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osarabaForgot to mention, on Saturday I went to the movies with parents and Liz, to see Batman Begins.
For anyone who hasn't seen it yet,
The beginning was kind of blah. I remember overhearing someone say (maybe a friend said this?) that they were looking forward to seeing it because it was going to be about Batman's training and how he came to be Batman and all that. Hmmm... I thought that sounded intriguing, but in light of how the movie really was, this part of it didn't really interest me all that much. The story itself was somewhat mediocre. It wasn't bad (the ones with Kilmer and Clooney were bad, even though I love Chris O'Donnell), but I don't think I could say that it was all that great, either.
Actually, the things I liked the most were less about the story itself than about the style of the movie. Although Angelica said she doesn't like Christian Bale, and I thought he could have done better for the latter part of Howl's Moving Castle, I thought he was pretty darn good in this movie! In fact, I think I really liked him. He wasn't too buff or square-jawed (one of the things I hate about Batman comics). He was actually dark, and angsty; returning to the mood of the original Batman with Michael Keaton (who was the best, imo).
One of the things I noticed -- and thought I could've been projecting, but then Liz said after the movie that she'd noticed it too -- was that during the scenes that he was fully disguised as Batman, Bale spoke differently (in a slightly lower voice), but also! moved his mouth differently (curled the top lip a bit) to look more like how Michael Keaton looks when he speaks! OMG! I thought this was really cool of Bale to do! I wonder if anyone noticed it too, and thinks I'm totally projecting or what? But it seemed like too strong a resemblance to be coincidental to me. Besides, you don't have to curl your lip to create a deeper/differently pitched voice. Well, whether purposeful or not, it added a little bit of delight for me.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the supporting cast. Michael Caine was simply wonderful as Alfred. His altered accent was highly amusing, especially in light of my recent love affair with referencing wikipedia's technical linguistic/accent terms. Morgan Freeman was also perfect and highly entertaining as a witty and somewhat sarcastic Dr. Fox (I don't know if this is an original Batman character, or made up for the movie).
The guy who played the Scarecrow (whom I didn't even realize was a Batman villain as I was never really a serious Batman fan) was so very pretty. ^^; I like that he played such a twisted character, it really fit his prettiness. I wonder what other kinds of roles he's played; I'd like to see if he can actually act or not. Liam Neeson's role (can't remember the name) was unremarkable. I like Neeson a lot as an actorbefore Star Wars anyway, but he didn't make much of an impression on me. Ras Al Ghul (sp?) is another Batman villain that I didn't realize was a Batman villain.
Gary Oldman played Lt. Gordon! Oh, it was beautiful! I love Gary Oldman (maybe not as much as![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
louiex does, but still, a lot). And he played a really great role. It was just delightful to see. Yes, it was. The type of role that he played -- that tentative/scaredy-cat hero-type, often played by Johnny Depp (like Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow) -- is often my favorite type of character! ♥
Oh yeah, Rachel Dawes/Katie Holmes. Much like Liam Neeson's character; an important part of the story, she also didn't impress me much. And I found the character of Rachel to be -- at the end -- really idiotic and weak (not Holmes's fault, that part).
Overall, I was rather impressed by the darkness and the seriousness of the movie in comparison with the last few Batman productions. I was also happily surprised to discover that I actually liked the ending more than the beginning! That never happens -- it's usually that the beginning/build-up is really good but the end gets ruined somehow, or at least, is a disappointment. I found the beginning to be somewhat blah, but tolerable; the end, however, was highly satisfying!
I feel really proud of this movie for overcoming the horrible example set by the last few -- indeed, in every one of them except that first one with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson.
Additionally, my mother commented that one of the things she didn't like was that the fight scenes (except the one-on-one with the main villain in a well-lit area) were difficult to see, as in, you couldn't clearly see what punches were being thrown, etc. One of my thoughts, but I'd be shocked if it were more than mere coincidence because I just can't see this kind of stylistic thought being put into an American superhero blockbuster movie, is that they were purposefully not clearly shown because they're not important to the story; they aren't catalysts or things Bruce Wayne (or Batman) must overcome.
But the spoilers aren't very plot-specific, so it should be okay -- it's more of a style-critique than anything else. If you take the time to read my long-winded opinion, please let me know what you thought of the movie also. When I actually think of stuff like this (that is, without having to work at it), I like to hear what others think too.
