A scarier Batman returns

Batman Begins

This is it! It’s the movie we’ve been waiting for and all I can say without holding back this is a DAMN GOOD MOVIE! Best so far in a series of movies based on a superhero. Even ranking high up there in the non superhero genre. This is a well crafted movie, kudos to director Nolan. DC’s got big points from me here after their disappointing Catwoman and LEOG (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen)and an a-ok Constantine.

I must say that I am really impressed by the script. It was really intelligent and funny at times without being cheesy. The story was engaging from the start. Little by little we are drawn into the world of Bruce Wayne and his transformation into Batman. The purpose from everything he do and why his costume is the way is it is. It answers a lot of questions here into his begginings. Being a fan, I found out there are lot of things I still didn’t know about him.

Nolan effectively crafted a world, a Gotham city truly reminiscent of the comic book world written by the best writers like Frank Miller, Alan Grant. The scene where Rachelle (Katie Holmes)was driving Bruce (Bale) around the city and turned downwards into the slum was a brilliant transition to show the dark gritty world beneath the skycrapers of the city. The mood was just perfect. Especially in the last scenes of the movie where the city was surrounded in mist, hell it was a lot scarier than those “Resident Evil” movies.

Christian Bale really deserves to wear the suit, despite being surrounded by a cast of big time actors like Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, he managed to deliver a performance to level with these actors. Though at times I thought Michael Caine’s presence was too strong to be Alfred the butler. Still all in all they did well.

Cinematography wise, I enjoyed the breathtaking landscapes in the earlier parts of the movie, Gotham was obviously CG but it was effective. Strong compositions here as well.

As for the villain, Scarecrow was just in the sideline here. He may be scary when he has his victims induced by his toxins, but there’s a bigger player here that I’m not going to mention. That said, I must say that Batman Begins is more about Batman and Bruce Wayne which is the point of the movie really and they succeded there. They have setup the stage and now we are drawn into this world. A dark and gritty world, where the Batman is all about cunning, stealth, skill and purpose, even scary at some scenes. Far away, thank god, from the last couple of Batman movie which were all Costumes and frizzle dazzle effects. (Good thing I haven’t seen the last two).

DC comics is on the right track here, from the last scenes of the movie I expect to see the same high caliber movie in it’s hinted sequel. Maybe this time we would see the villain shine. I also expect to see the same quality in their upcoming movies as well like “V for Vendetta” and especially the upcoming “Superman Returns”.