(no subject)

[stakebait]

I saw Batman Begins on Friday. It rocked. I wonder if it worked as well for bigger fans of the comic than I am, because I adored it -- but part of why I adored it was that it answered many of the things I'm not able to suspend my disbelief on for comic conventions, in terms of both physical and psychological realism, without turning into two hours of fanwank.

There were really only two moments that lost me -- and BOTH turned out to be "it's not a mistake, it's a plot point" later on.

I've seen someone else say it was technically perfect but soulless, but I didn't find it so. I found Bruce's self-blame and self-imposed mission considerably more understandable and sympathetic, his relationship with Alfred more three dimensional, and Katie Holme's character more of an ethical goad than the too often shortchanged love interest. Though I did find her final verdict of "this is not your real face" kind of -- abrupt. I don't dispute the verdict, I just wonder where she saw enough of what we saw to make that call.

And it seemed a bit harsh, considering to what extent he bacame that to live up to her expectations. But then, she's a character who refused to ever alter her persona for her company, so I can see how the idea would not be something she could lend herself to as an active part.

I was much more interested in Bruce than in Batman, but that's me -- I like interpersonal drama and personal realisations and growth more than kicking the shit out of bad guys. The Arkham doctor was startlingly young but satisfyingly creepy, and I enjoyed the "everyone sincerely thinks they're right" and "personal loyalty at odds with moral belief on both sides" nature of his conflict with Ras al Ghul -- in some ways, it felt like how the final Anakin/Obi Wan showdown should have gone, though it shared a certain ability to not hit the point quite head on.

I also enjoyed the ways in which different eras of New York's history were echoed in the set design and costumes. (I'm sure other cities were too, but I don't know them so well.) Particularly the graffetti covered monorail, so very 70s subway in spite of the cell phones.

I've not become enough of a convert to want to go and seek out the sprawling Batverse across all its various media, but as a stand alone summer blockbuster it really worked for me -- a prime example of how explosions and car chases can fit seamlessly with good dialogue and complex characters.

It did not, however, rival the intensity of my reaction to Serenity. I'm STILL not ready to post about that, though at least I'm able to read this next round of preview reactions from others.

Comments

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

I really do like your review -- very on par with how I felt. I also loved the Neeson/Bale chemistry, very intense.

It did not, however, rival the intensity of my reaction to Serenity. I'm STILL not ready to post about that, though at least I'm able to read this next round of preview reactions from others.

There have been a bunch linked off Whedenesque that are by Firefly "newbies", all of whom liked it, so that's good news.

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[jadasc.livejournal.com]

his conflict with Raz Al Joul (spelling?)

Ras al Ghul. Ostensibly, "the demon's head."

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Will edit.

[dotsomething.livejournal.com]

I wonder if it worked as well for bigger fans of the comic than I am, because I adored it

I was wondering what you would make of this movie. I'm glad you liked it.

For those of us (such as myself) who are fairly immersed in the bat-verse (and have ideas about what the "gestalt" of the character should be), this movie was a freakin' gift from the movie gods. All over livejournal, people come back from seeing this movie and go "Eeeee!" or "omigod! somuchlove!!!"

I was much more interested in Bruce than in Batman, but that's me

It's not just you. My approach to the superhero stuff is, the fight scenes and plots make for a diverting background, but the really important thing is the relationships (this is why I watch Justice League Unlimited). I care about Batman because of the man beneath the cowl; it's his vulnerabilities that fascinate me and his human flaws as a person. That makes it all the more amazing when he suits up and gets all scary and kick-ass.

IMO, this was a good movie, as a movie, far beyond any fannish gleeing.

[thebratqueen.livejournal.com]

I was much more interested in Bruce than in Batman, but that's me

But he is Batman, and Bruce is just the persona... ;)

Sorry, just throwing my own bit of Batgeekery into the mix. One of my fav. moments done by the team who brought the absolutely kick-ass Batman to the animated series was in Batman Beyond when a villian tried to screw with people's heads by making them believe they were thinking whatever the villian wanted them to think. Bruce gets a great line in at the end about how he wasn't really fooled because when he talks to himself, he doesn't call himself Bruce.

I love crap like that. 8)

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

Hee! That's what The Holmes character said to him, essentially. And he didn't look like he liked it much, but he didn't deny it either. However most of this movie takes place before that's true, 'cause it's heavy on the origin story, and that was the part I was really into.

After he decided to be Batman understandably the focus shifted to the practicalities and how other people react to him as Batman and little things like saving the city. :) And that was fine (and very pretty) but it didn't have the same punch for me as when he was being the one who changed. Plus, mask. I miss the facial expressions, and the vulnerability, both of which he was deliberately hiding as Batman for obvious reasons.

[thebratqueen.livejournal.com]

True, true.

BTW, I googled the TWTHs. They're so cute and widdle! Sadly there weren't a lot of pictures of the interiors. Given that they're so small it's a shame he doesn't offer a 360 view of what it all looks like, as opposed to "here's the sink."

[(Anonymous)]

I know! I do get customization, but OTOH at least we'd have something to start envisioning from. I think I'd have to go see one in person before I plunked down mumblethousanddollars -- especially if I were going for one of the models that's smaller than my apartment.

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

Er, that was me, forgetting I'd deleted cookies.

[almeda.livejournal.com]

I've read elsewhere (not seen movie yet) that, despite the fact that Bale kicks much ass as an actor, it mighta been better to get someone with a chin-area that is (a) more visually distinctive, and (b) more expressive when he's acting. I remember clearly the phrase 'It was like putting a muppet in a cowl' from one review.

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

I'm having trouble thinking of actors with expressive chins. :)

It's true the difference was dramatic -- and I love the muppet line -- but OTOH I thought it worked, emphasizing how much the transition to Batman was precisely about concealing individuality in favor of becoming an icon -- not unlike the end of Elizabeth. Plus it meant his cowled-up self looked uncannily like a classic square jawed cartoon character without sacrificing a more mobile and appealing expression the rest of the time.

[preacherman01.livejournal.com]

But can you at least say yes or no to my earlier question about Serenity?
Was it good?
That all I need to know.

And also
The Batman movie was good on so many levels
And if George Lucas could direct people and not CGI charecters there would have been the same feeling between Liam and Ewen in his movie. But alas it waswhat it was.
And
The Doctor
Dr. Crane
Was played by the guy from 28 days later
Which just Shocked me when I found that out after.

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry! Yes, Serenity was good.

I never saw 28 Days Later. Any good?

[preacherman01.livejournal.com]

Yes,
And you get to blame the PETA people for the whole thing.
That always makes my day.

And I was supposed to ask you about it after you saw the movie but I thought that wasn't until next month.