text:
Movie News
Moriarty's Seen BATMAN BEGINS!!
Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Christopher Nolan, I'd like to shake your hand.
And I'd like to congratulate Warner Bros. and DC for not only making a great BATMAN film, but also for raising the stakes on how adult and affecting a comic book movie can be. Since 1997, Warner Bros. has taken a lot of sht from every comic fan on the planet, and for this particular moment, all of that should stop. BATMAN BEGINS is a potent piece of pop mythology, confident, commercial, and mainstream as hell, but not at all what I expected when I walked into the theater last Thursday night.
It's pretty much all I've been able to think about since. It's that kind of a movie. It demands instant replay. There are things you're going to want to look at again right away. And it's a gloriously big movie. It sounds like a perfect fit for an IMAX run, and I may try to go back to see it that way soon. Now that I've seen this, it's starting to feel like 2005 is The Summer of Fear. REVENGE OF THE SITH is all about how fear leads to the downfall of Anakin Skywalker. WAR OF THE WORLDS looks like an exercise in fear and preserving your family in the face of it. BATMAN BEGINS is obsessed with fear from its opening frames, and it manages something that no other film version of Batman has so far: it's scary.
Once you've seen Nolan's treatment of the material, it seems like a giant "duh," but no one else has ever fully illustrated why Bruce Wayne would choose a bat as his symbol or what effect he hopes that symbol will have on others. The film also does an outstanding job of illustrating the emotional toll that the loss of his parents has on Bruce, moving past the few iconic images that we normally see so that it can etch a portrait of real loss, thanks in no small part to the affecting work of Linus Roche as Thomas Wayne, Bruce's father. Where the film really excels is in the way it draws together at least a dozen different characters and several different story threads into a thematically coherent dramatic whole.
The film doesn't feel episodic, or like it's been stitched together to satisfy some marketing department checklist, with the exception of one decision we'll discuss below. Superhero films so far have been justly criticized for a dulling sameness of plot, or for having scripts that are oftent flimsy excuses for set pieces and special effects. I love the genre, but I'll admit that there's lots of room for improvement. It seems like the bar is continually being reset every couple of years as filmmakers work to make better movies even as they deliver the specific thrills that fans are looking for. Last year's SPIDER-MAN 2 was probably the pinnacle of any of the Marvel movies so far, and I expected that BATMAN BEGINS was going to be an imitation of all the things Marvel's gotten right so far. It's not, though, aside from that shameless DC Comics logo at the front of the film. Christopher Nolan and screenwriter David Goyer dared to aim high with this movie, and that ambition served them well. I thought Nolan was a little full of himself when I heard him namedrop BLADE RUNNER and David Lean during production. It sounded like grandiose hot air, but I can see both of those influences as more in the finished film. Nolan's well-steeped in all the previous visual incarnations of Batman, both on the page and on the screen, and there are sly nods to the best of what's come before peppered throughout the film. This is a fresh take, visually and dramatically, and the sheer thrill of seeing someone pull that off is worth the price of admission.
Some of the credit obviously belongs to the exceptional team of artists Nolan collaborated with on the film. Cinematographer Wally Pfister's given the film a totally different palette than any recent comic book movie, earthy browns and yellows, hardly the primary colors of something like SPIDER-MAN or HULK, and it also eschews the simple monochromatic blacks and whites that were part of Tim Burton's approach. There's nothing gothic about this Gotham, and that's fine by me. Gotham feels like a real city, and whatever special effects are used to flesh it out are meant to be invisible. Production designer Nathan Crowley hasn't done anything like BATMAN BEGINS before now, and that may have made him the perfect guy for the job. He's done his best to ground Gotham in the familiar, and that makes it easier to empathize with Bruce Wayne, to put yourself in his shoes. It feels like this could happen in the world we live in, not in some fantastic land of mutants and superpowers.
Christian Bale is undeniably talented. I've been a fan since the still-terribly-underrated EMPIRE OF THE SUN. As an adult, he specializes in chilly but fascinating. His work in last year's THE MACHINIST was hallucinatory and daring, and far more than just a dangerous weight loss stunt. His work as Patrick Bateman in AMERICAN PSYCHO has become iconic. Here, it's fine if Bruce Wayne comes across like a barely-restrained freak. Bale's natural emotional reticence feels appropriate, and it actually makes us feel more for him. We see why he's disconnected, and we see every step of his efforts to reconnect. He tries it the wrong way first, then gradually finds his way to the right method. The start of the film crosscuts between Wayne's present and his past as he attempts to deal with the guyilt and fear brought on by the deaths of his parents. You want character arc? Well, Bruce goes through several. First he's got to forgive himself. Then he's got to master his fear. Then he's got to train himself to turn that fear outward. Then he's got to establish himself as a symbol. And the real trick of the thing is how each of these arcs is compelling in its own right. We meet a lot of interesting characters along the way, all fleshed out above and beyond the call of duty by an excellent supporting cast. Tom Wilkinson's having obvious fun as Falcone, the city's big mob boss, but it's not over the top a la Jack Palance in Burton's '89 BATMAN. Rutger Hauer follows up his uber-creepy SIN CITY turn with quietly slimy work as Richard Earle, the man charged with running Wayne Enterprises. Cillian Murphy's even stranger than Bale as Dr. Jonathan Crane, and the way his change into The Scarecrow is handled should give any NIGHTBREED fan a smile. I'd argue that the Scarecrow alone makes this a film that no child should see. This movie pushes the outer edge of the PG-13, and I think it's just a matter of luck that they got the rating at all, something that definitely distinguishes this from any other BATMAN. Meanwhile, Katie Holmes has the most difficult role in the film, since it's the one role that Goyer and Nolan didn't crack. Rachel Dawes is the one district attorney that can't be bribed or threatened, and she's also supposed to be Bruce's lifelong love interest. We already know he's not going to end up with her, so the romantic subplot is a dud from the moment it's introduced. If Dawes the district attorney had been replaced with Harvey Dent and the film had foregone the love interest altogether, I would have no complaints at all.
As it is, this film makes the exact same mistake regarding the love interest that Burton's first film did: they let her into the Batcave and they reveal Bruce's dual identity to her. It seems perfunctory, and it's the one major narrative misstep. As useless as she is in the film, Michael Caine is absolutely indispensable as Alfred. His lifelong devotion to the Wayne family is touching and powerful because of the grace that Caine brings to it. He doesn't have to say a word in some scenes. He just radiates a certain heartbroken strength when Wayne most needs it. Equally good is Liam Neeson as a slippery underworld figure who introduces Bruce to much of the methodology that he uses as Batman. It's a pretty canny twist on the mentor character that Neeson normally plays, and he classes the joint up every time he's onscreen. Morgan Freeman's the same way. He doesn't have a lot of screen time as Lucius Fox, the guy responsible for the development of much of the technology that Bruce uses, but he makes the most of every scene. It helps that he gets to be part of some of the most purely fun material in the film.
Finally, there's Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon. Typically, Gordon's been a nothing character in any of the films, but this one really lays the groundwork for Gordon as one of the key players in this franchise. I like the relationship that he has with Batman, starting with their first meeting when Gordon is the cop who comforts Bruce the night his parents are killed. This is one of the most normal roles that Oldman has ever played, the one good cop in Gotham. Gordon's a bit of a nerd, honest to a fault, and he's the only one Batman seems to trust. By the end of the film, they've reached the rapport that I've always pictured them having, and all the pieces are in place for what promises to be an outstanding second film.
One of the other things I love is the way all of Batman's gadgets and vehicles and weapons and his hideout and his costumes and everything else are all grounded in a sort of reality. Sure, you're still going to have to exercise your suspension of disbelief in order to buy into the concept of a guy in a bat suit fighting crime, but for the first time in any Batman movie, someone's made the effort to make it seem plausible to me. I would imagine some comic book fans will be frustrated by the fact that this film invents its own continuity, sometimes in direct opposition to the way things have been written or drawn before, but that'll always be the case. This is so smart and so densely entertaining that it seems preposterous to complain. I like the rules of this particular world. I believe in this Batsuit as something someone could wear that would allow them to kick ass while also protecting them and serving all sorts of practical functions. I believe in this Batmobile, and so will you after the incredible car chase scene that introduces the Tumbler to Gotham City, looking like something off a live news feed.
The score, an unusual collaboration by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, doesn't have a single theme as iconic as Elfman's 1989 score, but that's okay. It's excellent mood music, and there's a totally different character to each of the major settings. Just like the cinematography and design, this feels like a deliberate stylistic break from anything we've seen before in a Batman film. I don't know if I'd call this heroic music, per se, but it all feels right for this story. There are some tricky tonal shifts that Nolan has to negotiate here, thanks to the fact that he gives screen time to all three of the faces of Bruce Wayne: traumatized son who is desperate for something to heal him, costumed vigilante looking for justice as revenge, and irresponsible playboy asshole in public. Bale seems to have particular fun with that third version of Wayne, and it's nice that the film remembered to play with it. The film needs some humor from time to time because, as I said earlier, this film is scary, something I never would have expected from a Batman film. The first time he takes out a whole warehouse full of Falcone's goons, it's almost directed like a horror film with Batman as the monster, popping out of shadows and making people disappear. It makes it understandable later when The Scarecrow's goons are afraid to fight Batman, afraid of the rumors they've heard. Even more unsettlings are the visions people have when under the influence of the Scarecrow's gas. When Batman doses a corrupt cop and then interrogates him, we see Batman the way he does, as a screaming demon with ink black skin and a mouth full of fangs. When the whole city gets dosed later, we see Batman as a winged creature in the sky with glowing red eyes and mouth, a nightmare in flight, and people react in terror, exactly the way they should. It's trippy, and it's nothing you'd expect to see in a movie that's got toys lining the shelves of Target.
I also think this is the first Batman film with genuinely good action scenes. The fights in the film are photographed close, high-impact, the opposite of the wire-work we've seen in so many films in the last six years or so. Nolan goes out of his way to make sure Batman doesn't get off too easy. He makes him work for it every time, and Batman uses surprise and strategy to get the edge over his opponents since he's not gifted with super-strength. These fights are cut quick, but don't expect BOURNE SUPREMACY-style shaky cam. Nolan's confident with his visuals, and he makes each of the action scenes clear and easy to understand, even as he keeps things kinetic and edgy.
If you read the script that leaked online, then you know how they close this film, with a direct sting into the sequel, and it tore the roof off the theater on Thursday night. I think people would have sat through the second film right then if it had been available. Goyer and Nolan say they've got a trilogy in mind, and based on this as a starting point, I hope they get to work on that second film as soon as possible. They've done one hell of a job convincing me that BATMAN BEGINS, and now I'm dying to see how he continues.
It's been a rotten weekend for internet access at the Labs, but I should have things resolved sometime on Tuesday. When I'm back online, I'll be back with our new spy and his look inside X-MEN 3's turbulent production. You've no doubt seen by now that VARIETY confirmed out scoop about Brett Ratner. I can tell you that all of our script info you'll read this week is just as accurate. For now, though, I've got to go to work on this week's return of the DVD SHELF, complete with some DVD giveaways. Until then...
"Moriarty" out.
Readers Talkbackcomments powered by Disqus
+ Expand All
June 6, 2005, 10:30 a.m. CST
by Shigeru
June 6, 2005, 10:31 a.m. CST
Let's pray for watchmen...
by Sela5
And hope it gets this kinda cinematic treatment.. cause V of Vendetta ain't looking good though. Ah, the joys of the first...
