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Post by Longbowhunter on Jun 15, 2005 21:55:19 GMT -5
Heres my thoughts a little more in depth from a review I sent to my friend...
THE GOOD 1.Chrisitan Bale does a pretty good job of playing Batman.He really seems to understand the character and have a feel for how he should act-as both Bruce and Batman.And when hes in Batman mood I swear hes trying to channel Kevin Conroy.Its nice to see an actor actually try to give Batman a seperate voice instead of just using the same tone for both characters.The only bad part is he slips up a couple of times and loses the voice.He also does a good job in the fight scenes...in fact ALL the fight scenes are done quite well.They dont seem "pretty" and instead look like real street fights.
2.Liam Neeson as Ras Al...er I mean Ducard....err,aaa,I mean Quin Gon Ramirez....as whoever the hell he plays.The older bad-butt mentor to a fanboy character seems to be Liam Neesons main source of income these days but he does it well.
3.Alfred-Notice I dont say Michael Caine.As much as I love Michael Cain I think it was a mistake to cast such a big name in the role...everytime hes on screen you feel like you are watching MICHAEL CAIN as alfred instead of just the character.But Alfred is written VERY well in this film and for the first time in live-action he really seems like Alfred.Hands down this is the best live-action Alfred we have seen yet,but the animated version still kicks his butt.
4.The Special Effects-in this day and age I never thought I would ever again praise a film for its special effects...or in this case lack of effects.A lot of this film was filmed on location on real-honest-to-goodness sets(imagine that) and what CGI there was was used somehwhat sparingly.The best effects are the ones dealing with that people see under the effects of fear gas...especially how people who are gassed see Batman.
5.The Batmobile-yeah I know it looks ugly as hell and has been hyped to death,but it kind of grows on you and the car chase scene is pretty cool.It reminds me of the Bat-Tank from Dark Knight which is cool.On a related note,many of the Batmobile scenes were filmed on the same city streets as the car scenes from The Blues Brothers....and its always nice to see massive amounts of Police Cars getting wrecked on the streets of Chicago.
6.Year One-there are a ton of Year One references throughout the film and they work really well.Flass,Gordon,Commissioner Loeb,Falcone,all these characters look like they stepped right off a Frank Miller comic page...except Flass,who looks more like Eckhardt from the first film.My only complaint is Oldmans Gordon.While he LOOKS like Gordon,something about his performance seems...odd.Its almost like he underplays the character...still its better than the way Gordons been played before so its hard to complain
THE BAD
1.The Story-While not as bad as I expected,it is fairly predictable.Its the exact same script I read over a year and a half ago and I'm very surprised that the WB didnt change the ending especially since it leaked to the net so far in advance.The love interest and the concept of having 2 villians just for the sake of having 2 villians is a lame leftover from the Burton/Schumacher era and needs to be dropped in the sequels...its time to move on,WB and stop using the same formula
2.The Stars-I love Michael Cain and Morgan Freeman and Rutger Hauer.But its distracting to see such major stars playing these established characters from the comics.It might be different if they actually looked like the character they were supposed to be playing,but they dont.It kind of takes you out of the movie in much the same way seeing Sam Jackson does in Star Wars.And Rutgers character is really 2-dimensional...he doesnt have much to do except stand around and be The Bad Guy.
3.The Dialogue-The writing in this movie is weird.It almost seems "overwritten"...instead of letting characters emote through body language and facial expressions,every character gets a long,rambling speech that explains exactly what they are feeling.There are some good lines,but the bad ones are really bad.A lot of the times the people in this movie say things that people in real life would never say.Thats really the only way I can explain it.
4.Katie Holmes-Her character sucks and is unnecessarry.Her character has actually changed quite a lot since the version of the script I read but she still serves no real purpose.There is one good scene with her and Bruce at the very end of the movie though that almost makes up for her suckiness...but not quite.If Bruce HAD to have a love interest in this film,why the hell didnt they use Talia? ESPECIALLY since this is a film about Ras ? Talk about a missed opportunity....
And thats about it.There are a few other things that are hit or miss but that covers it for the most part.I definitely reccomend seeing it.Its probably the best live action Bat-film to date and really serves as more of a starter film for the franchise....the sequel could REALLY kick butt if they do it right.
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mike621
Legions Of Gothamite
Posts: 72
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Post by mike621 on Jun 15, 2005 22:07:03 GMT -5
The only reason I can think of is that they already had Katie Holmes already casted as the love interest.
