"Batman Begins": Echos of a post-9/11 world?

Movie Gazette ^ | 6-8-2005 | Anton Bitel

[Jack Deth]

I dunno. I've been waiting for years for a new Dark Knight film.

"Batman Begins" hasn't premiered in my area yet. And it has very high rating at "Rotten Tomatoes.com".

It's an adaptation of a comic book. Methinks Mr. Bitel should at least read "Batman:Year One" to attain a better perspective. Than his Touchy-Feely, Freudian, MetroSexual bedwetting wailings.

Jack.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I never got into the whole "Star Wars" franchise.

Except for Chewbacca and that famous Cantina scene, I never much saw the attraction.

Go figure.

[Mr. Blonde]

If I am not mistaken, The League of Shadows has been around in the Batman universe since before 9-11. I know Ra's Al Ghul has. I love how no movie can simply be the escape that movies are supposed to be. They all have to make some politcal point. Its a summer movie based on a comic book excuse me if I have a hard time believing it is trying to explain the faults of American Foreign policy.

[Connservative]

Just saw it.

It's much like the Keaton/Kilmer/Clooney movies, omly this movie ROCKED.

Go see it. Now.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Just got home from watching it. By far the best Batman movie. If you've ever read Batman: Year One, this movie takes numerous scenes straight from that series. There were a few scenes where some of the dialog was muffled or the actors were speaking a little too quickly, but at least you didn't have Danny Devito, Jim Carrey, or Ahhnold cracking bad jokes every five minutes. The equipment Batman uses is believable, as are his attempts at keeping his Bruce Wayne and Batman personae separate.

[NeoCaveman]

Thanks for the review. Between your and National Review's Online I am looking forward to seeing this. I've always like the Batman franchise, even though the last movie was awful.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I've posted hundreds of new threads and haven't commented on them first most all the time. I view it as narcissism to pontificate before someone else has a chance.

[GraniteStateConservative]

6. NOBODY puts together a profile page as soon as they register.

Only because most people think it's unimportant or they can't think of anything cool enough to publish. I bet women FReepers are much quicker to put up a profile. There are guys with certain personalities who would, too.

[Names Ash Housewares]

"Go see it. Now."

Agreed. This truly is the first Batman film. IT nails it. Forget the other movies. This is why I read comics. Powerful, serious. It does resonate on many levels. It does seem metaphor to the war on terror, and for the right reasons, one man CAN make a difference. A lot of conservative values in this film.

Comic fans are raving. Finally, they got it right.

[Bratch]

Just saw it.

IMO, it's the first live-action Batman to reach the level of the animated Batman: Mask of the Phantasm movie. And that's highest praise I can give it.

Good stuff!

[Names Ash Housewares]

Yes Phantasm was a good example of what Batman can be when done right. It is so cool I can finally share this character properly with non comic folks and say this is what I have been trying to tell you all along. This is cool.

Im I nuts or is this film laced with conservative values? With something that resonates with our resolve in the war on terror? Kind of a tangeant I know but something is there.

[Hawkeye's Girl]

While watching the film, I didn't notice any political leanings or values, but there is the theme about Bruce wanting to carry on his father's work, so there might be something there.

Either way, I'm going to have to see it again :)

[Bratch]

As someone else said, trying to compare the League of Shadows to Al-Qaeda is really a stretch.

The League of Shadows is based on the comic book League of Assassins which was developed by Denny O'Neil for the Batman books back in the early '70's. I did, however, like the way the filmmakers tweaked their background, insinuating they were responsible for things such as the fall of Rome and the Black Death.

Kinda cool, in a geeky comic-book sorta way.

[az1roadrunner]

I saw this movie yesterday at an IMAX theater and it is STUNNING! The other Batman movies can't hold a candle to it. The acting, dialog and plot are great. Best movie I've seen since The Matix. It might actually be better by far. I do know that this is the first time I have called my brother and told him that he and Cookie have to go to a movie tonight. This movie is awesome.

And, about the Batmobile, ...

[Charles Henrickson]

Today I saw Batman Begins. I thought it was terrific, better than the 1989 Batman, which itself was pretty good.

This one captures the "Dark Knight" feel very well. Gotham City is corrupt, dark, and dangerous. The Batmobile is fantastic!

The lead, Christian Bale, is a good choice for Bruce Wayne/Batman--he has the look, the voice, etc. Also well-cast are Michael Caine as Alfred (he's especially good), Gary Oldman as Gordon, Morgan Freeman as sort of a counterpart to 007's gadget guru, and Liam Neeson as Wayne's mentor. Katie Holmes as the love interest/Asst. DA is OK--not great, but OK. There are a few other key characters--a crime boss, a crooked cop, a spooky court psychiatrist.

Kept my interest throughout, very entertaining.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Im so happy with this film! Waited so long for Batman to be done right, and I mean a long time, over two decades really. My comic nerd buds and delighted too. It is great to finally be able to share this character with non-comic reading friends and say, yep, thats The Batman up there. The way I have known him sine I first picked up a Batman comic. I hope everyone goes and sees it. And I still think it is a very conservative values film.