Batman Begins | Review

Despite the filmmakers’ best intentions, “Begins” is stiff, dull and predictable.

Guest Review by Gino Pagliuca

By now you know this is the re-launch to the Batman franchise. Forget the Burton and Schumacher visions of Gotham city pasts, this starts at ZERO. Promises from the creative team have been big from the very beginning. Chris Nolan had set out on a mission to make a realistic Super-hero film out of one of the richest comic book resources around. He assembled a great cast (Bale is great as Bruce / Batman), and a writer who knows his stuff, but the result? An over the top storyline, forced dialogue and contrived scenarios sadly lacking genuine excitement.

The origin of Batman is plucked right from the pages of the comic. We see Bruce Wayne’s transition from orphaned child to becoming Gotham’s billionaire playboy by day / caped crusader by night. His youth, his departure from home, his training and his inevitable return are depicted through a series of flashback sequences throughout the first half of the picture. We see what makes him scared, what makes him mad, who trains him and how he gets the costume and all those wonderful toys! Sounds interesting, but it’s really all about supply and demand. The batmobile serves as a perfect example as you can clearly see the elements that exist solely so we can see it action (and for the record, I didn’t even mind the new look of the car). Before Batman appears in a single frame it becomes clear that the film would deliver nothing new but a more serious (re: pretentious) addition to the already tired super-hero genre.

My favorite thing in Spider-man 2 (a fun, albeit flawed flick) was the relationship between Peter and Mary-Jane. It was somewhat broad, but it felt right. “Begins” lacks that weight between its characters, and in its scenes. There’s never any sense of genuine feelings, danger, adventure, excitement. It’s mostly predictable and straight forward no matter how well they try to cover it up. I liked Bale as Batman, and loved Caine as the Butler, but I never saw anything real develop between them. That goes double for Katie Holmes character who clearly has no purpose here and is part of at least 2 scenes that guarantee you’ll roll you eyes (if you do that sort of thing). And why does Batman’s “birth” coincide with the appearance of 2 major threats (Scarecrow and Ra’s Al Ghul’s mischievous mission)? One would have been enough, especially to tell this story, but I digress.

In a word, Batman’s new beginning is disappointing. Though the lights are turned lower it’s still just as campy as this franchises’ previous outings. When you consider how rushed scripts and film productions are its no wonder the result is something less then perfect. But with a great cast and crew, beautiful sets and high production value, it’s a shame to see it all compromised for such a poor screenplay. It’s clearly a great effort, but unfortunately it’s not the thought that counts.

Extra fun!!!
Batman Begins: The Shot Game. For this you’ll have to wait until the DVD comes out. Get 4 or more of your friends (anything less would be uncivilized), one or more bottles of your favorite alcoholic beverage. Huddle around the TV, line up the shots, and pop in the DVD. One of you will have to be pouring the drinks (and moonlighting as designated driver). Now every time someone says “fear” or “afraid” take a shot. If you’re planning on going past 15 minutes have the phone ready for a 911 call. If you attempt to make it to the end of the movie, may you rest in peace.

Rating 1.5 stars