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Post by PJ on Jun 15, 2005 22:17:10 GMT -5
Well, I saw it at 10:40 this morning and loved it. I had tried to stay away from all the spoilers since day one, but I fell victom to the Batman Begins "Junior Novel" book my daughter got me through her Schoolastic book order. I ended up reading it on Monday night so I knew what was going to happen...Still I thought it was great! I did have a couple of minor complaints, but I won't talk about them just yet as not to spoil it for anyone. By far my favorate part of the movie was when Bats was interrogating Flass...I said to myself "Now That's Batman." I can't wait to add this to my DVD collection when it gets released. PJ
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Post by gotham95 on Jun 15, 2005 22:22:51 GMT -5
One thing I didn't mention that I liked was the LACK of rock/pop songs. It seems to be the trend lately to put songs into super hero movies and I'm gad they did not with BEGINS!
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Post by hardrockbatman00 on Jun 15, 2005 22:23:12 GMT -5
IMO...the good EVERYTHING,,,,the Bad,,,just about nothing...it wasnt perfect, but Nolan did a great job! Bale was fantastic! hands down 2 thumbs up!~
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Batleaf93
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 234
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Post by Batleaf93 on Jun 15, 2005 22:46:06 GMT -5
PERFECT THE BEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN BY FAR! BALE IS THE MAN THE BEST BATMAN EVER THE WHOLE CAST WAS GREAT THE FIGHT SCENES WERE AMAZING THE PLOT THE LOOK AND THE FEEL OF THIS MOVIE WAS EVERY THING I EVER WANTED IN A BATMAN MOVIE OR IN A MOVIE IN GENERAL. I WILL NOT SLEEP TONIGHT THATS HOW GREAT IT WAS. I AM GOING TO SEE THIS FILM AT LEAST 3 MORE TIMES THIS SUMMER. I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW
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Post by Arkham16 on Jun 15, 2005 22:48:18 GMT -5
Alright i saw the 1:00 pm showing with my friend and mother (sadly my bro couldn't make it). First off i read the script awhile back and the junior novelization and i've seen so many clips and behind the scenes i couldn't wait. I thought i knew everything. BUT there was somethings in the movie, the little touches and images that the script/book just didn't mention. The little touches of flashbacks of Thomas and the demonic batman, along with the stunning special effects that actually made my adrenaline kick in and want to run. IT was Great. Nothing can compare to it. I couldn't explain it afterwards. It was a comic book movie but it was unlike any other comic book movie or any movie for that matter. I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen. The audience was full and cheering. After it ended and the extra large drink had to make it's way back i went into the bathroom and the guys in line for the restroom had the best feedback i've ever heard for a film. "phenomenal", "incompariable", "i'm still shaking", and my favorite statement "i need a drink after watching that. Seeing that was...i need a DRINK!". I couldn't believe how good the movie was, it was the best movie ever. My dad wants to see it and he has never seen a single comic book movie. THe only way he wants to see the movie is if there is alot of action, barely any story, and glimpses of nudity. BUT he WANTS to see it. He doesn't want it ruined. That's how good it was! Great...just friggin Great!!!
EDIT!!! Anyone else notice that Gotham only has an assisstant D.A. now...i wonder who will be the head D. A., maybe HARVEY DENT!? The rachel character is really not needed now, except to be a love interest. She basically turned him down as long as batman was needed and that will be a long time. Now that there are more "good People" in Gotham maybe she wont have to stay. She was pretty good but just not crucial to keep around.
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Post by HUSH on Jun 15, 2005 23:07:59 GMT -5
What can I say? I've waited almost a year for tonight, and now that I've seen it, I couldn't be happier that I've waited!!!!!That was the best comic book movie ever, IMO, and I'd even say it's one of the top Batman stories, too(altho in that category it isn't #1), but WOW. I knew I was waiting for a good reason! I also thought the twist in the story was very well hidden and then executed. *SPOILERS AHEAD* . . . . . The thought never crossed my mind that Ducard could actually be Ra's al Ghul! Also, if Scarecrow were supposed to be more than Ra's' pon in the story, I might be a little peeved that he didn't do more in the movie, but I know that he wasn't the main villain of the movie after all, and wasn't meant to be, even tho that's what I was expecting. What a night! I'm going to have to see it again, on IMAX this time!!!
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JGuy80
Legions Of Gothamite
Posts: 46
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Post by JGuy80 on Jun 15, 2005 23:58:52 GMT -5
Simply awesome movie. Amazing. It could have used a Batman Theme though, like in the first movie. So, Ducard is really Al Ghul? So, who's the Chinese dude?
