Rate Batman Begins

[Krug]

Man this was great, except for some choppy editing for the action sequences. Great dialogue and story, and washed away the bad taste of the last two Batman movies. 9/10. Best summer movie so far this year.

 

[Quasqueton]

IMO, anyone complaining about the fight scenes misses the point completely. The fight scenes in Batman Begins are filmed horror-movie style rather than action-movie style, with the hero in the monster's part. It's an amazing twist and superbly done if one doesn't go into it expecting "superhero movie" fights.

I was fine with the fight scenes, and I agree with the above.

I gave the movie a 9. I would have given a 9.5 [though not possible in this scale] but for the car chase scene. I kept thinking of all the property damage and all the potential for an innocent bystander to be injured or killed (lots of debris). Not heroic.

I liked the '89 Batman OK. It was a comic book movie. I didn't like any of the following franchise movies. This movie, though, was more than a comic book movie. I've never been a big fan of Batman. I always saw him as cocky, spoiled (I got powers 'cause I bought 'em), and angsty because it set him apart from other heroes. This movie sold me on Batman.

Gordon: "I never got to say 'Thank you.'"

Batman: "And you'll never have to."

By god, but *that* is a hero.

Quasqueton

 

[Hijinks]

It's weakness; Katie Holmes - don't get me wrong she is cute and a fine actress but I am media'd out on her and all things Tom, I think this hurt the movie.

I heard a movie critic on the Today show this morning talking about how the Cruise-Holmes real-life saga currently going on is the only thing boosting sales of tickets for this film. The critic was bemoaning the fact that now actors/actresses will have to create real-life drama to encourage big box-office. I thought it sort of odd that this is the thinking in Hollywood; there wasn't any drama between actors for Revenge of the Sith and it still did very well at the box office. I think Hollywood is once again ignoring the fan base - which is what's really making the money for the film - and expects real life drama to reel in the bucks. Sad.

 

[Desdichado]

Yeah, my wife saw that too. I should point out, though, that Leonard Maltin is one of very few critics who doesn't like this movie.

And him linking Katie Holmes real-life romance to the movie sales is just insulting and petty, IMO.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

I didn't mind Katie Holmes' Rachel character.

If and when the new francise goes on, I wonder if they will do anything with the characters of Salina Kyle, Talia Head, Pamala Isley, Vickie Vale and any other women who have become involved eith Bats over the years.

The Scarecrow was great, too, except that he was much more terrifying without the mask. Great casting, great job.

The actor (Cillian Murphy?) was also good in 28 Days Later. The Scarecrow was a good choice, a warm up that worked well with the large LOS but did not pose too much trouble for Batman. That role is reserve for the Joker.

Liam Neeson was... well, the same role he's been playing in pretty much every movie lately...

Really? At what point do you think Ducard sat down with Bruce and quizzed him about his sexual history?

 

[Jamdin]

I give Batman Begins a 9 since it basically updated the mythos for a new generation.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The opera was actually "Der Fledermaus." ("The Bat.")

 

[Kai Lord]

I gave it a solid 9. Had no problem whatsoever with the fight scenes. Batman picking off goons "Predator"-style was freaking wicked.

 

[fanboy2000]

I am media'd out on her and all things Tom, I think this hurt the movie.

(Okay, I know, someone is going to point out how much I liked Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the media of the stars, the difference: the public display.)

See, you should follow Fanboy's Pre-Movie Enjoyment Plan(TM) and not follow movie star gosip. I find I enjoy movies a lot more when I know nothing about an actor's personal life.

Sadly, I can't always follow my own plan. I'll be listening to the radio and sudenly be accosted with movie star gosip. Fortunately, I have lots of pre-sets

The change from Zorro to opera is one that I like, now that I've seen the whole movie. It changes Bruces movtivations from simply revenge to guilt+revenge. There would have been no motivation for Bruce to want to leave early if it had been a Zorro movie. Leaving early allowed them to leave when the streets were less croweded, and the kind of confrontation that the Wayne's die in is more credible with fewer people around.

 

[Abraxas]

See, you should follow Fanboy's Pre-Movie Enjoyment Plan(TM) and not follow movie star gosip. I find I enjoy movies a lot more when I know nothing about an actor's personal life.

I'll second this - there are too many actors around now that if they are in a film I won't go see it cause I'm not going to subsidize wackos - If I listened to any more there won't be any movies I'll be able to watch.

I gave it a soild 9. The weapon from "Simon Bar Sinister's big book of fiendish machines" and Katie Holmes are what knocked it down from a 10.

I thought the soundtrack was great and am definitely going to be picking it up.
I really liked the fight scenes (its the only time that I've ever liked shaky cam).
I really liked the Scarecrow (the only other costumed villain in the Batman movies since the 60's that I liked was Carrey's Riddler).
Bale is the best Bruce Wayne/Batman so far (and I also liked RoF).
And overall I liked everyone in the cast, not one of those actors is on my "Boy do they Bug Me" list.