Year: 2005
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
Written By: David S. Goyer, Jonathon Nolan, and Christopher Nolan
RYAN’S REVIEW
This movie caught us all by surprise, I don’t think anybody was expecting much from another Batman film, and the franchise reboot was a new and unfamiliar idea in 2005. I had never even heard of Christopher Nolan. I was aware of Memento and had heard good things, but I had not actually seen it. I knew of Christian Bale but he was by no means an A-list actor and not very well-known at the time, most of his movies didn’t have wide theatrical releases. These films are good but little known, films like Equilibrium, American Psycho, and The Machinist. The Machinist wasn’t great or anything but to see what Bale put himself through is really amazing. Nolan and Bale both became house hold names with this movie and that notoriety was well deserved. They took a franchise that was in the dump and turned it into one of the highest grossing franchises of all time, one that will rival Spiderman in the end, if not completely surpass it.
I followed this film very little during its production because I was so disappointed with the last Batman movie, Batman & Robin. I did not think the franchise could come back from that and not knowing the two biggest names in this movie I assumed that it wouldn’t be very good. I was happily proven wrong though. Amber and I were at Myrtle Beach and went to the theater to see it on a whim. I was blown away, I usually know so much about a film already before I go in I have certain expectations that are usually right on target. This movie caught me off guard, but this is the kind of surprise that I can appreciate. This movie is easily one of the best comic book films ever, and a movie that will always be remembered.
Christopher Nolan is one of the most exciting directors out there right now, I think he is the most exciting one actually. There are many great directors out there making great movies, but Nolan is different. At the center of all his films is a great and interesting story and his Batman is no different. David S. Goyer, who has been involved with several great comic book films wrote the script along with Nolan and his brother. Batman Begins is very well written and the performances are fantastic. Nolan always has many great actors on hand and he makes good use of him. I am a big fan of Ken Wantanabe, who Nolan has used more than once, he has a small but excellent part in the movie. Michael Caine is a Nolan regular, he makes a fantastic Alfred. Katie Holmes is the ever necessary hot chick. Her part was actually originally written to be Harvey Dent, but they needed a female lead so they made subtle changes to the script and changed the name to Rachel Dawes. Cillian Murphy, another Nolan regular is great as Scarecrow. Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Tom Wilkinson, and Rutger Hauer are all great. My wife would be mad at me if I didn’t make a special point to mention Liam Neeson, he is her favorite actor of all time, she is in love with him. Finally, Christian Bale as Batman. Some people criticize his voice as Batman but I think it was necessary for the role. Bale is great as Bruce Wayne, looking every bit the part and owning it. He is good as Batman too but he does lack an upper lip, making him look a little funny when he gets close-ups.
I am always running into people who tell me they have never seen this movie, less these days but it still happens regularly. I am shocked by that, especially since everyone has seen The Dark Knight. If you haven’t seen this movie then you are in luck, because you have something great and exciting to look forward to. This movie is more than worth your time.
AMBER’S REVIEW
I am not one for watching movies on vacation, but Ryan talked me into seeing this with him on our very first beach trip together. It was totally worth it. I thoroughly enjoy this film. I love the plot line and how we learn about how Bruce Wayne becomes Batman. It holds my attention throughout. Ryan and I have this inside joke that he tells everyone that I am completely in love with Liam Neeson. I think it stems from Love Actually, because I love the character he played in that film, but now it is an everlasting joke at me that I am in love with him. It kills me, but he finds it funny and continually finds ways to tell everyone, including you all. In any case, I think he plays a great character, and with every good movie there is a twist at the end. So this one is a definite must see.
The Movie Snobs 