June 6, 2005, 10:31 a.m. CST
and/or roll.
by Shigeru
Batman's hip to be square.
June 6, 2005, 10:31 a.m. CST
or second..
by Sela5
post that...
June 6, 2005, 10:34 a.m. CST
How much of the liquid excrement (alias "goyer's [anti]scrip
by SalvatoreGravano
Not much? Oh, mahr-vellllous.
June 6, 2005, 10:37 a.m. CST
Great Stuff Mori!! I can't wait
by Josef K
With your review and Ebert's **** "Best of 2005" review, this is shaping up to be THE Event film of the summer!!
June 6, 2005, 10:40 a.m. CST
Looks promising
by just_hamish
June 6, 2005, 10:48 a.m. CST
I KNEW IT! I KNEW the stoopid love story they shoehorned in wou
by Toxic Frog
DAMMIT! It's totally contrary to the character. Sounds pretty awesome, otherwise - I'm there opening day. But once I've seen it, I'm going to COMPLAIN ON THE INTERNET IN ALL CAPS about him revealing himself to his ladyfriend. You hear that, you internet, you? ALL CAPS, I SAY! STAND BACK!!!
June 6, 2005, 10:49 a.m. CST
Bout time
by beefywhore
13 years is too long to wait for a descent Batman flick
June 6, 2005, 10:50 a.m. CST
I may check this out in IMAX.
by Barry Egan
June 6, 2005, 10:51 a.m. CST
excellent excellent - kudos to WB for reenergizing BATMAN and SU
by Spacesheik
in a few years you went from being a punching bag of fanboys like myself to a studio that takes its superhero franchises seriously - we can all eat crow happily now. good job wb
June 6, 2005, 11:01 a.m. CST
The Batman: DC's resident badass.
by bryce
It's nice to hear that Bats is being portrayed as he should be: the kind of guy who elicits awe, respect, and fear among his colleagues in the Justice League. Bats is seen by Superman as an equal, and flat out scares people who have super strength and cosmic powers and all that jazz. It would be interesting to see a World
June 6, 2005, 11:16 a.m. CST
Get out your BatKleenexes and wipe up the mess.
by Masht
I hope it's all true - comic book movies with depth are definitely welcome.
June 6, 2005, 11:17 a.m. CST
by Darth Kong
What does THE CROW franchise have to do with anything?
June 6, 2005, 11:17 a.m. CST
Can't wait.
by Christopher3
Such a huge fan. I looked at the leaked script and it seems from the advanced reviews that not much of the substance was changed. I suspect Nolan's chronologically rearranged some of the material "Memento"-style. The thing that most worried me about Goyer's script is whether all the remote Asian prison/League of Shadows stuff (not to mention the hokey Liam Neeson Jedi-mentor dialogue) would come off as believable and gel with the later urban material. Looks like Nolan made it work.
June 6, 2005, 11:18 a.m. CST
Batman Baby
by Zool
Here's hoping the audience for smart Superhero films is sufficiently vocal in their praise of the new Bats. And that Paramount execs greenlight the edgier Watchmen as a result.
June 6, 2005, 11:20 a.m. CST
It's certainly beginning to look as if Marvel have finally r
by workshed
...they drop the ball on what could have easily been their biggest franchise, The INCREDIBLE Hulk and then proceed to make and distribute trash like Electra/Daredevil/Punisher. Avi Arad - following the debacle that is X3 - should go now before he flushes the whole enterprise down the toilet.
June 6, 2005, 11:21 a.m. CST
Good news
by D-Town
About time WB gets Batman right, even though they had to go with the love interest because of mass appeal. People that still find a way to complain about this are ridiculous little fanboys who have most likely never seen a naked woman......
June 6, 2005, 11:35 a.m. CST
Hearing about those scarecrow scenes etc really realy makes me w
by Johnno
Still 9 Days to go... But only 4 until Howl's Moving Castle Releases, maybe that'll keep me busy until Batman's theatrical run begins.
June 6, 2005, 11:45 a.m. CST
but does it come in black?
by Silver Shamrock
sure would like to see a good batman movie.
June 6, 2005, 11:49 a.m. CST
by Tal111
Oh, no wait.
June 6, 2005, 11:50 a.m. CST
Never doubted
by tjrmusic
I never doubted this film. Not since I heard who was directing (I remember feeling the same way when I found out who was directing the first X-men). I still don't like the direction they took with the look of the costume, but so what. The substance is what's important, not cosmetic choice. Up untill now the only good Batman movie was "Mask of the Phantasm" and "Sub Zero". Looks like that is all about to change. Looking forward to next week!
June 6, 2005, 11:55 a.m. CST
SPOILER WARNING, you fuck!
by I Speak Jive
Thanks for nothing, asswipe. It may surprise you, but I DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT RACHEL DAWES IN THE BATCAVE.
June 6, 2005, 11:57 a.m. CST
You can't trust Mori he likes everything. Including the horr
by IndustryKiller
He has like no sense of descretion. The wretched Episode 3? Brilliant! The pverrated Spider Man 2? A Masterpiece! Not only does he like these films, but he absolutely fuckingloves them. This review is moot. He was predetermined to like this film. There was no way it could have been bad enough for him to dislike it. No way. But then again from your comments I'm sure the same goes for a lot of you....sad.
June 6, 2005, 12:02 p.m. CST
Alright baby..all the reviews, except for Variety, are good...
by Lost Skeleton
Let's begin baby before my boy the big blue cheese returns next year! Ratner on X-men 3 sucks by the way. What the hell is Marvel doing? And what's up with Hulk 2?
June 6, 2005, 12:05 p.m. CST
thanx for writing real reviews moriaty
by josh_strapp
instead of waisting our time with the stuff you did before you saw the movie which harry does and i fucking hate. can't wait to see this movie. it was fun whiles at lasted marvel
June 6, 2005, 12:14 p.m. CST
by Mafu
Good review, Mori. Thanks.
June 6, 2005, 12:20 p.m. CST
Superstar Villains Are Over
by Jervis Tetch
I remember Warners back in 1989 having to hand over about 1/3 of the movie/merchandise profits on "Batman" to Jack Nicholson just to get him to play the Joker. Then, everybody wanted into the act: big stars like Jim Carrey and Schwarzenegger, plus Al Pacino doing the bad guy in "Dick Tracy," etc. Came "Spiderman," somebody figured it out: hire good inexpensive actors like Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina and hang onto those grosses w/o superstar participation. With "Batman Begins," Warners figures that one out, too. Cillian Murphy? Granted, Kevin Spacey's playing Lex Luthor in the new Supes, but given how his career tanked, I'll bet Spacey's a lot cheaper than Nicholson. Or Gene Hackman.
June 6, 2005, 12:25 p.m. CST
guys, don't make IndustryKiller sad
by aikimoe
Be sure to check with him to make sure the movie you like is also liked by him. Otherwise, he'll just sadly shake his head at your obviously inferior understanding of the medium.
June 6, 2005, 12:28 p.m. CST
He will be watching his Lars Von Trier collection
by JackRabbitSlim
Shaking his fist at the world "If it aint motherfuckin Dogme i dont wanna motherfuckin see it!"
June 6, 2005, 12:28 p.m. CST
Can't Wait
by Saluki
... Such a fan. Besides THE AWESOME twist it would have been if Katie Holmes had been the Talia character (uh, minus the childhood friend aspect), or replacing her with a Two-Face character (She isn't going to be Two-Face, is she? That would be TOO cruel to Bats), this movie is shaping up to be sexcellent. The movie has a theme, a very good one, it just isn't as memorable. Uhhh... I think that is the only downside I see so far. Everything else, even the Bank-Tank, is working like hell to please. We'll see where this Rachel Dawes character goes, as it sounds like she will be returning (expect some twists) so we aren't stuck with a new love interest EVERY movie this time around. Joker has been done, so Harley Quinn MUST be with him this next time around. See you all back here on the 15th, the day Batman Begins.
June 6, 2005, 12:33 p.m. CST
'tis true indeed...
by Quintus_Arrius
June 6, 2005, 12:33 p.m. CST
i'm full of glee...
by Quintus_Arrius
June 6, 2005, 12:35 p.m. CST
A question...
by Ribbons
Speaking of pressing the "Reset" button in vain, does Katie Holmes' character, y'know, eat it? 'Cause it would be an awful shame if someone was walking around Gotham and knew who Batman was all because of some luvvy-duvvy mush that doesn't even make sense in context.
June 6, 2005, 12:46 p.m. CST
by shutterghost
One of the thingss that got me really excited was Wantnabe playing the chief villain but i haven't heard a thing about him. I thought Scarecrow was going to be secondary to Ra's. No mention. What's up? Did he suck?
June 6, 2005, 12:48 p.m. CST
Ah, now I can rest easy...
by performingmonkey
It's crazy how I already feel I have something invested in this movie, even though I obviously don't. Anyway, I'm pleased that Mori likes it because it means that it'll be OK at least. I've had nightmares about seeing Batman Begins and walking out due to it being a horrible shitty mess. Thankfully that isn't the case (trust Mori) so now I can rest easy and go see this without fear, although fear seems to be a major part of the plot. The best news is about the Scarecrow, who I thought seemed lame at first. I like that they've gone full-on with the hallucinations/fear spray, as that is of course what makes the Scarecrow a good villain. If he'd been done under Schumacher he would have been a cackling weedy joke. Thank fuck for Nolan. And what a great cast Batman Begins has. Neeson on form? There's nothing stopping him.
June 6, 2005, 12:59 p.m. CST
Are you ready to begin?
by Psycho_Kenshin
Awesome review, Mori. Batman Begins will kick all of our asses with its brilliance. Gotttham must be destrrroyyeedd. :SPOILER: In case somebody doesn't know, Liam Neeson is Ras Al Ghul. :SPOILER:
June 6, 2005, 1:04 p.m. CST
FUCK YOU Batcave spoiler JERK
by all
June 6, 2005, 1:12 p.m. CST
by MasterWhedon
I saw this three days ago and it's still ringing loudly in my ears. (PS, thanks to all the folks who called me a plant in my review--made my day.) I'm telling you folks, even though there are a few moments that might deviate from how YOU would've done a Batman film, this one really excells in its intentions. Some, like Mori, will read the romance with Rachel as a little forced, but I bought it. Some of the moments between the two of them are cornerstones in Bruce's transition to becomming Batman. Katie Holmes might not be the BEST choice for the role, but she does a fine job. Only other thing I want to say, which I forgot in my review, is that the CG work in this film is astounding. The cityscapes are so photo-real yet so fantastical. You BELIEVE Gotham City exists. And see this mo-fo in IMAX, it's worth it.
June 6, 2005, 1:15 p.m. CST
by MasterWhedon
MILD SPOILER....In response to your question, the only thing Katie Holmes is "eating" these days would be a certain Oprah-guesting couch-jumper's whammy bone. And their resolution is handled nicely. Strings are left untied.
June 6, 2005, 1:16 p.m. CST
this movie is going to blow my cunt right off.
by andyrew
watched batman forever and batman and robin back to back last night....wow so many ice puns...anyway the only way is up!!!
June 6, 2005, 1:25 p.m. CST
Here's to hoping
by Chaka
Last summer I thought was kind of a dud for movies. With dreck like Van Hellsing, I was left with that "empty" feeling. I dug Star Wars, and if Batman is as good as said, and with War of the Worlds and even Willy Wonka, it could be a nice return to summer fun.