For anyone who hasn't seen it yet,
The beginning was kind of blah. I remember overhearing someone say (maybe a friend said this?) that they were looking forward to seeing it because it was going to be about Batman's training and how he came to be Batman and all that. Hmmm... I thought that sounded intriguing, but in light of how the movie really was, this part of it didn't really interest me all that much. The story itself was somewhat mediocre. It wasn't bad (the ones with Kilmer and Clooney were bad, even though I love Chris O'Donnell), but I don't think I could say that it was all that great, either.
Actually, the things I liked the most were less about the story itself than about the style of the movie. Although Angelica said she doesn't like Christian Bale, and I thought he could have done better for the latter part of Howl's Moving Castle, I thought he was pretty darn good in this movie! In fact, I think I really liked him. He wasn't too buff or square-jawed (one of the things I hate about Batman comics). He was actually dark, and angsty; returning to the mood of the original Batman with Michael Keaton (who was the best, imo).
One of the things I noticed -- and thought I could've been projecting, but then Liz said after the movie that she'd noticed it too -- was that during the scenes that he was fully disguised as Batman, Bale spoke differently (in a slightly lower voice), but also! moved his mouth differently (curled the top lip a bit) to look more like how Michael Keaton looks when he speaks! OMG! I thought this was really cool of Bale to do! I wonder if anyone noticed it too, and thinks I'm totally projecting or what? But it seemed like too strong a resemblance to be coincidental to me. Besides, you don't have to curl your lip to create a deeper/differently pitched voice. Well, whether purposeful or not, it added a little bit of delight for me.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the supporting cast. Michael Caine was simply wonderful as Alfred. His altered accent was highly amusing, especially in light of my recent love affair with referencing wikipedia's technical linguistic/accent terms. Morgan Freeman was also perfect and highly entertaining as a witty and somewhat sarcastic Dr. Fox (I don't know if this is an original Batman character, or made up for the movie).
The guy who played the Scarecrow (whom I didn't even realize was a Batman villain as I was never really a serious Batman fan) was so very pretty. ^^; I like that he played such a twisted character, it really fit his prettiness. I wonder what other kinds of roles he's played; I'd like to see if he can actually act or not. Liam Neeson's role (can't remember the name) was unremarkable. I like Neeson a lot as an actor
Gary Oldman played Lt. Gordon! Oh, it was beautiful! I love Gary Oldman (maybe not as much as
louiex does, but still, a lot). And he played a really great role. It was just delightful to see. Yes, it was. The type of role that he played -- that tentative/scaredy-cat hero-type, often played by Johnny Depp (like Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow) -- is often my favorite type of character! ♥Oh yeah, Rachel Dawes/Katie Holmes. Much like Liam Neeson's character; an important part of the story, she also didn't impress me much. And I found the character of Rachel to be -- at the end -- really idiotic and weak (not Holmes's fault, that part).
Overall, I was rather impressed by the darkness and the seriousness of the movie in comparison with the last few Batman productions. I was also happily surprised to discover that I actually liked the ending more than the beginning! That never happens -- it's usually that the beginning/build-up is really good but the end gets ruined somehow, or at least, is a disappointment. I found the beginning to be somewhat blah, but tolerable; the end, however, was highly satisfying!
I feel really proud of this movie for overcoming the horrible example set by the last few -- indeed, in every one of them except that first one with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson.
Additionally, my mother commented that one of the things she didn't like was that the fight scenes (except the one-on-one with the main villain in a well-lit area) were difficult to see, as in, you couldn't clearly see what punches were being thrown, etc. One of my thoughts, but I'd be shocked if it were more than mere coincidence because I just can't see this kind of stylistic thought being put into an American superhero blockbuster movie, is that they were purposefully not clearly shown because they're not important to the story; they aren't catalysts or things Bruce Wayne (or Batman) must overcome.
But the spoilers aren't very plot-specific, so it should be okay -- it's more of a style-critique than anything else. If you take the time to read my long-winded opinion, please let me know what you thought of the movie also. When I actually think of stuff like this (that is, without having to work at it), I like to hear what others think too.
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I luff you more n more osara ^_^
Date: 2005-06-27 09:57 pm (UTC)Alright.. You're still here.. So you either dun care about spoilers or my opinions or you are jus some weirdo who dun like to listen or even worse a SKIMMER! XD
Kay, done with that, yes I heartily agree with most of what you said. A good batman KNOWS that there are two people; Bruce Wayne and Batman. Never should the two look the same, never should the two sound the same. Clooney's voice is so specific that it didn't work and Kilmer's lisp was just WRONG.
