Batman Begins is... a western?

[Andrew D. Gable]

Wow. I was never a fan of Batman (blasphemy, I know, the players in my group near-crucified me for that), but this production sounds to be top-notch. Some great casting!

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

and a prototype armoured suit leads him to take on a new persona.

Is no one else scared out of his cowl by this one line? :\

 

[Suldulin]

Is no one else scared out of his cowl by this one line? :\

It does give me some concern

 

[Silver Moon]

Is no one else scared out of his cowl by this one line?

What? No desire to see "The Invincible Iron Bat"?

 

[Taelorn76]

I think the armor would be less like Ironman and maybe more like a heavy duty type of kevlar.

 

[Klaus]

I think the armor would be less like Ironman and maybe more like a heavy duty type of kevlar.

Which makes a lot of sense, since the bat-suit in the comics is made of 15 layers of kevlar and at least 5 layers of nomex (a fire-retardant).

Jim Lee, upon getting the Batman gig, did a sketch on how the suit looks without the gray/black layer on top. The ears contain communications antennae, the eyes house retractable infrared lenses, the major areas of the body are armored like a bulletproof vest, the area beneath the bat-symbol is especially armored (it's a target on purpose)...

 

[mmadsen]

Ra's Al-Ghul as Ninja Cult Leader

...the dangerous but honorable ninja cult leader known as Ra's Al-Ghul...

When I first heard that Ken Watanable would be playing Ra's Al-Ghul, I worried. Why would a Japanese actor be brought on board to play a Middle Eastern villain (with a clearly Arabic name)?

Now my fan-boy wrath is up. Ra's Al-Ghul as ninja cult leader? What the...? Here's a description of Ra's Al-Ghul:

Ra's Al Ghul is the single most mysterious and cunning of Batman's foes. He does not associate with the criminally insane group of the rogues gallery. Ra's Al Ghul is a criminal like no other. No one knows exactly when he was born, but he claims to have been alive for over 600 years. His name translated means "The Demon's Head."

Ra's heads a worldwide criminal organization, whose mission is to purify a polluted planet, and restore nature to the dominion abridged by the human race, ultimately creating a better world where he would rule. He will use whatever means and force necessary to achieve his twisted vision of a new utopian society. Ra's is always accompanied by his faithful bodyguard, Ubu. His madness originates in the unique power source which maintains his body's appearance, The Lazarus Pit. It is a substance of unknown elements which replenishes the body, like a fountain of youth. The side affects however are spells of sheer madness. Being addicted to this substance for so long has dried any bit of morals and values for Ra's Al Ghul. He views himself as above any preset laws which are governed by mankind. He has many followers, and heads a cult like organization filled with men who will do his bidding. He is extremely dangerous and cunning.

His interest in Batman arose when he felt the Lazarus Pits affect was dwindling. Ra's feels he needs a male to be his successor. Since his only offspring is his daughter Talia, he has to choose a male to marry her that is worthy of becoming ruler of his vast empire. Ra's proves his resourcefulness to Batman by meeting the "Detective" as he calls him, in his own Batcave confirming that he knows his secret. Upon implementing many tests to prove whether Batman was worthy of becoming his successor, Ra's knew immediately he had found the one. But Batman refused numerous times, and thus Ra's believes that since he will not be with him, they must be against each other, as enemies. He is highly sophisticated and can be quite hypnotic. Ra's has returned many times after Batman thinks has foe had perished.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

What? No desire to see "The Invincible Iron Bat"?

I would say that... I just expect Terry McGinnis to be in the suit and for Bruce Wayne to be much older.

I think the armor would be less like Ironman and maybe more like a heavy duty type of kevlar.

I hope so as Wayne Tech has for a long time made a stance against building weapons. This is one of the reasons why Lex Luthor hates Bruce so much.

and a prototype armoured suit leads him to take on a new person

The real reason why this bugs me is that all the equipment in the cave, Batmoblie and all gadgets that Batman uses is designed and made by Alfred and Bruce. I don’t like the idea of anything be able to be traced back to his company. Its not the dotting the “I” and crossing the “T” that I expect from Batman. I expect him to be near flawless and much more of that “measure twice and cut once” type…. Actually with Bruce I would be disappointed if it was anything less than measure 5 times.

Also I agree with mmadsen on the Ken Watanable as Ra's Al-Ghul. It bugs me when they change a character like that. (Yes Halle Berry as Catwoman bugs me, and yes Michael Clarke Duncan as kingpin bugged me also, but less so. If you want to discuss those though go and start another thread.)