June 6, 2005, 1:32 p.m. CST
Seeing it opening night on IMAX
by andrew coleman
I really can't wait for this movie I'm tired of all the crap time for some good summer movies!
June 6, 2005, 1:43 p.m. CST
Wait wait wait...
by rev_skarekroe
Katie Holmes' character is a DISTRICT ATTORNEY? Dude, she's like 22!
June 6, 2005, 1:44 p.m. CST
Holmes was just playing a High School student...
by BigTuna
Now she's the fucking D.A?
June 6, 2005, 1:48 p.m. CST
She's an Assistant DA...
by MasterWhedon
...but yes.
June 6, 2005, 1:50 p.m. CST
Mori's reviews are too long.....
by Fart_Master_Flex
I mean....cut to the chase man.
June 6, 2005, 1:54 p.m. CST
repost from other thread..
by Thalya
I was at the same showing as these two reviewers (I didn't write up the movie because I had to get some sleep and was busy all yesterday), and I had to say their reviews are pretty much spot-on. The action and some of the dialogue was a little blurred and confusing, but it's forgiveable, especially since Bats is supposed to take out baddies like that. This movie is great, easily the movie of the summer. No camp whatsoever, refreshingly so. Christian Bale surprised me with his young Bruce Wayne/Batman. What I particularly loved is how everything builds piece by piece, working out growing pains along the way until at the very end all the pieces click into place (see the rooftop scene) and what you're left with is nothing but the iconography of Batman's world, only this time you get the substance underneath the style as well. With the foundation laid so well here, I can only dream of what they can accomplish with the next one; I imagine we might be seeing Harvey Dent, but that's just my take. // P.S. For where I stand on other movies, I happened to like RotS very much, but I think that's mainly due to the story itself and John Williams' score was doing serious heavy lifting to support alot of the other aspects. And I'm modestly hopeful about Fantastic Four being a fun time at the movies too. // And hey MasterWhedon, love your UserID, btw..
June 6, 2005, 2:12 p.m. CST
Why thank you, Thalya...
by MasterWhedon
...and good review. Were you at the IMAX screening at CityWalk?
June 6, 2005, 2:15 p.m. CST
Todd McCarthy's Variety review...
by FluffyUnbound
...makes it sound like Todd would consider Batman & Robin to be a great comic book film. B&R doesn't have any of the flaws Todd sees in this film, and has all the elements he seems to think this film doesn't have. I never thought I'd see anyone review a comic book film and complain that it was too dark and talky.
June 6, 2005, 2:29 p.m. CST
It's called a "SPOILER WARNING"
by The Heathen
It's something you type to be courteous to the readers before you give something away on probably the second most awaited movie of the summer. Buuuuttt anyway, the reviews sound great so far. Ebert & Roeper's has still got me excited. The footage of the Batmobile jumping the rooftops and sliding almost off the edge looked amazing! Hard to believe something so cool made it past the studio, "Yeah we're going to have the car jumping from rooftop to rooftop while being chased by the cops and blowing everything up - oh, and it's going to look real!" Can't wait to see Gordon and Batman talk near the signal. Been waiting for this, glad to hear it kicks ass and is scary.
June 6, 2005, 2:38 p.m. CST
"Spoiler Warnings"
by ripper t. jones
Look at the link you clicked for your "Spoiler Warning". Dumb fuckers.
June 6, 2005, 2:42 p.m. CST
Blade Runner as an influence? Fuck this film then . . .
by Harry Coin
Just Kidding! Actually, Batman looks good, even if it was influenced by the most over rated science fiction film of all time. In fact, I don't really want to talk about Batman, I just want to read the angry reactions of Scott apologists cause I am a dick. Flame away, fucktards.
June 6, 2005, 2:43 p.m. CST
BATMAN BEGINS will own EP3
by IAmLegolas
Search your feelings, you know it to be true.
June 6, 2005, 2:46 p.m. CST
by ripper t. jones
The most OVER FUCKING USED word on AICN! Get a new bitch.
June 6, 2005, 2:54 p.m. CST
Actually "FIRST" or "naysayer" is more over-used.
by The Heathen
Yeah we clicked the link with the super small vertically read spoiler, but would it have been so hard to have typed it when the rest of the review was so spoiler light. Besides, he did make it quite obvious in his ROTS review. You are my new one by the way. : )
June 6, 2005, 3 p.m. CST
YES. Y-E-S. YEEEESSSS! THX, Mori. and another one: http://www.bu
by CurryIce
June 6, 2005, 3:02 p.m. CST
Ahhhhhh!!!!!! as of 6-6-05, the next few days are going to be th
by IamNumber1
Firstly because I have to wait 8 whole days for batman begins, secondly because I'm still afraid that it might not hold up. I've been psyched up for movies before, I've seen good trailers for them before, and I've seen great reviews for them before, but come opening night, the movie is a big disappointment. I'm not predetermined to hate this movie, but I've seen so many crappy movies come out in the last couple of years that I'm tired of the hype that leads to disappointment. You remember watching a movie you loved over and over again when you were like six, and after you haven't seen the movie for like 12 years or so, you watch it again, and not only is it nostalgic, but it's still a great movie that hits you on so many more levels now that you're older? For me, those movies were Superman, Rocky, Alien, and everything from Bruce Lee (off the top of my head). Those were good movies, and it's not just cause you were a kid who watched anything, and not just cause you're a die hard fan, but because they were honestly great films. That's the kind of movie I want in theaters again, and here's hoping that Batman is a film that needs no justification.
June 6, 2005, 3:03 p.m. CST
Okay, you are my new bitch, Ripper T. Jones
by Harry Coin
Now put on these fuck-me-pumps and fishnet stockings so I can treat you like my Ho. And next time I want your opinion, I'll give it to you (sound of Ripper T. Jones being bitch slap with my gold and diamond PIMP ring);)
June 6, 2005, 3:05 p.m. CST
Don't excuse the "spoiler warning" on the homepage as being
by iamnicksaicnsn
That's bullshit and you know it. Especially since his review goes from just explaining his joy to a gigantic fucking spoiler in less than a fucking sentence. I also did not want to know *spoiler* she gets into the fucking batcave *end spoiler*.
June 6, 2005, 3:11 p.m. CST
my preparations for this film...
by IamNumber1
OK! I've devised a plan to get in the perfect frame of mind for Batman begins: First, I'm gonna watch the crow. Then, I'm watching Blade Runner (let that cinematography sink in man). Finally I'm watching the original Batman with Michael Keaton. Then I'm doing some pushups to get pumped, and it's the midnight showing of Batman Begins on Tuesday night. BRING IT ON!!!
June 6, 2005, 4:05 p.m. CST
Not to be a prude or anything but...
by Garbageman33
Is anyone else disturbed by the animation of Harry violating himself with a crucifix? Yes, I know this isn't necessarily the place to discuss such a thing. But last I checked, there were no "Harry Violates Himself with a Crucifix" talkbacks. Anyway, I know it's an homage to the Exorcist, but when it happened in the movie, it had a context. You knew she was possessed by the devil. Here, it's just, well, it's kinda sick. I'm not even a religious person, but if you happen to log on and see a close-up of a hand clutching a bloody crucifix, what are you supposed to think? I'm sure Harry has already proudly shown it to his nephew, but that doesn't make it any less disturbing. Flame me if you think I'm wrong.
June 6, 2005, 4:05 p.m. CST
Kiss my browneye, ripper t. jones
by I Speak Jive
Oh, excuse me for not realizing that the 3-point vertical type next to the link meant that a massive spoiler would be right in the middle of the review with NO WARNING. Cunt.
June 6, 2005, 4:10 p.m. CST
Spoiler Warning Would Help
by Saluki
Came to here from a direct link, not the main page. The spoiler should be marked.
June 6, 2005, 4:13 p.m. CST
By the way...
by Saluki
... The Harry animation HAS context. It's a parody. A violent one, like many of the animations. If you don't know of THAT scene, then you shouldn't be reading a movie site, you should be watching more movies.
June 6, 2005, 4:17 p.m. CST
by Garbageman33
I AM familiar with the scene. I even mentioned it in my post. I just don't think it's appropriate. Or funny. Or ironic. What's next? Harry re-enacting the 9 1/2 minute anal rape scene from Irreversible? That'd be hilarious, huh?!
June 6, 2005, 4:36 p.m. CST
Master Whedon
by Ribbons
"Whammy bone." Hehe. Oh well.
June 6, 2005, 4:37 p.m. CST
Re: MasterWhedon
by Thalya
CityWalk? Er..? If by that you mean the Wizard World screening at the King of Prussia theater, then yes. // And to whet appetites of those who might be wondering: Blade Runner ref = The Narrows.
June 6, 2005, 4:39 p.m. CST
Fantastic review Moriarty, BUT
by Trancer
maybe not so many spoilers next time? Still, 'preciate the depth. Keep up the good work.
June 6, 2005, 4:48 p.m. CST
by MasterWhedon
Yeah, nope. I was at one in LA (though I did catch Wizard World when it was out here--much fun). Anyway, glad to see others are sharing in the goodness.
June 6, 2005, 4:52 p.m. CST
Mori, what's up with Watanbe?
by Terry_1978
No mention of his R'as Al Ghul at all...was it that bad? Or what?
June 6, 2005, 4:58 p.m. CST
"...directed like a horror movie, with Batman as the monster..."
by zer0cool2k2
That's exactly as it should be. He should strike quickly out of the shadows and disappear, not whip out his Bat credit card when things get dicey. The one thing that kept me from totally embracing the burton film was that fantastical world aspect of it, which it sounds like has been done away with this time. I've got high hopes for this one. And I must agree, anyone who finds out Batman's secret identity should die horribly before the end of the film.
June 6, 2005, 5:06 p.m. CST
Ohhh god the Batman credit card!
by Gheorghe Zamfir
I had totally forgotten about that zer0, repressed memories I guess. Its hard to believe Batman and Robin really was THAT bad.
June 6, 2005, 5:07 p.m. CST
by angrykirby.tk
letrs have batman fight pirates and boogey it will be hallariouse
June 6, 2005, 5:07 p.m. CST
"SPOILER" ripper t. jones is
by The Heathen
getting ripped a new one. He should be an "apologist" for being such a dip. On another note, the animation I see is of Harry as Dracula - not the Exorcist parody anymore. Thank god btw, I got real embarassed when showing someone at work an article and they point at Harry ramming a bloody crucifix into you know where and ask wtf is that? Uncomfortable is what it was. But it's gone, so I just want to say I can't wait for Batman Begins now. The hype has finally hit me. Can't wait, think I'll see it on normal screen first, then drive to Tampa for a weekend getaway and see it on IMAX.
June 6, 2005, 5:11 p.m. CST
by Thalya
Yep, Watanabe's Ras Al Ghul was bad. *evil giggle*
June 6, 2005, 5:11 p.m. CST
Hulk was the best comic movie to date
by zekmoe
After repeated viewings of all the movies that have come out, the Hulk stands up the best. Truly captures the hulk comic essence, while adding to a story line and bringing it up to date. I've seen every cominc movie at least 10 times, on a great calibrated set with a pretty good sound system, and the hulk is the one to beat in my opinion. I'm looking forward to this batman!
June 6, 2005, 5:12 p.m. CST
Heh, I didn't know Gordons first name is Jim....
by Archduke_Chocula
You learn something new every day :)
June 6, 2005, 5:16 p.m. CST
by Thalya
Lucky you. LA's always going to be a good show because the biz is right there. Philly's just really weak by comparison, though it is nice, it seems, that wherever DC's doing something, they go all out for the fans. I thought I was such a Marvel-ite, but more and more it seems DC owns my soul.
