"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up."
Batman Begins....I don't even quite know where to start when I want to talk about this movie. It is just amazing in so many aspects. Although, many people would say that I have a bias because Christian Bale has been my favorite actor since I was a little kid. I remember hearing that Bale would be playing the iconic Batman, and becoming super excited. For me this was going to show everyone what an amazing actor Bale is and finally make him the household name he always deserved to be. (Even if he never really liked the attention. It doesn't mean that he doesn't deserve it.)
When Warner Brothers began to look into restarting the Batman franchise, there really could not have been anyone better than Nolan to take this task on. Batman has always been one of the more fascinating super heroes. He has always been so much darker than all of the others, and when one really stops to think about it, he doesn't have any "super powers." (My super hero knowledge is not that extensive, but I would like to say that I believe he is one of the only ones...please correct me if I a wrong!) The driving force behind Batman has always been his own metal state. (I don't mean crazy, I mean his thoughts and feelings) Being that Nolan seems to really be interested in the metal state of people, and how it effects them and the events that occur around them, what better person then to explore this character. I really loved that Nolan decided to focus on the idea of fear.
Fear is what made Batman who he is in every way. Bruce Wayne blames himself for the death of his parents, and he attributes that to his own developed fear of bats from when he fell down into a hole. Fear is what Bruce uses to train, and it is what he ultimately uses to create this symbol of Batman. To strike fear into the heart of his enemies. It is also what the villain uses to try to destroy Gotham City, a toxin to create fear and panic. Again he uses such a simple human emotion, a simple human reaction, and was able to rebuild an entire franchise around it.
As with everything though, a great script (and one of this magnitude) is nothing without a strong cast to support it. I really thought that Bale did a wonderful job as Bruce Wayne. He has always had this uncanny ability to really portray those darker and deeper characters. His Batman is where many people are divided. I did not think that his Batman was bad at all. I actually loved his Batman, especially in this movie. One really has to remember that this was the creation of Batman. He was still finding himself. Not only as an actor finding a character, but Bruce Wayne was still trying to discover WHO and WHAT Batman was himself. Just as this was a new character for Bale, this was a new character for Bruce. And if the only thing that you have to complain to be about is the voice. I am going to say right now....get over it. You are really just looking for something if that is all you have to say about the performance. Because re-watching the movie today, it really wasn't as bad as everyone really makes it out to be.
Now I know that Bale was not the only star in this movie, there are just so many to talk about. I really loved the choice of Gary Oldman for Gordon. I thought he was perfect for the role, and it was nice to see him in a role that is not quite what I am used to him playing. Cillian Murphy did a wonderful job as the creepy scarecrow, but he always does those roles justice. I also love seeing Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman and they were a nice balance to the sometimes impulsive Bruce Wayne. And of course it would be terrible to not mention the amazing Liam Nielson when discussing this movie, because everything is just ever better when he is around. Katie Holmes would be the only one that I really have any complaints about. I felt like everything seemed a bit forced with her, not very natural and honest, but that is just me. If that is my only complaint great movie! Nothing more to say.
Watch it right now....and get ready...because in less then 12 hours...the Dark Knight is going to rise for the last time with Nolan and Bale behind the wheel.
"Its' not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you."
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