Wayne/Batman, he has the right amount of charm, charisma and playboy attitude required to play billionaire Bruce Wayne, he also captures the psychological torment and inner demons of Bruce Wayne and he is appropriately, and equally menacing, tough and badass as Batman. It's a tough juggling act to play all these sides of a troubled multilayered character but Bale pulls it off superbly.
Bruce Wayne is a man who's seen just way too much horror way to early in his life.
Michael Caine is fantastic as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's butler and father figure, he has cared for Bruce since his parents were killed and feels a great deal of affection for him and very protective of him. He also brings out Bruce's human side and humanises him and keeps him grounded and prevents him from doing anything rash. He also provides warmth, humour and lightheartedness to an otherwise dark and intense film.
Gary Oldman is simply splendid as Commissioner James Gordon. After meeting Bruce at a young age after the murder of his parents, he becomes one of Bruce's most invaluable allies in his crusade as Batman.
He's one of the few honest cops in Gotham City and Bruce recognises that which is why he has him as an ally.
Morgan Freeman is fabulous as Lucius Fox
As Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul, Liam Neeson makes for a simply superb villain. Effectively bringing to life one of the most fascinating characters in Batman Lore.
What makes Ra's al Ghul such an intriguing character and Neeson's performance so effective is that he doesn't see himself as a villain.
Ra's wants nothing more than to heal the world of corruption but his methods are rather twisted and very draconian. He honestly believes that Gotham is beyond saving as it is plagued with too many evils and too much crime and is filled with suffering and injustice.
These views puts him at odds with Bruce who just cannot sit by and let him carry out his agenda.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Katie Holmes as Bruce Wayne's childhood sweetheart, Rachel Dawes seemed too overrated for the role she shares no chemistry with Christian Bale. She doesn't
Batman Begins is a must see superhero movie, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
After witnessing his parent murders, disillusioned billionaire, playboy Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham after seven years of studying of martial arts in the Far East under the tutelage of Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows.
With the help of his trusted butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), detective James "Jim" Gordon (Gary Oldman) and his ally Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Wayne unleashes his alter-ego: Batman, a masked vigilante who uses strength, intellect and high tech weaponry to fight evil.
The plot is a work of genius, it takes a darker, more twisted, grittier, more visceral, more realistic approach to Batman compared to previous adaptations of the character. Gone are the eccentricities and gothic wackiness of Tim Burton and campy one-liners, bright colours and overall lighter fare of Joel Schumacher and instead Nolan strips the character down to the bare bones, using “humanity and realism as the basis for the origin story he’s telling. Putting the Caped Crusader in a setting where the world is pretty much the world we live in but there’s this extraordinary figure there and explore the origin of that figure.
In terms of inspiration from the comics to bring their version of Batman to life, Director Christopher Nolan and his screenwriter David S. Goyer adapt material from Frank Miller's Batman: Year One, the 1989 comic book The Man Who Fall as well as comic book series Batman: The Long Halloween. Combining them all to tell a riverting, gripping, dark, smart and overall emotionally satisfying origin story for the Caped Crusader.
Comic book writer and author Danny Fingeroth has argued that a strong theme in the film is Bruce's search for a father figure, saying "Alfred is the good father that Bruce comes to depend on.
Bruce's real father died before they could establish an adult relationship, and Liam Neeson's Ducard is stern and demanding, didactic and challenging, but not a father figure with any sympathy. If Bruce is anyone's son, he is Alfred's. Morgan Freeman's Lucius is cool and imperturbable, another steady anchor in Bruce's life." Blogger Mark Fisher states that Bruce's search for justice requires him to learn from a proper father figure, with Thomas Wayne and Ra's al Ghul being the two counterpoints. Alfred provides a maternal figure of unconditional love, despite the overall lack of focus on a mother figure in Bruce's life.