June 6, 2005, 5:22 p.m. CST
Will this film make more $ than ROTS?
by DARTH VOODOO
It seems ROTS is losing a little steam at this point (it's still a huge blockbuster)From estimates I've been reading ROTS will finish somewhere between $380-$400. Can Batman beat Star Wars at the box office?
June 6, 2005, 5:23 p.m. CST
Commissioner Gordon Has A Beer And Cheats On His Wife
by godoffireinhell
Someone had to say it, just to bring us full circle. From Aronofsky's aborted BATMAN: YEAR ONE to Nolan's BATMAN BEGINS. It's been an interesting journey.
June 6, 2005, 5:28 p.m. CST
Batman probably won't make more money than ROTS
by Gheorghe Zamfir
But big deal, general audience has gotten far too enamored with box office detailings, it'll probably make enough money to justify a sequel, past that, what do we care? Let's worry about the movie, let the studios worry about the money.
June 6, 2005, 5:50 p.m. CST
by Mark Twain
Ah . . . those were the days.
June 6, 2005, 6:04 p.m. CST
Batman credit card? Fuck that!
by Johnno
What I want to know is whether that Batmobile is equipped with OnStar?
June 6, 2005, 6:09 p.m. CST
Katie Holms is a piece of digital art
by karmicnic
It's the only way to explain how she "appeared" in the last few movies she's been in, take Phone Booth as a shining example. And in the Batman trailers she's the only one that really seems out of place. BTW she's like 28. So she could be DA if pigs flew and all the lawyers in Gotham died in a freak explosion.
June 6, 2005, 6:09 p.m. CST
seeing this tomrrow... can't wait. And Goyer's Script R
by Russman
I don't think this will do $300MM, mostly because there's a lot of talking and I can see most of the kids and numbskulls in the flyover states getting bored and complaining that there isn't enough action.
June 6, 2005, 6:19 p.m. CST
My God...
by Thayden Ozma
...Batman is so fucking cool. You all know it. Hell, Batman knows your Mom.-Az
June 6, 2005, 6:29 p.m. CST
Mark Twain you fucking idiot
by Prophet Jeremiah
Forgive me Mr. Twain, I just had to see that phrase posted again. It brought even more tears to my eyes than the classic Batman: Year One fake review. You are in my AICN Top Ten for sure, but I think "Gordon has a beer and cheets on his wife," just edges you out because of the higher body count. You effectively killed that V talkback, cause bro, ain't no one gonna wade into that minefield you've sown. If you make the bumper sticker, I'll buy one.
June 6, 2005, 6:33 p.m. CST
the trilogy will go down like this...
by tango fett
I got this from Premiere magazine, so here we go: Joker is in Batman 2, doesn't die though, he just gets arrested. Harvey Dent is introduced. Joker is on trial and sprays acid on Dent. Two Face in Batman 3. Whoo.
June 6, 2005, 6:35 p.m. CST
moviemack is dead
by adambalm
Long live moviemack. He will be remembered for years to-wait, what was I saying?
June 6, 2005, 6:40 p.m. CST
The Zeitgeist Is Finally Interesting Again...
by ZombieSolutions
that's the ironic thing about bad times. bad times = good films. in a way, we all might owe Darth Cheney and his Imperial American Corporate Hegemony's drunken abuse of power some degree of thanks -- leading us all down the SITHslide to hell helped make STAR WARS and BATMAN cool again! thank you brutal christian oil billionaires! thank you one and all!
June 6, 2005, 6:44 p.m. CST
What About Bruce's "Ward" Dick?
by ZombieSolutions
BATMAN is so full-on ragingly butch gay I can hardly stand it.
June 6, 2005, 6:48 p.m. CST
IamNumber1 has a hell of a point
by Thayden Ozma
There are those films out there that defy fandom, hype and nitpicking. When you mentioned Rocky and Alien it connected for me. When I first heard about Begins I was shocked that the franchise was back on it's feet so quickly after events that don't need further exposition in the late 90's. Following the announcement it seemed that every new detail about this movie put a smile on my face, I was certain it would be the Batman film I'd always wanted to extract from my comic collection. But then after seeing the previews I didn't know what to think. Everything looks A-OK, but nothing looked like it was going give me a good rogerin' in the theater either. It was at that moment that I resigned to the fact that Batman Begins might be the film that tries so hard to be the Bat-film I've always wanted and at the same time it would fail. But just now I realized what's confusing me about the film and it's imagery. Batman Begins doesn't look like a new movie. It looks like a film that was made shortly after Burton's Batman, or around the time of Proyas' The Crow. This strangely new but timeless look to the film is what really intrigues the fuck out of me. And then I'm reminded of the intimate pacing of movies like Alien and how a 2 minute preview can't even being to convey what you're in for once your butt is in that seat ready for the whole show. Potential INSTANT CLASSIC! Sorry for the double-post. Not really. -Az
June 6, 2005, 6:55 p.m. CST
Someone say zeitgeist?
by VastEjaculations
Nice one, ZomebieSolutions. I wouldn't have thought an intelligent talkback post possible anymore. Usually people just scream and shout and call each other "fag". I didn't think there were others out there that had the ability to gauge the 'feeling' of the times based on popular art, as I do. For example, in my view, Fight Club was a response to the Clinton-era Golden Economy and also a silent "masculinity crisis" that has been brewing for some time (which I also believe was directly responsible for Mr. Bush's re-election, because even though it sounds like a terrible joke, Bush truly is more masculine than Kerry, at least superficially)
June 6, 2005, 7:03 p.m. CST
Hulk hogan as The riddler in Batman: Beginnings
by zer0cool2k2
Riddle me this, Brother.
June 6, 2005, 7:06 p.m. CST
King Kong-trailer date is announced!!!
by Koola_Norway
Ok, this is great great news. Kongisking.net reports that the King Kong-trailer is going to be put before every copy of War of the Worlds 29th of june. Cruise/Martians/Spielberg is no longer the main attraction of the evening in late june. It is a giant ape!!!
June 6, 2005, 7:31 p.m. CST
by Ribbons
I have a feeling that this is the same Batman film we'd be seeing if 9/11 hadn't happened. So long as Goyer wrote and Nolan directed, of course. Same applies to Episode III. Well, maybe a little less Episode III. But it'd be pretty much the same, methinks. People have always been in love with things that scare them. This is just one high-profile coincidence.
June 6, 2005, 7:57 p.m. CST
by Ribbons
...why is RabbiSodomy still here?
June 6, 2005, 7:57 p.m. CST
Kaite Holmes is like 26 but she plays a character in her early 3
by Oski
June 6, 2005, 8:14 p.m. CST
by adambalm
Because you're still giving him attention.
June 6, 2005, 8:18 p.m. CST
I didn't mean it that way
by Ribbons
I meant...he's clearly trolling, and he's been doing it for like a week, and it's been racist and homophobic, and no one of any power seems to have notices.
June 6, 2005, 8:21 p.m. CST
Good point
by adambalm
Usually Moriarty will only ban someone if they question him in any way, but I dunno why no one else has taken notice..
June 6, 2005, 8:27 p.m. CST
"I expected that BATMAN BEGINS was going to be an imitation of a
by Commando Cody
Nice review, but talk about an utterly kiss-up to Marvel and utterly HYPOCRITICAL comment to stick into the review just the same. "Shameless logo at the front"? Excuse me, but doesn't Marvel open their films the EXACT SAME way? So what's wrong with DC wanting to stamp a sort of corporate brand name identity onto their product line as well? So what are you saying, Mori, it's FINE for Marvel to add THEIR corporate logo into the front credits of their movies alongside Sony Pictures...that's somehow NOT "shameless"...yet it's WRONG and IS "shameless" for DC to do the exact same thing with Warners? Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth.
June 6, 2005, 8:37 p.m. CST
I think what Mori was saying
by Gheorghe Zamfir
Was that the DC logo at the front of the film is a shamless imitation of the Marvel logo, which, for anyone who's seen it, it really is.
June 6, 2005, 8:42 p.m. CST
Elijah Wont: "Now (Morgan Freeman) is saying that he is followin
by Commando Cody
I saw that news bit where Freeman was quoted as saying he BATMAN for the big payday (and potential royalty checks) and that he compared it to the choice Alec Guiness made to do STAR WARS. Well, there are 2 crocks about that. First off, when Guiness chose to do STAR WARS it really was more of an actor's gamble since that was BEFORE the so-called "blockbuster summer era" really existed (which STAR WARS ushered in). So in comparison to the choice Guiness had to make at the time, Freeman really is far more fully aware of what a "summer movie" is going to be like and far more importantly, what it's likely to pay out like long term. Secondly, While I don't mind him being honest about his career choices, what I find truly, truly laughable about his statement was the way he made it sound as if BATMAN BEGINS was the FIRST time he's ever made such a choice (ie. "I'll do it for the paycheck"). I mean, come on, what is he saying? That he chose to do DEEP IMPACT, KISS THE GIRLS, SUM OF ALL FEARS and BRUCE ALMIGHTY because they were such "artistic acting challenges and statements"?
June 6, 2005, 8:52 p.m. CST
In defense of Mori that could be, Gheorghe. We'll have to al
by Commando Cody
To be honest, NOT having seen the movie yet, if they show the new DC logo that the company just unveiled and IF it has some sort of visual effect going on within its borders -- such as rapid "comic panel art" flying by -- then, yeah, I'd agree that would be a lame rip-off of the Marvel movie logo. In that instance I would have thought that DC and Warners would have come up with something more original that they could call their own. But if he just means that DC insisted on putting their company logo there to identify to the public that DC Comics IS an actual company (granted it's owned by parent company Warners, but it is its own entity) then I think that's lame for Mori to single out. As I said before, I can't see how it's "shameless" for DC to try and create a brand name identity for themselves when Marvel does the exact same thing.
June 6, 2005, 9:05 p.m. CST
sweet jesus
by blackthought
my favorite superhero finally on the screen in worthy way....oh i cannot wait anymore. now if hp4, serenity and king kong deliver like i want them to then i have more properties to help me forget that ratner is directing x3. *****SPOILERS!!!!!!SPOILAGE*****...BATMAN AND BRUCE WAYNE ARE ONE IN THE SAME....I.E. THE SAME PERSON!!!!!!......i kid you not.**********SPOILAGE-OVER************
June 6, 2005, 9:15 p.m. CST
Oldman as Gordon
by The Pusher
This could potentially be really cool. God Bless Pat Hingle, but his Commissioner Gordon always felt like a prop. Can't wait for this one.
June 6, 2005, 9:24 p.m. CST
by Knucklehead
June 6, 2005, 9:40 p.m. CST
"IF it has some sort of visual effect going on within its border
by adambalm
It does. I saw it on the footage that aired during Smallville. It's basically comic art rotating in and out of the big three (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman). Very, very similar. The first thing I thought was 'OMGz waht a f-ing(!!!) rip off of teh Marvel' but as time passed I kind of really didn't care. The two have always ripped eachother off.
June 6, 2005, 9:53 p.m. CST
yeah... Man-Thing came first though
by BurlIvesLeftNut
so fuck you Swampthing lovers.
June 6, 2005, 10 p.m. CST
Just saw a preview screening...
by TopJack
...and it's that good. Tremendous. In lesser hands than Nolan's it wouldn't have been. He's the true star here and hopefully he's recognized for that. The best comparison I can make is the feel and tone is very Indiana Jones only more serious.