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Post by BullocK on Jun 16, 2005 0:00:12 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]This is the best Batman film ever. Hands down. They finally got it right. I can't think of any cons at the moment because I'm still jazzed. The interaction between Bruce and Alfred, & Bats and Gordon were fantastic. Cillian Murphy did a bang up job as Scarecrow, and seeing the effects of the fear gas was incredible. (Especially the first time when you see what Bats looks like to someone who has been affected.) The twist at the end surprised me, mainly because I've done everything for the last year to avoid being spoiled.
I can't get over it...they finally got it right! I'll be certain to see this a few more times before it hits DVD.[/shadow]
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The BaTbUm
Legions Of Gothamite
Just because were bums, don't mean we don't steal comics
Posts: 42
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Post by The BaTbUm on Jun 16, 2005 0:11:16 GMT -5
just got back from seeing it, very cool, like the little jokes and stuff. Kinda weird voice when he is talking as batman though.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2005 0:16:57 GMT -5
WOW!! I can't believe we got this great of a Batman movie! When I first heard him speak in his Batman voice, I thought I would pee myself! Christian did even better than I imagined. Fantastic job guys!
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Post by wayneson on Jun 16, 2005 0:40:26 GMT -5
Just saw the film...wow. Loved it from start to finish...and what a finish! I'm so glad I avoided the spoilers on this film. It's funny; I remember telling myself that Neeson really looks more like Ra's Al Ghul - I wish he had been cast instead of Watanabe for the role. Oldham is perfect as Gordon, Freeman as Lucious Fox was a delight, even Katie Holmes played her part well. Bale is so good it's hard to describe...so much better than anyone playing the role before him. My favorite moments: -In a nod to Burton's 1989 film, the Dark Knight tells Falcone "I'm Batman" - the place went nuts! -Batman tells the homeless guy "nice coat" -Crane casually asks Falcone "have you seen my mask?" -all the scenes with Lucious Fox -the final scene with the "calling card" I could go on and on about this film, but it's late...in short, it is all we have hoped for and more - unbelieveable! ;D Neeson was Ras al ghul. Yeah, I know that now, Kryptonian. But he was cast as the Ducard character, with Watanabe as Ra's. My point was that I thought, at the time of the announcement of the cast, that Neeson was better suited for Ra's than Watanabe, at least in a visual sense. Obviously I was right - but I didn't find out until about 2:00 AM last night.
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Post by RJ on Jun 16, 2005 0:44:18 GMT -5
Considering we've all waited 8 years for another Batman movie to be released in theaters, this one really hit the nail on the head. IMO, it was an amazing film, there were a few points that bothered me, but the movie in general, really put the franchise back on track. Did anyone notice that Alfred mentioned to Bruce that his family used the caverns as part of the Underground Railroad? I was impressed by that because it really showed how well thought out, and researched this film was. Can not wait for the next one, it'll be interesting to see how Nolan does the Joker in keeping line with his realistic style. My friend pointed out to me that at the end Gordon tells Batman that if he stays, the problems and the villains will become more inventive and theatrical. Just some food for thought.
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Post by Sam Hain on Jun 16, 2005 0:46:59 GMT -5
Ras/Ducard- Liam played it well. Does this mean Mattel will be relabeling the toy line now that the twist is out? I was wondering the same thing. I wonder if that's why they waited to release the figure. Anyway, incredible film. It was easily the best Batman movie ever made. It blew me away. The ending gave me chills. I can't wait for the sequel.
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Post by stu14001 on Jun 16, 2005 0:51:51 GMT -5
Just got in from the late show. The place was packed except for a few in the front and everyone there got there money's worth! Not only was it the best Batman movie of all time, but the best superhero one too. People cheered and laughed throughout the movie and some chick by me even cried when Wayne's parents got shot up.
The story, actors and dialouge all seemed to click. I was spectical about Holmes but she did fine as well. The Joker card at the end was awesome!!
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Post by TheKryptonian on Jun 16, 2005 0:59:46 GMT -5
Yeah, I know that now, Kryptonian. But he was cast as the Ducard character, with Watanabe as Ra's. My point was that I thought, at the time of the announcement of the cast, that Neeson was better suited for Ra's than Watanabe, at least in a visual sense. Obviously I was right - but I didn't find out until about 2:00 AM last night. Ok sorry I thought maybe you still didn't know,so I thought I would tell you. I always thought that too when I had seen the casting that liam looked more Ghul. Like looking at my Hush Ras I just thought to myself he was better suited for the part. Sorry didn't mean to imply you were stupid or anything.
