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Batman Begins [Blu-ray] [2005] [US Import]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Just when you though that the Batman franchise was dead and buried--certainly after the abomination that was 1997’s Batman & Robin--along comes director Christopher Nolan to brilliantly bring it all back to life with the astonishingly strong Batman Begins.

Nolan, whose curriculum vitae already features Memento and Insomnia, focuses his attention where films in the franchise haven’t gone before--by examining that character of Batman himself. Thus, the story here is the genesis of the character, from the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents, harrowing training with the mysterious League of Shadows, right through to the Dark Knight’s first appearances on the street of a crime-ridden, moody Gotham City.

Nolan plays several trump cards in his take on the Batman legacy, and none pay off quite so handsomely as his casting. Christian Bale is an immense force in the dual role of Bruce Wayne and Batman, bringing a brooding anger and genuine unease to the Batsuit. He’s backed with strong turns from Tom Wilkinson, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, and Cillian Murphy as the unstable Scarecrow.

In spite of a last twenty minutes that can’t quite sustain the tone of what’s gone before, Batman Begins is a major achievement, and one of the finest superhero movies to date. Easily the best of the Dark Knight’s big screen adventures, it manages to be a blockbuster film that’s unpredictable, compulsive, superb to look at and well worth many repeated viewings. A staggering achievement, particularly considering the state the Batman franchise had got itself into.--Simon Brew


Pretty darn good entertainment!!!
Review date: 2008-08-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

This Batman film just shows that the who idea still works. Quite frankly, after the Michael Keaton/Val Kilmer/George Clooney efforts I was beginning to have my doubts.

Sure, there are one or two places where this film may be a bit slow, but on the whole I think that even those patches serve the purpose of explaining how Batman became Batman ... i.e. why the Bat bit. As always the gadgets are brilliant, the one liners excellently delivered and Batman's escapes truly unbelievable - in other words a proper Batman film!

Christian Bale is excellent as Batman, and Michael Caine just about perfect in the role as Alfred the butler - in fact, when I win the lottery and have to hire my own butler Michael Caine will be top of my list of candidates!!

In short this is a very good film. Brilliant entertainment, and one which you can easily watch more than once. Just go for it!!!

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Reviews


Great Movie
Review date: 2008-07-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

Now that's more like it. I'd like to start off with mentioning that a lot of people have said to me that the original Batman by Tim Burton was Good. I'd like to iterate that, in my opinion, that Batman movie by Burton was horrendous, and that's being nice. Now that that is out of the way, let's move on. I always knew that Christopher Nolan was a great Director (loved Memento, Insomnia and The Prestige). I have also felt that Batman/Bruce Wayne is an interesting and tormented character. In simple words, it requires a director who is good at exploring character to give this particular character justice. Christopher Nolan is that Director. I would go as far as to say that he is as good as Ridley Scott. The direction is great, the acting is brilliant, the story is good, the production design is amazing. The only complaint i have for this movie is the action. The camera is too close and the cuts are too quick. Otherwise, it couldn't have been better. It will be interesting to see what they do with The Joker in a sequel. Not much more i can say!

Bad title, bad cover, dull hero.
Review date: 2008-07-18 Rating: 6 out of 10

This film, I'm afraid gets a bit boring. It attempts to make the `creation' of Batman a real life possibility but never really convinces. At the first sign of fire he bursts into flames and melts his wings. The car isn't very cool and the idea of thinking Batman is quicker at getting through Gotham in a car anyway is a nonsense, so why does he have one at all?
The film starts with the clichéd going to seek some seemingly Tibetan wisdom. There is then a very long and over indulged initiation followed by the too hasty capture of a baddie - who isn't the real baddie and a pretty lame scarecrow story relating being poisoned and people being turned mad.
Tom Crusies wife is very difficult to watch - basically because she is so known as Tom Cruises wife and loses credibility and isn't all that great an actor. Also I think Katie is too young for the role and for that matter, so is the guy playing Batman.
But as the title suggests it is leading up to the sequel so we can perhaps forgive it all these things. It doesn't do the excellent job Iron Man does though in making a normal person a hero. But Batman is flawed because he cant spin webs and doesn't have a big jetpack to make him fly - so all he really is is a bit of a glider with some abseiling kit. Excited? No. Me neither.
Oh the stairwell sequence was filmed in St Pancras Station before they made it all new.


WOW
Review date: 2008-05-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

Well!! the best Batman yet!! Christian Bale adds that very dark and devious side to Batman. Let's face it most comic book hero's have a dark side.. More Christian Bale please. Looking forward to seeing Ed Norton as the Hulk now that's a challenge for Mr Ed.

At last Batman is given the darkness!
Review date: 2008-03-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

I knew Christian Bale would be good after seeing him in other movies but he surpassed all expectations to portray the characters of Bruce Wayne/Batman correctly. True fans know that Batman is who he is whereas Bruce Wayne is the alter-ego as he plays the playboy billionaire just to keep attention from Batman.
As for Christian Bale's Batman he is a brooding, vengeful character that displays the darkness in Batman's character. Truly superb!
The supporting list is full of renowned actors and the film is better for it. Michael Caine is excellent as the kindly Alfred and Morgan Freeman as his friend Fox.

Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Michael Caine
Ken Watanabe
Katie Holmes
Liam Neeson
Christian Bale

Creators:
Christian Bale (Primary Contributor)
Michael Caine (Primary Contributor)
Christopher Nolan (Writer)
Benjamin Melniker (Producer)
Charles Roven (Producer)
Cheryl A. Tkach (Producer)
Emma Thomas (Producer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 0085391115212
Binding: Blu-ray
Number of items: 1
Format: AC-3, Colour, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen,
Release date: 2008-07-08
Universal product code (UPC): 085391115212
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Running time: 140 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

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