Movie Review: Batman Begins
June 18, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton
Who’s
afraid of the big black bat? Evil. That’s the idea anyway. Batman
Begins chronicles the rise of one of America’s favorites comic book
heroes. Whatever you wanted to know about Batman, played by Christian
Bale, you will likely find out. But the back-story is only a third of
the film. The rest in played out in a run-down Gotham falling victim to
poverty and crime where only a few good people believe it can be saved.
The
movie has no shortage of stars. Bale is backed by Katie Holmes who
plays his child-hood friend turned love interest, Michael Caine who
plays beloved Alfred, Liam Neeson plays his mentor, and Morgan Freeman
plays his scientist. The only performance I thought could have been
better was Katie Holmes, but she did okay. Neeson was spectacular as
always. Bale, who also stared in one of my all time favorites- Swing
Kids, was phenomenal. I had my doubts going in about how he would do,
but he exceeded all my expectations.
The
entire film exceeded my expectations. Thank goodness Clooney as Batman
is gone. Bale is the real Batman, the jewel set in this masterpiece.
The plot was almost predictable, but still strong. There were a number
of super hero clichés broken, which is nice to see.
Batman
is the one super hero who people can usually relate to. He wasn’t
bitten by a spider, descended from another planet, or burned by cosmic
rays. He was bitten by tragedy, descended from good normal parents, and
burned by the evil in the world. He’s one of us. He’s who we wish we
could be. This movie brings that man to life. It emphasizes the
necessary theme of good verses evil and shows us how thin the line
between the two can be. And it reminds us that who we are “underneath”
is known by what we do. “Faith without works is dead.” Batman Begins is
easily one of the best films of 2005.
No
language or sex issues, but it does have a dark edge to it that deems
it inappropriate for small children. Highest recommendations for
everyone else.
Related posts:
- An Alternative Review of Batman Begins
- Movie Review: Fever Pitch
- Movie Review: He Was a Quiet Man
- Movie Review: Elizabethtown
- Movie Review: War of the Worlds
- Movie Review: Constantine
Posted in Main Page, Movie Reviews, Roger's Posts
content rss
June 18th, 2005 at 2:07 am
There is at least one swear, one JC, and one GD. See this review for a more specific break down on this and other concerns. Note: The other review also thinks it's a great movie. I can't wait to see it!
Big Chris
Because I said so
June 18th, 2005 at 8:00 am
Don't forget Gary Oldman!
June 18th, 2005 at 9:27 am
That just seems picky to me. There's a difference between tasteful use of language and tasteless use- which tends to be in many movies these days. There was nothing tastless about the language. That review also notes the “bare shoulders” (which is about 1 second of the movie) and the “tender kiss.” I'm surprised they didn't complain about them holding hands too.
June 18th, 2005 at 2:30 pm
Batman Begins is easily one of the best films of 2005.
Better than Cinderella Man?
June 18th, 2005 at 4:02 pm
Haven't seen that one. It may be better, but Batman's still “one of the best”
June 19th, 2005 at 8:20 am
My 3 year old son Noah got a batman mask. He fell asleep in his car seat while wearing it. When I went to get him out, he was snoring and drooling. That is the way I like to think of Batman.
June 26th, 2005 at 1:12 pm
On the subjet of movies…. Wasn't there an A-Team movie recently released or is it wishful thinking? No one seems to have heard of it??
June 26th, 2005 at 1:22 pm
Wishful thinking. They've released the first two seasons of the show on DVD, and so far no release date for the next season. There is, supposedly, an A-Team movie in the works. I haven't seen any news on it since October. It's suppose to be more like Lethal Weapon and Die Hard- people actually die when they drive off a cliff. None of the characters will played by original actors, but there may be some cameo appearances. I'm not sure if they even have a script yet.
June 26th, 2005 at 1:25 pm
Speaking of TV to movie news, there's a 24 movie in the works. http://www.countingdown.com/movies/3076258/news?item_id=3739505
June 30th, 2005 at 12:39 pm
Christian Bale was good in Equilibrium too.