Joel Schumacher should be shot for making those movies.. Batman and Neon lighting is just no.. no.. I may vomit and I just got my teeth cleaned up. Lighting is important, I totally agree. One of the things I liked to hear was that Chris Nolan and his fellow screen writer buried themselves in the original comics in order to write and create this movie, this mean that *GASPU* they actually know what the hell they're doing with this very specific genre. They did not randomly pair together two badguys for the sake of the plot, I mean to be honest.. I was thinking that the Rutger Hauer charrie was going to be baddie number two until the twist at the end (For all you who didn't stop reading NYAH! I won't say anything). Neon, no. Dark quasi-depression city? Yes. Do you know why? Batman was born in the 40s, post depression while the big cities were still limping in such a way.
Actors. Katey Holms charrie had one good part and that was slapping Bruce not once but twice in the flashback. IMO, the best part was seeing this movie in a theatre in the Bronx and everyone was cheering and screaming then ^^;; Her deal at the end? So so so many boos.. however we did get a rather good view of her nipples, that was an upside.
Gary Oldman. Yes.. yes I love this man.. Yes I would bear his children and yes, if he asked I would live as his dark evil intentions slave. ^__^ He submerges himself in every role despite the character's own differences from himself. He made a very interesting Gordon, considering his position of power is limited and he is indeed the kind of shivery wet puppy we all wanna play with because he's the good boy.
Christian Bale. Mm.. yummy. Another submerger into his roles, did anyone here see him in the Machinist? I don't even mean if you've seen the movie, just if you've seen him. He weighed about half as less as he did in the Batman movie. That is a very dedicated actor.. He did good! He was a good Batman! Channeling the original Keaton kind, he lowered his voice, he changed the affectation of his words and even his gait was different. The suit changes people but only some get it for the better.
Morgan Freeman. He was good! Lucius Fox was always an african american and truly the only suit that Bruce felt he could trust. Though usually at the head of Wayne Enterprises in the first place, he was well done with the choice of actor.
Cillian Murphey. Mmhmm.. another Yummy one. He was the guy from 28 Days later btw if anyone saw that, just add some weight and hair on him and you'll see. I read in the movie guide that his clothes were augmented so he would subtly seem just 'wrong'. Suitcoat sleeves too long, chest rather skinny, button in the wrong place. Subtle things (GO CHRIS NOLAN!<333) that would just give you the heebies without realizing. He did a good job too being creepy in again, a very subtle way. Though to be honest, my mother and I just giggled our asses off when he and Bats had their second encounter at the asylum and Crane is nearly orgasmicly writing around in anticipation ^_~
I just realized how long of a post I made, Osara-sama please dun keel me ^__^ I really did just like the movie XD As a fan, the plot was well put together enough to not send me reeling in horror like the previous two, despite my shared luff of Chris O'Donnell (I was geeky enough to have a huge posterof him as Robin hanging over my bed for wayyyyyy too long).
One more thing? God bless a Batsuit without nipples.
Re: I luff you more n more osara ^_^
Date: 2005-06-28 12:17 am (UTC)That post-depression city thing makes *so* much sense. I kind of feel like, "duh" -- I should have realized it before.
And I completely forgot about the slapping scene -- I loved it; it was perfectly done! It wasn't a huffy/stupidly offended girly slap, no. It was a mad slap, a why are you being such a stupid fucking idiot, you stupid stupid man?! slap, and I was very, very appreciative for it! It might be one of the few slaps that are actually respectable in movie history.
I didn't see The Machinist, but I did see a picture of him in it (which, I forgot was Christian Bale), and yes he is obviously a dedicated actor. I gain more respect for him with each bit of info I find out about him. ^^
One more thing? God bless a Batsuit without nipples. You are sooooo right! Amen!
I'm glad you agreed with stuff that I said, it makes me feel good 'cause I know you're way more up on Batman stuff than I'd ever be. ^^ (Oh, and I looked up a list of "Holy" phrases that Robin said in the original TV series, and "Holy Popcorn!" is actually one of them. Teehee.)
I think I neglected to mention in my original post that, although the beginning was kind of bleh, I did enjoy it overall. ^^ I wasn't sure I'd made that clear, LOL.