June 6, 2005, 10:13 p.m. CST
"Spoiler Bitches"
by ripper t. jones
If you dolts don't know what the word "spoiler" means on a link, well, I can't wait for Natural Selection to claim your sorry asses. Jack-offs!
June 6, 2005, 10:22 p.m. CST
"One of the other things I love is the way all of Batman
by kintar0
Which is what makes this film look lame to me. Same problem with the script. Nolan's preoccupation with "realism" could make this film worse than Hulk. I'm there on opening day, but I'm not expecting a whole lot.
June 6, 2005, 10:34 p.m. CST
mrs. miracle
by whatyoufear
get your head out your ass, boy!!
June 6, 2005, 10:59 p.m. CST
Morgan Freeman is gonna' be sooooo rich
by zer0cool2k2
Every kid in America is going to want a Lucius fox action figure this summer.
I just saw it in Atlanta. The last one was better.
June 6, 2005, 11:52 p.m. CST
Don't believe the hype, whatyoufear...
by kintar0
you fucking hype-loving monkey. Keep loving that hype. What, me make up my own mind for my own self? Durrrrrrrrrrrrr
June 6, 2005, 11:56 p.m. CST
Moviemack has a beer and cheats on his wife...
by kdog69
and Mr. Miracle needs to yank his head out of his ass before he runs out of air. Bitch Bitch Bitch. It's getting old now especially when the movie kicks ass.
June 7, 2005, 12:08 a.m. CST
to paraphrase kdog69's retarded ass:
by kintar0
"U haven't even scene the moovey! how cn u have a opnion! make ur own moovey!" "The movie kicks ass," huh? And you've seen it? Your opinion in based on someone else's opinion? You're another moronic hype-loving monkey. Congrats.
June 7, 2005, 12:13 a.m. CST
And you didn't even type the "has a beer and cheets on his w
by kintar0
AND you used the same insult a guy used not THREE posts before yours. You're a troll, idiot, and I guess I fell for it. Keep on getting all your opinions from other people. Hope that works out for you.
June 7, 2005, 12:17 a.m. CST
Salsashark1 are you trolling or serious?
by Anla'shok
I assume by "last one" you mean Batman and Robin. If your serious, spill the beans man!
June 7, 2005, 12:18 a.m. CST
Hype? What Hype?
by JUSTICE41
As a Batman fan all I needed to know was that they are making a new Batflick. Throw in a sensible director, a halfway decent writer and good leading man and voila', you have me standing in line buying tickets. Hype is for lemmings who have no mind of their own who only follow the herd. I trust no ones' judgement but my own. I gave both of the last Bat Directors one chance to impress me and they both failed so I never saw the second attempt. Fool me once. Now if this Nolan guy can pull it off then I'll be there for his second attempt. If not Just gotta wait for a nother.
June 7, 2005, 12:41 a.m. CST
Hardcoren*gger, I hope for your sake that Rabbisodomy/ForeverTJ/
by krullboy
or there will be "civil war with no end" on this AICN TB.
June 7, 2005, 12:48 a.m. CST
Hardcorenigger is rabisodomy, geniuses
by adambalm
God, if not simply annoying, he's also transparent.
Anla'shok, Not serious and yet not trollin' either. I prefer to think of it as being extremely sarcastic. Anyways, I did see it in Atlanta tonight. I did really really dig it. Except for the look of the "batmobile" I have basically no criticism of the movie. Best Batman film ever!
June 7, 2005, 1:37 a.m. CST
RE: "I will stand up for my race of people and make my pride be
by krullboy
Kind of like Adolf Hitler, huh.
June 7, 2005, 1:38 a.m. CST
But will there be neon and Bat-ass shots?
by Heckles
Go to hell Joel Schumacher.
June 7, 2005, 1:50 a.m. CST
The logo thing is like......
by JUSTICE41
All the Cable and Sat news channels all trying to copy Fox after Fox whupped em in ratings. If DC was going to copy the opening sequence off of Marvels movies, I at least hope they have better comic art than the crap they used for that preview on Smallville. The artwork looked like ass. Plus doing the logo like Marvel just makes em look like johny come latelies and unoriginal. What they should have done was use the Batman Animated cartoon opening sequence or at least THAT artwork instead of the tripe they did use.
June 7, 2005, 1:53 a.m. CST
In other news...Paramount pulls the plug on Watchmen...
by Dr_Boll
This site needs to update faster
June 7, 2005, 2:38 a.m. CST
"Directed as a horror movie" Sam Raimi should do that too but...
by chien_sale
...for Hulk!
June 7, 2005, 2:54 a.m. CST
Katie Holmes is 26 going on 27.
by The Founder
June 7, 2005, 3:40 a.m. CST
Not as good as Batman Forever...
by DannyParker
..although it is marginally better than those fucking awful Tim Burton films.Bale's ok as Batman but he isn't a patch on kilmer.If you want to see a half decent Batman flick this year, wait until the extended 'director's edition' of Forever is released.
June 7, 2005, 3:44 a.m. CST
U2 and Batman Forever
by krullboy
gotta hand it to the Batman Forever soundtrack (not score). The Seal song was good, and the U2 song "Hold me, Kiss me, Thrill me, Kill me" kicked ass, and still kicks ass to this day. Not to go off thread, but U2 kicks ass, by far the most relevant and best band in the world.
June 7, 2005, 3:49 a.m. CST
You're kidding about U2, right?
by kintar0
Because U2 is the biggest douche band in the entire universe. The Edge? Give me a motherfucking break. Their music is the worst cheesy pap I've ever heard. They suck worse than the Osmonds. They're worse than any of the buttrock that will be on the Batman Begins soundtrack.
June 7, 2005, 4:03 a.m. CST
I'm assuming danny boy is being sarcastic, cause batman fore
by IamNumber1
I mean almost. I can stomach it if there's nothing else on basic cable and I can't sleep at 2 in the morning. Can't say the same about batman and robin though. It was on TBS once at like 1:30 and I began to pray for a coma...and the remote
June 7, 2005, 4:06 a.m. CST
Mr Miracle...
by IamNumber1
As batman songs, u2 and seal sucked. But as songs in general I think they're alright. Anyways, I wonder where moviemack is. Either he's on vacation or he ran out of quick retorts.
June 7, 2005, 4:21 a.m. CST
the leaked script is the real script
by buckaroo_banzai
and good ol' Mori confirms it in and with this review.
June 7, 2005, 4:36 a.m. CST
by Dolmes
ahoy there!
June 7, 2005, 5:14 a.m. CST
Mr Miracle
by Darth Kong
U2 are without a doubt, the biggest and *best* rock band in the world right now. The do what they do, and they do it well. They also do it with a certain degree of humility (well, as much as one can hope to expect from a band of their stature). Compared to prats like OASIS and even COLDPLAY, Bono and the lads are gods. Anyway, when did this become a music TB? lol
June 7, 2005, 7:39 a.m. CST
I agree with Moriarty's comment about Rachel...
by reignman79
"If Dawes the district attorney had been replaced with Harvey Dent and the film had foregone the love interest altogether, I would have no complaints at all." You and me both buddy. In fact, that would've been damn near perfect and set up two-face for BB 2 and The Joker for BB 3, as it should be.
June 7, 2005, 8:59 a.m. CST
Hey, if you're sitting in front of me during this film, plea
by www.valiens.com
I'll probably be whacking it. If I eat any soy products before hand and it's stadium seating...just know that I'm not accidentally spilling Coke in your hair.
June 7, 2005, 10:19 a.m. CST
As much as I worry...
by Childe Roland
...about Mr. Miracle's musical tastes (and, therefore, artistic tastes in general) after his just plain silly U2 rant (sure, they've done some worthless stuff during their LONG careers, but that group of guys has also turned out some of the best songs made in the last 20 years), I have to give him credit for being here in the talkback and maintaining that he will see the movie before he passes judgment. I'm not confident that he'll be objective (he seems as predetermined to hate this movie as some say Mori was to like it), but at least he's going to give it a shot. The moviemack, on the other hand, will wait until he's read enough "except for"s in the otherwise glowing reviews we've been seeing so far and then list them all in a single post as his overwhelming evidence that the film does, indeed, suck as he predicted it would and we all need to feel ashamed for being even remotely optimistic. I'll put money on this likelihood now. As for the movie, I will also put money on the likelihood of it being pretty darned good. $8 for a ticket. $16 if I can convince the wife to come with. And, based on everything we've heard so far, I'm pretty sure I won't regret it.
June 7, 2005, 12:32 p.m. CST
Can't really argue with the two thumbs way up
by Doc_Strange
One of the best movies of the year, now I gotta see this thing.
June 7, 2005, 1:08 p.m. CST
by MattCG
can't wait.
June 7, 2005, 1:17 p.m. CST
i'm drooling
by blackthought
in anticipation.......so close.
June 7, 2005, 2:09 p.m. CST
We're seriously going to have the U2 debate?
by MasterWhedon
Come on now. Even if they're not your taste, Mr. Miracle, can you at least admit that they're probably THE most influential band of the '80s, along with REM? Because it's the truth. Ask around. And the fact that Bono is such the humanatarian gives him all sorts of cred in my book. As for Batman... KEEP HOPE ALIVE, FOLKS!! IT IS THAT GOOD!! You might think this is all hype, but I'm telling you the God's honest truth, I have NEVER been so satisfied with a Batman movie. YOU WILL BE TOO.
June 7, 2005, 2:11 p.m. CST
And where, o-where has my moviemack gone?
by MasterWhedon
June 7, 2005, 3:49 p.m. CST
How Gay is the New Yorker?
by Anino
Now, I haven't seen this movie yet, so I shouldn't speak. But the Tomato-meter on Rotten Tomatoes for "Batman Begins" is going down, with the help of the snooty critics of mags like the New Yorker and Variety. Everyone's entitled to their opinion--but if you read how the New Yorker critic skewers it, you know he, or she, really misses the point...saying Tim Burton got it right with the flashy imagery...anyway... I have an axe to grind--I just think the New Yorker is gay. Who's with me?
June 7, 2005, 4:12 p.m. CST
"U2 are without a doubt, the biggest and *best* rock band in the
by Tinfang
Yeah, maybe in sales but from an instrumentalist point of view, they aren't much better than your average punk garage band. B-O-R-I-N-G! Average drummer, sub-par bassist and the guitar player does nothing more than standing in the shadow of Andy Summer's exquiste rhythm playing (evidently, Slash studied at the Anti-lead Guitar Method School as taught by Pete Townsend). Bono has a good voice and his lyrics are top notch but U2 is a very, very boring instrumental band, even more boring that Bruce Springsteen's band! Oh yeah, can't wait to see this movie as CB is a living God and maybe they got this one right!
June 7, 2005, 4:27 p.m. CST
"Darth Vader, it seems Paramount's pulled the plug on 'W
by Ribbons
June 7, 2005, 4:37 p.m. CST
the watchmen
by blackthought
that news from early today sucks ass......here's hoping another studio has the balls to pick this bad boy up and give us a damn fine flick. now that greengrass is seemingly free, might as well get him to direct x3..........errrr........you mean its too late? oh ratner.....i thought i cleaned that wound already......sighs......but batman is my fav character so and this sounds fantastic.