Fingeroth also argues that a major theme in the film is fear, which supports the story of Bruce Wayne becoming a hero. Director Christopher Nolan stated that the idea behind the film was "a person who would confront his innermost fear and then attempt to become it". Fingeroth referred to this film's depiction as "the man with fear—but who rises above it". The theme of fear is further personified by the choice of antagonist, the Scarecrow. The film depicts how fear can affect all creatures regardless of might. Allusions to fear are seen throughout, from Bruce's conquering of his demons, to becoming Batman, to the Scarecrow and his deadly fear toxin. The macabre, distorted images presented in the Scarecrow's toxin-induced hallucinations also express the idea of terror to an extreme.
Also contrary to previous Batman films, a psychological investigation of Bruce Wayne's split personality in the bat suit is only lightly touched upon. Orndorf noted that Bruce is a "character constantly striving to do the right thing, not worn down by incessant reexamination".
Fear is a powerful emotion
Contrary to previous Big Screen versions of The Dark Knight, the psychological investigation of Bruce’s split personality in the batsuit is only lightly touched upon and Christopher Nolan and co-writer David S. Goyer firmly make Bruce Wayne a man whose constantly striving to do the right right thing and is not worn down by ceaseless reexamination.
Justice vs Revenge: One of the main driving forces behind Bruce's journey to becoming the Caped Crusader is the need to atone for his parents deaths which he holds himself accountable for as well as to make the world a better, brighter place that one day won't need a Batman.
Writer/director Christopher Nolan's directing is precise, the production designs is fantastic, sets like Gotham City, Wayne Manor, the Batsuit, Batcave, Batmobile, and the Batsignal are brilliantly crafted with painstaking detail - Gotham City in particular is portrayed as a nasty, grimy place that's overridden with crime, the cinematography is brilliant and captures the breathtaking, the score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard is spectacular and intensifies the films themes and eschews traditional heroic themes. The special effects are staggering (Nolan's emphasis on practical effects helps to drive home the films grounded and gritty feel even further). The action scenes are thrilling, expertly staged and exciting to watch and there are some real moments of terror.
The acting is excellent, when it comes to casting Christopher Nolan has done a spectacular job of choosing great actors to play these iconic comic book characters.
Christian Bale was born to play Bruce Wayne/Batman, he has the right amount of charm, charisma and playboy attitude required to play billionaire Bruce Wayne, he also captures the psychological torment and inner demons of Bruce Wayne and he is appropriately, and equally menacing, tough and badass as Batman. It's a tough juggling act to play all these sides of a troubled multilayered character but Bale pulls it off superbly.
Bruce Wayne is a man who's seen just way too much horror way to early in his life.
Michael Caine is fantastic as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's butler and father figure, he has cared for Bruce since his parents were killed and feels a great deal of affection for him and very protective of him. He also brings out Bruce's human side and humanises him and keeps him grounded and prevents him from doing anything rash. He also provides warmth, humour and lightheartedness to an otherwise dark and intense film.
Gary Oldman is simply splendid as Commissioner James Gordon. After meeting Bruce at a young age after the murder of his parents, he becomes one of Bruce's most invaluable allies in his crusade as Batman.
He's one of the few honest cops in Gotham City and Bruce recognises that which is why he has him as an ally.
Morgan Freeman is fabulous as Lucius Fox
As Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul, Liam Neeson makes for a simply superb villain. Effectively bringing to life one of the most fascinating characters in Batman Lore.
What makes Ra's al Ghul such an intriguing character and Neeson's performance so effective is that he doesn't see himself as a villain.
Ra's wants nothing more than to heal the world of corruption but his methods are rather twisted and very draconian. He honestly believes that Gotham is beyond saving as it is plagued with too many evils and too much crime and is filled with suffering and injustice.
These views puts him at odds with Bruce who just cannot sit by and let him carry out his agenda.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Katie Holmes as Bruce Wayne's childhood sweetheart, Rachel Dawes seemed too overrated for the role she shares no chemistry with Christian Bale. She doesn't
Batman Begins is a must see superhero movie, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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