Batman Begins

I’ve just returned from the latest incarnation of our favorite caped crusader in the form of Batman Begins, and, I must say, I think it’s the most plausible superhero movie I’ve ever seen. And that’s the primary reason I didn’t like it.

And, now, I steal a quote from Roger Ebert, who gave the movie four stars: “The movie is not realistic, because how could it be, but it acts as if it is.” Ebert, of course, meant this as a compliment, but I hardly think it is. Really, the problem I had with the movie is that it spends so much of its first half developing Batman and his eventual adversaries into real, human characters that, when the silliness abounds in the second half, I was just left groaning. Batman Begins tries so hard to be plausible that it makes its implausibility glaring.

Now, as someone who has been less than a fan of the recent brigade of superhero movies (save for the X-men films, which I thought were tolerable, if not exactly good), I was expecting more from Batman. Batman has always been my favorite superhero, and Tim Burton’s two Batman films have long been my favorite movies from the genre.

Burton managed to transport me to a world I had never before imagined, creating a surreal version of

Gotham

City that was magical – at least in its own bizarre way. Critics of

Burton’s Batman movies say the films are all style and no substance, and, hey, maybe they are. However, this is Batman; do we really need a thought provoking drama?

Burton didn’t think so, and he created Batman movies that had the allure of entering a self-contained world that you had never seen before. Batman Begins is too concerned with its attempts at weighty themes, and, eventually, its allure crumbles under them.

you know i loved this movie. i would say that it tries to be a bit more serious, like the comic it’s based from.

I feel a bit like you but mainly I really like the darkness of it, even though Hollywood had to throw a few stupid cliches into it. Bale is hot and the best! Thanks for the note and come back again if you like. xoxo

heatherette

July 12, 2005

Like you Batman is my favorite superhero, however I found I rather liked the movie, plausible and all. In fact I saw it twice, but of course I didn’t consider it as much. I mean really what more could you expect from a simpleton like me. Such a child at heart.

october rain

You’re a freak.

i’m glad you got out

Well, thats one movie I can scratch off my must see list. Have you seen War of the Worlds yet by chance? I was wondering if was any good.

Yes, before I leave my note, you may breathe a sigh of relief for now seeing that I am indeed still alive. *pause* Ok, now, I, and everyone else I know, loved this movie… well, really liked… love is such a strong word. At any rate, I should have suspected you’d be the one person I know to dislike and tear the movie down. You are so special… -K

I’ll always love anything by Tim Burton over anything else. Now i just have to wait for Willy Wonka to come out….mmmmmmm,Danny Elfmaaaan… <3 future GCSU girl

frzamonkey

July 14, 2005

batman is all about weighty themes. the schumaker films, the 60’s tv show, etc. has made people think that batman is cornball. My only problem with the movie is that is was not dark and serious enough.

Peter_24601

July 16, 2005

I loved this movie cause it departed from the corny, one liner over the top action crap that had been holding this franchise down. This new Batman movie is the start of something great, and I personally cannot wait for the sequel. Later,

Liyoness Rampant

I haven’t seen the movie, so I really don’t have a right to comment, but I’m going to comment anyway- I think actors make a huge difference in these sorts of films, as well. While the previous Batmans had actors such as Michael Keaton (I think that’s right..??), Michelle Pfiefer, Danny DeVito, and other talented actors, I know that Katie Holmes is in this latest Batman, and while a pretty girl,

and seemingly very sweet, she is simply not a good actress, and way too insubstantial for something which is supposed to be a major blockbuster.. Obviously I don’t know how she did in this film, so I shouldn’t comment, but that girl should probably stick to teen flicks.

I really like the Tim Burton ones. But then again, I AM biased towards anything directed by Burton, or starring Johnny Depp. 🙂 Which is why I *really* want to see “Charlie and the chocolate factory”…