Batman Begins [Blu-ray]

Genre : DVD ( Blu-ray )
Release : 2008/07/08
Price : $14.99

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Batman Begins discards the previous four films in the series and recasts the Caped Crusader as a fearsome avenging angel. That's good news, because the series, which had gotten off to a rousing start under Tim Burton, had gradually dissolved into self-parody by 1997's Batman & Robin. As the title implies, Batman Begins tells the story anew, when Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) flees Western civilization following the murder of his parents. He is taken in by a mysterious instructor named Ducard (Liam Neeson in another mentor role) and urged to become a ninja in the League of Shadows, but he instead returns to his native Gotham City resolved to end the mob rule that is strangling it. But are there forces even more sinister at hand?

Co-written by the team of David S. Goyer (a veteran comic book writer) and director Christopher Nolan (Memento), Batman Begins is a welcome return to the grim and gritty version of the Dark Knight, owing a great debt to the graphic novels that preceded it. It doesn't have the razzle dazzle, or the mass appeal, of Spider-Man 2 (though the Batmobile is cool), and retelling the origin means it starts slowly, like most "first" superhero movies. But it's certainly the best Bat-film since Burton's original, and one of the best superhero movies of its time. Bale cuts a good figure as Batman, intense and dangerous but with some of the lightheartedness Michael Keaton brought to the character. Michael Caine provides much of the film's humor as the family butler, Alfred, and as the love interest, Katie Holmes (Dawson's Creek) is surprisingly believable in her first adult role. Also featuring Gary Oldman as the young police officer Jim Gordon, Morgan Freeman as a Q-like gadgets expert, and Cillian Murphy as the vile Jonathan Crane. --David Horiuchi

in my mind,Batman Begins is easily one of the best superhero movies ever made.the movie basically tells the story of the genesis of the caped crusader.obviously,there is a fair amount of character development involved,which you would expect based on the title.but not so much that the film becomes tedious.Batman is shown as more of a full dimensional character than in previous incarnations..Director Christopher Nolan shows great skill as a director,pacing the film very well.there are also some touches of humour throughout and we get to see a more human side to Bruce Wayne.The villains are also more fully realized than in most movies of the genre,instead of simply being devices for the hero(the protagonist)to have a villain(antagonist)to defeat.Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are standouts in their respective roles,as is Liam Neeson.Katie Holmes has yet to reach the level of maturity require for her role,so she is a bit weak.This Batman movie is less cartoonish than previous efforts,and is closer to the realm of realism(relatively speaking).the movie is also more thoughtful than many movies depicting superheros.there is much more substance.in fact more substance than style,though it is just stylistic enough.All in all a brilliant depiction of the origin of the caped crusader. 5/5

Put aside all the campy gadgets and poor humor, trade the glossy chicmobile in for a ...black....tank, forget the "BAM! SOCK! AND POW!" cue cards, add a dash of Morgan Freeman, a cup of Katie Holmes, an exceptionally English Michael Caine, Liam Neeson as an uncommonly convincing villain, and Christian Bale as the most believable Batman ever and you have the perfect recipe for the redemption of what Batman always should have been!

What makes any movie great and worth watching is story - Christopher Nolan and company knocked this one out of the park. It is a rare occasion for me to buy a movie for my collection at home. It HAS to have a great story, it has to make me forget I'm watching a movie, it has to make me care about the characters, it has to have a great score, it has to take me from the quiet burbs to some great locations and it has to be something I want to watch over and over again ~ This one came home with no reservation ~

To quote Dr. Schneider (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) This movie had me "giddy as a school boy!" from start to finish.

To quote the guys that get paid to say this kind of stuff, "Two Thumbs Way Up!"

Terrific introduction to the Dark Knight legend. This movie and its sequel assured that Mr Chris Nolan did the best job ever with the caped crusader movies. I already own it in DVD but had to buy the BD version. Specially with a less than $10 price, it is a MUST buy.

It was about time we saw the original roots and essence of Batman; what made him become Batman? What did the Bat represent? All other Batman movies had certain flaws: The first two Batman movies (Batman and Batman Returns by Tim Burton) focused mainly on the enemy instead of the Dark Knight itself. The previous two were just garbage.

We see here a Bruce Wayne with fear - something that you didn't see in the previous cape crusader films - and his internal side and reaction towards his parent's death. A more focus on the man without the mask and suit.

With an important cast that delivered exceptional performances; Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, Christian Bale and Liam Neeson (who in my opinion gave the best performance in the film); Batman Begins was the Batman movie we were all waiting for.

Excellent movie! Great acting especially Heath Ledger "RIP." The action can be a little overwhelming sometimes. I was not too found of Christian Bale's cheesy batman voice or the fact that katey holmes character was replaced by a woman that looks nothing like her and is ugly. Overall this is a great movie though.