June 7, 2005, 6:48 p.m. CST
Without Equilibrium, Bale would've been an afterthought.
by Yellow Belly
It's funny how nobody ever mentions "Equilibrium" when strumming through Christian Bale's previous movie roles. Sure, it didn't have a wide release, borrowed heavily from previous films, etc. But love it or hate it, you know it was that movie which got his name mentioned to play Batman in the first place. He WAS The Dark Knight in Equilibrium. You just knew watching it, amidst rumors of a new Batman movie on the horizon, that Bale not only had the ability, but the look of a new 'Bats. And not suprisingly, he was who they went with.
June 7, 2005, 7:06 p.m. CST
yellow belly
by whatyoufear
whatever man i think they were inspired by his role in empire of the sun.. or newsies perhaps
June 7, 2005, 7:07 p.m. CST
ms. miracle
by whatyoufear
you and moviemack should get a hotel room.. i'll book your reservation (for the honeymoon suite) on june 15th
June 7, 2005, 9:43 p.m. CST
by Ribbons
Definitely Newsies.
June 7, 2005, 11:16 p.m. CST
by RetroActive
And what does squeezing a twat accomplish? Not nearly as much as telling them to jam something up...wait a second. I just realized I've been sucked in to the silly post-it zone! Lighten up, kids. Let's just enjoy the movie talk instead of the inane call-outs and unrelated subjects...kind of like this one. Do as I say, not as I do right?!!
June 8, 2005, 2:07 a.m. CST
My two cents...
by Supermonkey321
I know i am gonna LOVE this movies cuz it seems to get a lot right, but thats why the few things that are wrong with it are gonna really bug me a lot more than a movie i don't care for at all. I know i will miss the whole Talia and Lazarus Pit aspects to the Ra's character. I'm also not crazy about the Batsuit, though it is defintely an improvement from the nippled version. I knew the second i learned about the whole love interest/katie holmes subplot that it would feel out of place and forced. I mean, come on, it took Batman how many years of being in love with Selina Kyle (Catwoman, for the ignorant) to reveal his identity to her in last year's amazing Jeph Loeb run? Other than that, most of my concerns that i know about before seeing the movie are miniscule, except one, which my next post will be devoted too...
June 8, 2005, 2:24 a.m. CST
Did EVERYONE forget that Batman is a detective!?!?
by Supermonkey321
I mean, not to split any hairs, but he is supposed to be THE WORLD'S GREATEST DETECTIVE!!! It's what defines the character in the comic! The name of his longest running comic title is called Detective Comics! It is the title he premeired in and the comic from which the "DC" in DC Comics gets its name! On top of that, he is a scientist and a freakin genius! And yet, not a single film version of the character has addressed these aspects of the character. One of the things that sets him apart from every other DC hero besides the fact that he has no powers and is still the biggest badass in the universe is the fact that he is a genius! Everyone in DC with a secret they hide fears that Batman will discover it. He's also the one character that can beat any ANYONE u pit him against because he will out-smart, out-strategize, and out-fight them... i mean, not to sound like one of those bitchy comic fans who can never be pleased, but is it too much to ask for a Batman movie to portray the most important aspect of the character?... but, as i said in my last post, i expect to love this movie nonetheless... it would just be nice if i got to see Batman actually being the world's greatest detective in one of the movies... p.s. there would have been great potential to make a great Batman detective story with the Riddler as the villain,if they hadn't turned him into a poor, somewhat gay, clone of the joker in that abortion of a movie called Batman Forever. Supermonkey out.
June 8, 2005, 2:29 a.m. CST
"The Animated Series" will always be the definitive Batman for m
by Mr. Anderson
No matter how good this movie is, it still won't top the sheer awesome-ness of that cartoon. Sure, I love "Dark Knight Returns" and "Long Halloween" and "Hush", but whenever I think of Batman I think of the Danny Elfman theme (the only good thing to come out of the Burton movies) playing over those still-badass-even-thirteen-years-later title-less opening titles. Also, the person who gave props to the "Batman Forever" soundtrack was right on. Terrible movie, but the soundtrack has U2, Massive Attack, The Flaming Lips, Mazzy Star, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, and, um, Brandy.
June 8, 2005, 4:44 a.m. CST
moviemack and mr. miracle are funny...
by kdog69
always good for a laugh.
June 8, 2005, 5:10 a.m. CST
Gee Supermonkey321...
by Anla'shok
that character you described sounds pretty fascinating, but my poppa said I should keep my feet planted firmly on the ground. He said those silly superhero comics will turn your brain to mush. Lo and behold I was shocked when we were watching a trailer for Batman Begins and he said "Hey, now this looks good, nice and realistic, just what you need boy." I said, "But Dad, that's Batman, he's a superhero, you hate superheroes!" He turned and looked at me like I was covered in stupid, then said. " Boy, that's not no damn Batman, That's a man in a militarized battle suit with antennae, that's a world a difference, son."
June 8, 2005, 10:04 a.m. CST
batman animated series
by blackthought
easily the best batman adaptation period. agree with you there mr. anderson. this movie sounds sensational though, can't wait.
June 9, 2005, 12:06 a.m. CST
Mask ON
by Kelibath
A love interest makes sense for the Bruce Wayne persona. However.. there is no way he should be *hinting* at his secret identity, let alone allowing an inconsequential character into the Batcave! If anything, we should be shown how his choices *prevent* an honest relationship. And no, I haven't seen it, so please don't flame me :) I'll be heading to the iMax as soon as I can.
June 9, 2005, 4:36 a.m. CST
by IamNumber1
I don't care what 2000 people like, cause I did not like Revenge of the sith and that is that. Sure that's just my opinion and I don't count blah blah blah of course it's my opinion, that's why I'm saying it! Let's break this down sense you like statistics so much. Phantom Menace made $431,088,301 and received an B average from 3447 votes. It's also ranked #5 on the alltime chart. Attack of the clones made $302,191,252 domestically at the box office and currently has a B average from 3485 votes. Last time I checked, THOSE MOVIES SUCKED! Just for the hell of it, let's have a look at Titanic. If Titanic didn't score over 600,000,000 at the box office, NO ONE would remember it. Vague statement, but let me elaborate. that movie was a long, boring, historically inaccurate chick flick. Now you can buy that film for 7 bucks at target. Hell, I paid 7.25 to see it in the theaters, and I still haven't got my money back. Point is, nobody ever talks about Titanic anymore unless you're talking about crappy movies that made a truckload of cash in theaters. And you know what else, I wouldn't be surprised if Batman doens't make anywhere NEAR as much money as star wars does. there may be a lot of batman fans out there, but NONE of them will camp out to see the latest batman film. Star Wars has a freaky cult following that is so big and devoted, while Batman actually has to gain its fans back after the assraping schumacher did. Powermetal, if you liked star wars, that's fine. If you don't agree with what I say, that's fine too, but don't ever EVER talk shit and throw statistics around, thinking you're opinion means any more than mine!
June 9, 2005, 1:53 p.m. CST
Rutger Hauer!
by Elwin
Ha! So nice to here that one of our national treasures is back in action! (Sin City, Batman Begins) Go Rutger, Go!
"So nice to hear..." ahum sorry for the spelling mistake *it's ok man, this is internet you know, internet invented spelling mistakes*
June 10, 2005, 5:19 a.m. CST
ahh yes, another round Powermetal1?
by IamNumber1
Maybe you didn't get the message. I don't care if two thousand, thirty thousand, or two hundred thirty thousand people liked the movie, I still didn't like it. So please tell me, how exactly is your opinion educated and informed when all you said in the last TWO posts were statistics from other websites and rehashed opinions from other people? I did that in response to your original post, and I've been accused of being "a knuckle dragger and and a neaderthal." Oh, and it's spelled neanderthal, unless you were too busy to spell check, what with that movie industry job you have and all. By the way, hollywood, why is a guy in the film business like you wasting you're time arguing with a loser who lives in his Mom's basement with just his action figures and his food stamps to keep him company? If my opinion really doesn't matter, than I'd be ignored, especially from movie bigwigs like yourself. But you see, my opinion does matter, and you're response to my post is proof. You could try and prove that my opinion doesn't matter by not responding to this post, but that also means that I get the last word in, making you the loser. Catch 22 aint it? My point is, my opinion is my own, and I don't try to back it up with statistics of other people who share the same opinion as me. And, I didn't tell you to never talk shit (the purpose of this very talkback), I told you not to think you're opinion means anymore than mine. You could be the most powerfull man in Hollywood, but when you talk shit in this site, we're all equals...whatever man, think what you want. But hey, all sarcasm and cheap shots aside, point taken. I'm sure most people liked star wars 3. And if you really are in the movie business (and not just bullshitting in an attempt to give yourself clout), good for you. It's a hard proffesion to be in.
June 10, 2005, 5:32 a.m. CST
Harrys review of Batman
by snowpatrol101
Right on H.K. I sat 3 rows behind you at the monday premiere clapping and cheering all along.O.M.G.Nolan and Bale's Batman is so down right spooky.Wayne becomes what he fears most and it's time the criminals fear it too.The costume and that Voice send chills down ones spine.When the dirty cop is hanging 100 ft or so upside down he finishes one of Batman's questions with "I swear to god "Batmans respone as he drops him "NO,SWEAR TO ME" Overall this movie made this 35 year old feel 14 again.Loved it..
June 10, 2005, 3:39 p.m. CST
Review: Batman Begins
by Dewtrell
Alright, now I am new to posting here but I go all the way back to AICN when Titanic was released in 1996, so I do feel comfortable posting my review and taking anyone on if I have to. My friend invited me to an employees screening at Warner Bros. last night for Batman Begins. Apparently, Warner Bros. knows they have a great movie on their hands and they want to get the word out. So, here it is... those who haven't seen it, don't knock it until you PAY your hard earned money to see it, Otherwise... sit back, take some notes, go see the movie, then come back with your two cents: Batman Begins, directed by Chris Nolan, the man responsible for Memento and Insomnia, whips every single film about Batman, YES
June 10, 2005, 3:46 p.m. CST
Guess It Didn't Work
by Dewtrell
Carry on...
June 11, 2005, 2:40 a.m. CST
by IamNumber1
Great review. From what you said, this movie sounds like it should be. You know, I've been asking a lot of people what they think of the new batman movie, and most people have no interest in it, citing Batman and Robin as their reason. My prediction (if this movie is as good as everyone says it is), is that it does decent numbers, but word of mouth will keep it in theaters for several months.
June 11, 2005, 7:48 a.m. CST
POWERMETAL1 sucks and swallows Joel Shoemaker's cock and su
by justlooking
First time poster and for sure the last. First time on Aint it cool website and the last. I am REALLY in the business. agent for 3 years now. From hearing all this, I am not going to go onto this site anymore until I learn the business to become a producer for a studio. And then I'll come back on this site to make sure fan's voices are heard. IAMNUMBER1. GOOD! GOOD! great comeback on POWERcockMETAL1. You are definitlety the winner no matter how he tries to come back at you! FANS DO HAVE SOME TYPE OF INFLUENCE believe it or not....it's how you channel it. Stop blabbing on this site and try to contact the studios or go to the conventions where the SUITS hang out. They are there....trust me. POWERMETAL1, you are a cocksucker extraordinaire. What the hell is an important Hollywood producer or suit like you doing on this site? I'm just on here to check it out and will no longer read this site until I actually have some clout in the business. You don't sound like you're in the business. But if you are, you heard what everybody has said here, now JUST GO AND MAKE SOME GOOD MOVIES FOR THE FANS TO WATCH instead of bitching on here! If you want to talk to me and try to make you're comeback response to this, just call me at ICM and ask for agent35. THAT WILL BE ME. Hopefully, you know what ICM is if you are what you say you are. When you talk to me, be cool or I'll have to whore-slap the hell out of you. Producer! quit wasting your time here! If you post on this site again, you are definitely not a person who has steady work in the industry, loser! Be cool and let's talk. (I bet you Powermetal1, you're going to post, you need to to let evryone know you haven't been taken down, but you have, so just deal with it) too bad I won't have time to read it. I'm going to focus on trying to make awesome movies for the fans. take care, Powermetal, no offense.
