I give it an A

Posted on | June 16, 2005 | 5 Comments

Batman Begins left me all happy and juicy. I really enjoyed this film, not because it was better than the other Batman-monstrosities that came before, but because it was a good film on its own. When I left the theatre, I felt something for Bruce Wayne, something beyond the wide-eyed wonder that he would normally instill. He was an angry man, a man overwhelmed by guilt and rage. You see him get pissed. You see him reckless. That humanizes his struggle and lends it a feeling of truth. And by the end of the movie I not only liked Batman/Bruce Wayne, I understood why he felt compelled to do what he does.
As for the other characters, the roles were acted beautifully.
Michael Cane’s Alfred posseses bright, biting but loving sarcasm, and his character seems to be the main conduit for Bruce’s humanity. You see him at his most vulnerable when he’s with Alfred, and I really liked that. Alfred also has that air of propriety, and serves as a good mirror for the madness that Batman must live. There’s also a sadness in Alfred, which is subtle, but ever present, and I don’t know if that is something I read into the character or if it was intended, but it worked for me.
Liam Neeson’s Ducard was just a bad-ass. There was a conversation post-movie about whether he could pull off such a feat, that he didn’t necessarily possess the presence to be such a ass kicking mother, but I think he succeeded, and then some.
Ken Wantanabe was not in the film enough. I am more than a little miffed at that. And they didn’t give him much to do….made me a little sad.
I’m not a fan of Katie Holmes. And her character, Rachel, didn’t serve much of a purpose. I don’t even feel like she is worthy eye-candy, then again, I am one who goes for the darker, more dangerous women. So, passable acting, but I was not terribly impressed.
I think my favorite non-Batman character was Fox, played by Morgan Freeman. He lights up a screen with that smile of his, and just oozes mischevious intentions. Every time he showed up in the film I had to grin, he’s just that good. He gets some pretty whizzy one-liners.
Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon, perfection. I don’t need to say much more.

Frankie made a great point when we got out of the film. There are a lot of big name actors in this film, but not one acts outside their character. They all fill their spaces as much as possible without outshining the other players in the film. And D put it well when he said this was a film about Bruce Wayne, not about the villians.
I would recommend this film with ease. It satisfied my need for ass kicking action, fast cars (I want a Tumbler!!) and a human side to the characters within this little play (its the first time you see Batman with bruises!!)….there is a twist in the film that got me too… I totally didn’t see it coming, and bravo to them for doing it. I want to see this again!!

I know this is a relatively incoherant review…but I didn’t get much sleep and what sleep I did get was innundated with strange adventure dreams that hinged on the robbery of a snack machine and travels through a strange dry rolling-hills countryside cut through by a river lined with unaturally tall palm trees. Oh, and I stole a Mountain Dew in the dream. I’m still not really sure why….oh and there were volcanoes…yeah. I don’t get it either.

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