Review of Batman Begins, Non-Spoiler
Jun. 14th, 2005 01:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cassy_gSo, I went to the sneak preview of Batman Begins tonight. The theatre was absolutely packed, not terribly surprising.
I was disappointed by the limited role alloted to Ken Watanabe who continues to impress me as an actor. There is a presence about him, even when he is not speaking at all - very reminiscent of Yul Brynner back in the day.
Christian Bale surprised me with his portrayal of Batman, and I do mean as Batman. As Bruce Wayne he was... how do I put this....? Weak. And a stiff. Definately stiff. As Batman though, remarkable, and at times a little scary, just like he should be. It was like we had two different actors, and maybe that all in all is a good thing - it made him seem very different, just like Bruce Wayne and Batman SHOULD be. So I am kind of on a toss up with Christian, I love him and I hate him.
I somehow got over Michael Cain being Alfred. Honestly, I guess it is just because he's such a brilliant actor - I don't know, he managed to be in the background and unobtrusive - and not overshadow our young Mr. Wayne. Kudos to Michael Cain.
Morgan Freeman, brilliant actor, and so much fun as Lucius Fox. He made me smile, just because on more than one occasion.
Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon, Dracula he was not, but it was lurking under there somewhere. He played Gordon as a respectable man that had all but given up hope and was flirting with the dark side of human nature. Circumstances not withstanding, I think we would have seen him go down a very dark path indeed.
And then thers's Liam Neeson... I can't say much about him without spoiling everything, but he's everything we have come to expect from him as an actor.
And the character of Rachel - as I am sure this will be unpopular as far opinions go - Katie Holmes was beautiful - but honestly any pretty woman could have done as good a job as she did. And I do mean any pretty woman.
Oh, I almost forgot Cillian Murphy, who played Dr. Crane... oh, my, goodness... what beautiful eyes this man has. Good acting, but god, leave the glasses on and just let me look at him a while, please!
As far as the movie goes, it was slow in places, but I think that's to be expected when you are trying to lay foundations of a character. There are some timeline/age issues, and a couple of plot flaws, but a very enjoyable movie overall. My biggest complaint is actually that the fight scenes tended to be 1. Too Long, and 2. Shot Too Close Up. For the love of all fight scene choregraphiers everywhere, PAN BACK! Spectacular explosions, though often unnecessary, and bigger than they should be. Nifty but one again useless over all gadgets... yes, yes, the tank is WAY FRILLIN COOL, and funny, but not needed. Also, I really think that panic, mass hysteria and screaming temporal doom should involve perhaps a little running and screaming... just a little, please. At one moment I actually had a flashback to The Mummy, when they are all wandering around mumbling Imhotep.
So there you have it - an overall enjoyable movie, there is some issues, but worth going to see all the same! I give it a 3 out of 5. (Oh and remember I tend to be harsh with movies.)
Now, I have to find time (and money) to go see Howl's Moving Castle.
I was disappointed by the limited role alloted to Ken Watanabe who continues to impress me as an actor. There is a presence about him, even when he is not speaking at all - very reminiscent of Yul Brynner back in the day.
Christian Bale surprised me with his portrayal of Batman, and I do mean as Batman. As Bruce Wayne he was... how do I put this....? Weak. And a stiff. Definately stiff. As Batman though, remarkable, and at times a little scary, just like he should be. It was like we had two different actors, and maybe that all in all is a good thing - it made him seem very different, just like Bruce Wayne and Batman SHOULD be. So I am kind of on a toss up with Christian, I love him and I hate him.
I somehow got over Michael Cain being Alfred. Honestly, I guess it is just because he's such a brilliant actor - I don't know, he managed to be in the background and unobtrusive - and not overshadow our young Mr. Wayne. Kudos to Michael Cain.
Morgan Freeman, brilliant actor, and so much fun as Lucius Fox. He made me smile, just because on more than one occasion.
Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon, Dracula he was not, but it was lurking under there somewhere. He played Gordon as a respectable man that had all but given up hope and was flirting with the dark side of human nature. Circumstances not withstanding, I think we would have seen him go down a very dark path indeed.
And then thers's Liam Neeson... I can't say much about him without spoiling everything, but he's everything we have come to expect from him as an actor.
And the character of Rachel - as I am sure this will be unpopular as far opinions go - Katie Holmes was beautiful - but honestly any pretty woman could have done as good a job as she did. And I do mean any pretty woman.
Oh, I almost forgot Cillian Murphy, who played Dr. Crane... oh, my, goodness... what beautiful eyes this man has. Good acting, but god, leave the glasses on and just let me look at him a while, please!
As far as the movie goes, it was slow in places, but I think that's to be expected when you are trying to lay foundations of a character. There are some timeline/age issues, and a couple of plot flaws, but a very enjoyable movie overall. My biggest complaint is actually that the fight scenes tended to be 1. Too Long, and 2. Shot Too Close Up. For the love of all fight scene choregraphiers everywhere, PAN BACK! Spectacular explosions, though often unnecessary, and bigger than they should be. Nifty but one again useless over all gadgets... yes, yes, the tank is WAY FRILLIN COOL, and funny, but not needed. Also, I really think that panic, mass hysteria and screaming temporal doom should involve perhaps a little running and screaming... just a little, please. At one moment I actually had a flashback to The Mummy, when they are all wandering around mumbling Imhotep.
So there you have it - an overall enjoyable movie, there is some issues, but worth going to see all the same! I give it a 3 out of 5. (Oh and remember I tend to be harsh with movies.)
Now, I have to find time (and money) to go see Howl's Moving Castle.
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no subject
Date: 2005-06-15 08:26 am (UTC)Timeline/age issues? Bruce Wayne is now about 25-27 or so, right?
Plot flaws? I'm curious as to what you might be referring to...
The fight scene choreography did show a weakness for doing fight scenes, but at the same time, it made sense because that's what it felt like to those fighting Batman. The training fight scenes have longer shots and aren't as much of a camera flurry as the ones as Batman.
The tank was needed in my opinion and referenced the Batmobile from the Dark Knight Returns.