June 11, 2005, 7:52 a.m. CST
by Thayden Ozma
You're a harsh man, but your hearts in the right place. You're just trying to defend the truth and the past is the past, nobody can change it. You might not be able to get them to admit it, but they can't deny history. -Az
June 11, 2005, 11:26 a.m. CST
Batman Begins site
by brinkeguthrie
Can someone let Lucius Fox know that the QTVR movies on the site Do Not Work. DOH.
June 11, 2005, 1:42 p.m. CST
Thayden ozma...
by IamNumber1
what exactly am I trying to deny? I know that star wars is making hunreds of millions of dollars at the box office, and I know it will go down in history as one of the biggest grossing movies of all time. I just didn't think it was that great. That's why I cited Titanic. That made 600 million in the us, and it was crap. Powermetal was citing the money star wars 3 made as his arguent, as if making hundreds of millions of dollars means that a movie is unquestionably good. I'm sure people loved it, but I didn't. That's all. Whatever man, this is a Batman talkback anyways.
June 11, 2005, 9:37 p.m. CST
That cut like a knife.
by Thayden Ozma
Although I have no idea what your ranting has to do with anything I said in this talkback. I've never said that Star Wars was good because it made a ton of cash, Star Wars is good because it is you dolt. Get a fucking clue, I'm not defending these films because it's the flavor of the week, or it's something to pass the time. I'm defending these films because I like them. (crowd breaks out in a flurry of chatter at the unheard of announcement that someone likes the prequels without any strings attached.) You heard me, and if I can admit that to this cynical mob then there's nothing you can say or do to stop me. Stop badgering me with details about profits or pacing or storytelling or character development or marketing. I know my fair share about that nonsense. Does my terminology insist to you that I don't? That crap is old news my friend, I've graduated from bantering about such inferior topics and where they weigh in the grand scheme of what I like long ago. You're arena is weak and a win or a loss there doesn't make a dent in what I'm trying to say, so stop pointing figures and other peoples opinions at me to validate your point, a watergun is more effective. -Az
June 12, 2005, 2:02 a.m. CST
Thayden, were you talking to me or to powermetal?
by IamNumber1
cause "citing other people's opinions and stating facts and numbers" is what I was getting on powermetal for. If you like star wars, that's fine. but I didn't, and all the name calling, retorts and slamming in the world couldn't change that. Sith was much better than the last two, but the acting from hayden christens..se...young vader was subpar and there were a few plot holes that bugged me. the special effects were good enough to just blend into the surroundings like a prop. And there were some great memorable scenes (like the twin sunsets for example). However, I still just thought it was ok....dammit, I didn't want to get into this on the batman talkback!
June 13, 2005, 9:52 a.m. CST
Ras was an eco freako and more
by irishfella
Ras was an eco terrorist and leader of assasins i think. its all in the name really, Ras al ghul means the demons head
June 16, 2005, 10:15 a.m. CST
Fucking awesome. Finally, a movie tha makes a solid case for "r
by minderbinder
One of the best superhero movies ever (along with Spidey 2 and X2), and definitely the best kickoff to a superhero franchise. After this, it will be hard to go back to the usual cartoony superhero movie, this will be a HUGE influence on how they're done in the future. Hope it does well, I wouldn't be surprised if it only does okay with typical idiot audiences. THIS is the movie of the summer.
June 16, 2005, 12:24 p.m. CST
Call me a hater...
by ANGELS-EGG
...but I swear I must of seen some other movie. It was bloody dull...scarecrow was good...but nolan bogged it down. Cliche,Cliche...this film felt much like the punisher movie to me. Flame away!
June 16, 2005, 1:40 p.m. CST
Sign the CRISPIN GLOVER as The Joker Petition!
by RIVERO
June 16, 2005, 2:24 p.m. CST
BEST Mr. Freeze would be...
by GopherTrace
Christoper Lloyd, bitches.
June 16, 2005, 9:07 p.m. CST
Interesting take on Batman Begins
by adamonkey
http://www.readmag.com/Reviews/sd_batmanbegins.htm Just... wow.
June 17, 2005, 1:48 a.m. CST
Jack Palance...
by Rock Icon
was great. "Don't forget your lucky deck." In many ways Batman Begins is technically superior to Batman, but I think Batman has a little more magic to it. The characters are just full of charisma. Batman Begins is somewhat of a revision, since the movies cover extremely similar ground (which is probably exactly what will happen with Superman - "hey it's been a few years let's retell the same story with better effects"). But where Batman Begins succeeds is in creating an extremely realistic comic world. I don't think that there was anything in the movie outside the realm of possibility. They actually managed a satisfactory explanation of how Batman gets all his gear. Katie was much better than I expected her to be, she didn't seem like a teenager at any point. Portraying Batman as a ninja was pretty awesome. I'd love to see Bale get some more humor to play around with next time, as in Patrick Bateman humor. If Goyer is writing again... well let's just say I've seen his attempts at humor (Ryan Reynolds in Blade Trinity) and if thats what it would be like then forget I ever mentioned humor. Nolan pulled off something very big with this picture. As another man in black once said, "Impressive. Most Impressive."
June 17, 2005, 2:44 a.m. CST
Not that Dark
by Black TARDIS
Begins wasn't that dark. In Batman Returns, Batman fries a clown with his batmobile and kills other people in cold blood. The new Batman: "I'm not an executioner!" He holds someone upside down and makes friends with hobos. Yeah, real Dark. But don't worry Nolan lovers, I still enjoyed the film.
June 17, 2005, 2:46 a.m. CST
Finally, the Batman movie fanboys have been waiting for
by Thirteen 13
Well I just returned from seeing it a second time. This is the best Batman movie to date. Granted, Tim Burton did a great job with his first two Batman movies. And director Joel Schumacher destroyed the Batman franchise with his two trainwrecks that passed themselves off as Batman movies. But Batman begins is dead-on the way Batman is supposed to be. In some ways it feels like Frank Millers popular comic mini-series "Batman : Year One". In many areas you can see the influence. I just hope they keep the same creative talent on board for 2 and 3 ( I understand this is supposed to be a trilogy). If they read the reviews from critics and fans alike, and given the assured success of this film, I'm sure we won't have anything to worry about for future Batman movies. Oh and I love the new Batmobile. I hope they keep this car and not decide to redesign and change it. This is the coolest Batmobile to date. This one reminds me of the batmobile from Frank Millers comic min-series "The Dark Knight Returns". I won't give it away but the ending sets it up for the next villian, and it will be obvious who it is. I assure you it will make Batman fans very happy.
June 17, 2005, 10:25 p.m. CST
by HallowedBThyName
and as much as I enjoyed Nolan's job on this one, I would love to see Cuaron get a crack at a film. Disagree with Mori on Holmes: the pic needed and got some nice female eye candy.
June 18, 2005, 12:04 a.m. CST
Is Batman kind of a Tard? (major spoilers)
by MrPants
Not to be a troll, but this movie really isn't all that great. This is just my opinion, and the only reason I'm posting it here is cuz Moriarty's (along with Harry's and most of the world's -- i'm the lone idiot who doesn't get it) review really piqued my interest. Unfortunately, this movie ain't so good. Is it good for a superhero movie? Yes. Is it the best Batman movie? yes. But is it a good movie? No. Once you remove all of the caveats, it is a poorly written movie directed and shot fairly well. I know it's Shocking coming from a script from the Genius Brain of David S. Goyer (Sarcasm. that guy is cancer to fanboy's hearts. Dark City was good). Devoid of all of my fanboy problems -- of which there are a whole load -- this movie has some serious problems on its own. Firstly, the dialogue. Count how many times the words Fear, Scared, Afraid, or any derivations along those lines pop up throughout this film. HeyZeus Christo, we get it! Fear is important. Stop belaboring the fucking point. Within the first 30 minutes they keep saying it. They do this with a bunch of phrases and lines. "We fall down, to get back up." The whole bit about theatricality. I understand recurring themes, but stop beating us over the head about it. (And maybe if this film was directed towards kids I could understand the endless and useless repetition, but with those nightmare sequences & the riveting action of dummy corporations buying public stock, I kinda doubt that's the target audience.) Instead we get this point over and over again -- FEAR is IMPORTANT. It's a tool for the bad guys...or is it also a tool for the good guys? Okay. Good. We got it. Oh, you're gonna repeat it 3,452 more times? Really? Great. And the Bat as symbol. I know there was a lot of confluence with the bat in young Wayne's life (fallin in the cave, the medicine man with the symbol, etc.) but over and over again. +++ And the action. It couldn't be shot worse. It's shaking cam guy effect, without a shaky cam. I understand the effect is that "Batman moves so fast, he be invisible!" Wire-fu, while overused and kind of annoying at this point, at least shows that fight choreographers, directors, actors, and stunt people care about fight sequences. It's odd that Nolan grounds SO much in reality (really well, too) but when it comes to clobberin' time it's all blurs and shaky images. Also, there was no real big fight. The biggest action set piece was the Car Chase with the Cops...and even that was kind of lame. I mean, it's a cool tank and definitely one of the highlights of the film, but that's the shining star of the movie? The fuck? I thought that when Batman bids adieu to Dawes (after revealing his identity) to stop Ducard/Ra's, he was going to go through a gauntlet of crazy people, League of Shadows guys, and finally have a badass battle royale with Ducard/Ra's. But no. He just flies, gets in a fight with a couple of lackeys (and appears to lose to them), gets beaten up with people sprayed by FEAR toxin (shouldn't they be recoiling in terror?), and then gets in half assed fight that really just blows. For shame. ++++ And while this is verging on fanboy nitpicking (sorry fellow nerds) why is Batman a moron in this film? He doesn't even understand what Lucius Fox tells him when he's describing the Scarecrow's serum. AND he asks Fox to make him more. HubbaWubbaWHAT? Goyer & Nolan posit Batman as a guy with a lot of money, some nice gadgets, some Tae Bo training, and a grudge. Which, for the most part, he is, truthfully. But he's also one smart dude, that's how he beats the bad guys -- or at least maneuvers himself into a position to beat up the bad guys. He figures out solutions besides taking pictures and throwing a punch. It'll take more than a half assed understanding of psychology and a kevlar vest to fight a guy dressed in a clown suit. Hmmm...then again....++++Also, a weird bit about this film is that the movie shows how Bruce Wayne actually doesn't honor his family. I mean, the family house is trashed and people think he's a bit of a wanker (the house, reputation, and Wayne good name being the legacy of the slaughtered Waynes -- as Alfred says on an endless loop). True, he's starting to rebuild at the end -- but isn't that weird. He's rebuilding -- sure it's the same company name, and will appear to be the same house, but both will have their own individual Bruce Wayne stamp on them. Just struck me as an odd theme to kind of fuck up at the end. +++ there's some great points -- Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Colm Wilkinson, Michael Caine are all great. Christian Bale is good in the part written for him, i just think (as a nerd) it was written poorly and wrongly. Gotham looks great, and it all feels like it could happen in the real world. Problem is that in this film, just like in the real world, people don't always speak so well. Then again, most people I know don't walk around speaking in maxims and trying to sound deep about the nature of fear and darkness, but maybe that's just my scene.
June 18, 2005, 12:22 a.m. CST
Agree MrPants...Batman was a brute, not a detective
by Thunderballs
He came across as a real moron in this film, and that is unforgivably out of character for Batman. He is supposed to be one of the smartest guys in the world, I don't care if he is just starting out or not, he still needs to be very intelligent, and the movie did not make it seem as such.
June 18, 2005, 12:46 a.m. CST
by blackthought
they build on this and add bruce thirst for knowledge, his brain and detective abilities...we'll get there. have faith.
June 18, 2005, 12:57 a.m. CST
Yeah, I didn't like it either.
by Mista Mann
Really, from the first scenes I was annoyed and kept thinking "Okay, so this is one of those movies that is kinda bad at first but just blows your socks off later." But my socks stayed firmly on and in tightly-laced shoes the whole movie. *spoilers o' plenty ahead, by the way* The cliches, the predictable dialogue, and the HOLES just brought it down. I and my friends stood outside the theater for a good 20 minues just bringing up stupid things such as: If he thought he might ever see Scarecrow again, wouldn't he freaking TAKE some of the antidote with him? Oh wait, the script needs a kick-ass batmobile scene so we'll just have him leave it back at the cave. And that microwave emitter is just a pandora's box of loopholes. That's the kind of thing writers try to put in then stop after realizing how hard it would be to think through all the ways its power would manifest. Wouldn't the water in our bodies vaporize? Would the steam not be super hot? And how exactly does it vaporize the water without nuking everybody? How did Bruce take back the company? They didn't explain any of the shareholding stuff. Did Wayne have his own secret stash of millions of dollars to buy up the shares? Did they say that and I missed it? Why do people, who are going crazy with fear, attack the freakiest thing around, a giant bat with glowing eyes? Why do fight scenes need to be cut like your a fly just trying to fly through a bunch of big animals thrashing around? And like other people said, isn't Batman supposed to be smart? Wasn't he supposed to use his intelligence and focus it to become what he is? Not have some secret society teach him to be Batman and then just buy all his toys. When he found the burnt stethoscope, did we REALLY need to see the flashback AGAIN of him and his father with it? What was the explanation for having to get all bent foward in the Batmobile just to shoot some weapons? Would an assistant district attorney really still have a puke green early 90's Taurus seven years later? Okay, at this point, I'm just nitpicking because I didn't like movie. But little things can really add up, especially when you don't like the movie in general. Oh, and just to be nice about it, I actually really liked how he called all those bats in for "back up". It made sense, it was extremely handy, and it made for a really cool scene. Kudos on that, my favorite part of the movie.
June 18, 2005, 7:04 a.m. CST
Thanks goodness...
by ANGELS-EGG
Im not alone! Everyone around me saying what a bloody great film this is...personally I couldnt see it at all. Some things that really bugged me..was that the batmobile had "stealth mode" yet is large and heavy enough for anyone to hear it crunching through tarmack...stealth or not. Why didnt she freak out in the car while suffering from the fear gas? I mean she was in a strange envoironment..with a starnger in a batcostume???? The fear gas was spread across a part of gotham...the public goes loopy...yet the antidote would take a few days to be made...yet we were told it would kill your brain within a few hours. So what happened? They all die?? Batman runs over police vehicles with the drivers still in it....way to go keeping yer scruples "Im not a executioner"...repetition of "key" points....action scenes that were limp. Direlogue....Multiple Cliches...To be honest all the things I expect to happen but also lacking. I cant see any difference from this film & the punisher. I think fans have embraced this to the point of blindness. This wasnt a good batman film...it was a bad bond movie. I still prefer burtons films...the animated tv show is the best batman on screen.
June 18, 2005, 10:18 a.m. CST
by blackthought
June 18, 2005, 2:30 p.m. CST
Not Hating for Sake of Hating
by MrPants
I wanted this movie to be great. And I'm not one of those people who think the Burton films are the best and therefore Nolan's film was doomed to suck. In fact I thought Batman Returns was absolutely horrible. The first Batman film had its moments -- I liked the gauntlet up the Bell Tower, and the overall look of the film. But still it was lacking in several interesting and fanboy ways, and Kim Basinger spent 90% of the film screeching. The Schumacher films were deplorable and fairly insulting to fans and film goers alike. ++++ And, as opposed to matthooper, I really like Memento and Insomnia. Yes, the backwards trick wasn't new or revolutionary (it was used in a Pinter play before the Seinfeld episode. Hence, the name of the groom is Pinter). But the mood and mindfuck games were great. It was funny, brutal, sad, and all around very entertaining. And Insomnia is an underrated thriller that continues the probing of the relationship between Saint and Sinner. Which is why I was hopeful for Batman Begins, and why even the crappy script seem tailor made for Nolan -- all of his films seem interested in that thin line between a good guy and a bad guy and how society and people go about defining those things. Unfortunately, the garbled writing seemed to suffocate this inspection. I don't think this film is worse than the Schumacher Films. It's on par with the burton films, I guess. It creates a gritty setting, an excellent dark mood, and even some good relationships between Alfred, Bruce, Lucius, and Gordon, but it still misses the mark of being entertaining. Still think that Mask of the Phantasm and the rest of the Batman: The Animated Series are the best versions of Batman on film. Although none of them have the AntiShark Repellent that Adam West used so well in Batman: The Film.++++ Still, I think that as long as Goyer stays the fuck away, the sequels should be great. Cuaron would be great to direct, maybe even get Matthew Vaughn to make a comic book movie (and not then replace him with the Ultimate in Hackery). I mean, I thought the first X-Men movie was pretty jackass (That lightning line? come on) . But it laid an excellent foundation and then X2 came about and kicked a whole bunch of Ass. So perhaps now that all of the major characters and settings have been established, the films can kick into gear.
June 19, 2005, 4:44 a.m. CST
I also Think...
by ANGELS-EGG
...Goyer was mostly to blame. However Nolan is a director that (to me) seems to be unable to entertain (I found insominia's title to be rather ironic)...there was nothing In Batman begins that stood out...it was just...well...dull....didnt offer anything new in the batcanon other than monotony and I doubt I could sit through it again.
June 19, 2005, 12:13 p.m. CST
Batman Begins - on the WB - instead of the theater
by Ebullient
Warner Brothers was allegedly offered a Batman origin in serialized format, or a television series. Warner passed in favor of Smallville instead. In watching Smallville and seeing Batman Begins their error is apparent. The Batman mythos has a much richer heritage to complement an episodic format than Superman lore, and might have culminated in the Christopher Nolan movie playing on screen, albeit with an established hero from the onset that the audience witnessed forged during the television series run
June 19, 2005, 7:07 p.m. CST
Rachel Dawes = R.I.P.
by GEORGEFNLUCAS
My opinion, is in the next film, the Joker is going to off Rachel...`
June 20, 2005, 5:17 a.m. CST
R-ated sequel! ! ! ! ! ! !
by MikeyW
Just read a "thing" at WCFCourier.com and Christian Bale is "Cool"...hes mentioned wanting to make an R-rATED [18+CERTIFICATE] version and a kiddies version....Well,I'd been thinking that for years about alot of different movies.I mean what would it take! Just extended fight scenes or more realistic =[ie: bad language.]language.Good thinking Batman!
June 20, 2005, 10:55 a.m. CST
"But I don't have to save you"
by Ninja Nerd
Micro-spoiler: great line delivered near the end of the film. Saw it Thursday night; our audience did something I haven't seen since Star Wars in '77...they stood and applauded. So did I. This is the best film effort to date. Looking forward to the Director's Cut DVD and (hopefully) two sequels. I disagree with Mori a little about the fights as I thought they were filmed a little TOO tight. Nolan and Bale need to start working on better fight choreography before the next film. This is the first movie in a long, long time that makes me want to go see it again. Finally, I went to to see ROTS yesterday. Maybe if I'd not seen Batman Begins it would have been better, but I don't think so. ROTS was long and somewhat boring. Plus, I kept thinking "how old is Luke in Episode 4?" I mean, Obi Wan is like 30-35 at the end of ROTS but in Epsiode 4, he's like 80. Did all that training with Qui Gon's ghost wear his ass out? Likewise, the stupid shot of the 1st Death Star. It took 20 years to complete but the 2nd, more complicated one is started and working in a year or so? (time between Episode 4 and Episode 6) Everyone complains about the Homer Simpson "Noooo!!" but theh far stupider line was "I have the high ground, you cannot win now". What? Bottom line...best movie this summer is Batman Begins. It'll be interesting to see of Speilberg and Cruise can change that!
June 20, 2005, 11:07 a.m. CST
Haters are Retarded
by We'veGonePlaid
I can't believe how many camplainers are on this message board. I have been a fan all my life and have seem all the movies on the first day and this is by far the most intelligent and respectful treatment of the characher by far. It is a shame that all you loser have to nitpick this thing to death instead giving it a little thought. For instance, anyone who camplains about his lack of scientific acumen should take note that this is "batman begins". He dropped out of college for chrissake. He does show evidence of detective work (i.e. eavedropping on Crane). He's suposed to get more scientifically savvy as he continues his career and sees the need for it. And for anyone complaining about box office, it made 46 MM on the weekend but 71 MM in the 4 days it was out, which is enough to warrant a sequel.
June 20, 2005, 3:02 p.m. CST
can't wait till the second comes
by blackthought
need at least 10 more of these bat films with bale and co.
June 18, 2008, 12:24 a.m. CST
Coldplay owns all your asses!
by thebearovingian
Er...The Dark Knight owns your asses!!! Only one more month!
Top Talkbacks
- 3rd PICKS & PEEKS of Sept 2014: Crichton Blus, THE PARTY, Bloody Entertainment, GODZILLA 3D & More!!! -- 389 total posts 389 posts
- Loki vs. King Kong in SKULL ISLAND! -- 269 total posts 269 posts
- A New Poster For Christopher Nolan's INTERSTELLAR!! -- 195 total posts 195 posts
- Behold The Cool(ish) IMAX Poster For DRACULA UNTOLD!! -- 163 total posts 163 posts
- Check out this MASSIVE new HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES banner!! -- 300 total posts 145 posts
- Hold off, Aaron Cross: Matt Damon's back as Jason Bourne! -- 226 total posts 111 posts
- Promo Images From DOCTOR WHO S08E05 - 'Time Heist'!! -- 98 total posts 98 posts
- SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Hires 20-Year-Old Cast Member!! -- 86 total posts 55 posts
- 2nd Sept 2014 PICKS & PEEKS Column: CAP 2, Pumpkinhead, Toho, Addams, Star Trek, Slashers, Comedy & Action+ -- 1805 total posts 52 posts
- Looks like they got the right Mann to play Audrey Griswald in the VACATION update! -- 134 total posts 52 posts


text:
Fredt is only my name when I'm at work.
Email Fredt
Recent Postings
List all my recent posts.
Personal Webpage
Click to list photo comments written by me. (33 comments)
I've voted for 994 photos, average vote 2.8.
(15% superb - 13% good - 29% average - 19% poor - 21% rubbish)
Been Climbing For
More than 20 years
Best Onsights
Trad - E1
Winter - IV
Aid - A3
Ice - WI1
I Climb...
Once a month
In the UK, Europe & USA
Latest Climbs
... hidden
Ticklists BETA
... hidden
Climbs Wishlist
... hidden
Read more about user profiles and how to set up your own.

subset: commoncrawl