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kolawan
Legions Of Gothamite
Posts: 44
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Post by kolawan on Jun 16, 2005 1:16:39 GMT -5
Well I missed the twist of Ducard/Ra's part. It seemed like maybe our film was cut, and there was a weird splice at one point. So maybe the twist was accidently cut out of the version I saw? I was totally enthralled with the entire movie and couldn't think that I would miss something like this. Could somebody tell me what was roughly said and what happened during the twist?
Overall the movie rocked!!! This movie made me feel the same way I did when I walked out of the first Batman movie on opening day!!! The BATMAN is back!! Perfect story, acting, everything! I loved how it merged many different comic storylines into one movie: Year One, Zsaz from Knightfall, No Man's Land, etc. The Tumbler was a very cool Batmobile. Definately makes up for the crap cars (and movies for that matter) that were in the last two movies. It's a great summer to be a Batman and Star Wars fan!!!
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Post by /\/\att on Jun 16, 2005 2:51:42 GMT -5
Well I missed the twist of Ducard/Ra's part. It seemed like maybe our film was cut, and there was a weird splice at one point. So maybe the twist was accidently cut out of the version I saw? I was totally enthralled with the entire movie and couldn't think that I would miss something like this. Could somebody tell me what was roughly said and what happened during the twist? Overall the movie rocked!!! This movie made me feel the same way I did when I walked out of the first Batman movie on opening day!!! The BATMAN is back!! Perfect story, acting, everything! I loved how it merged many different comic storylines into one movie: Year One, Zsaz from Knightfall, No Man's Land, etc. The Tumbler was a very cool Batmobile. Definately makes up for the crap cars (and movies for that matter) that were in the last two movies. It's a great summer to be a Batman and Star Wars fan!!! SPOILERS - Bruce comes to the revelation, when Ra's shows up at a birthday party of his..and of course its not really Ra's..its another "stand-in"....he then turns to see Ducard and knows the situation.
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Post by Batguy1966 on Jun 16, 2005 8:24:42 GMT -5
5 stars, as close to perfect Batman move as hollywood will ever get made.
the good
I still dont like the costume but Bales portrayel of Bruce Wayne AND Batman is perfect.
I was up in the air but I LOVE the new Batmobile.
Batman was actually SCARY it the first time they've gotten that right.
minor complaints I thought the ending was a little to brief, I mean all of those people were still affected by the gas that Lucias says its would take months to make more antidote for. and Scarecrow got away.
Batman did not want to kill one guy but its ok to blow up a building and kill 25 guys (including the one he did not want to kill in the first place).
Joe Chill I understand the point of justice VS vengeance/revenge thing but I just did not like the idea of catching the guy right away I thought the unsolved murder of his parents was important.
minor plot things
still a great movie
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andyh40
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
"Atomic batteries to power...turbines to speed..."
Posts: 192
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Post by andyh40 on Jun 16, 2005 9:35:18 GMT -5
Watched the movie last night...one word...FANTASTIC!!! Like everyone else is saying...this is THE Batman movie we fans have been craving all our lives! I purposely did not allow myself to get hyped up over this movie too much, because, frankly...I had my doubts. The suit, the Tumbler, Katie Holmes...I had some concerns. All of that went out the window after the first 5 mintues of the movie. The origin went by SO fast, the way IMO, a movie origin should. Then, the last hour and twenty minutes, pure story and action! I must add my voice to others about the fight scenes being confusing. They were...but, somehow, I didn't care! All I cared about was seeing the Dark Knight. Besides, the final battle with Neeson was great! I was very pleased that the second part of the movie was all about Batman...Batman the detective...Batman the scientist...Batman the pursuer! I can't say more about how Nolan nailed the character! I wait with baited breadth for the next installment...Batman Continues...!
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Post by Patronus on Jun 16, 2005 10:00:12 GMT -5
I saw the film last night and like everyone else, absolutely loved it.
It was close to perfect. There were a couple of minor complaints, but nothing to make me dislike the film.
I am working on an "official review" today for my blog and for a site I sometimes write for and I'll post that up as soon as it's ready.
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Post by Robin on Jun 16, 2005 10:08:01 GMT -5
I went again last night and it's way better the second time then it is the first! The first time I seen it I was anxious for them to show Batman. But the second time I appreciated the movie as a whole. It's such an awesome movie. There's so many great scenes I can't mention them all.
BEST BATMAN MOVIE EVER!
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Post by Batlaw on Jun 16, 2005 11:18:00 GMT -5
Went last night. It deffinately has it's pros but I would be lying if I didnt admit it had it's share of cons as well IMO. Overall I give it high marks and think it's worthy of "most" of the praise it's receiving. I also plan on getting into more detail later.
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Post by gotham95 on Jun 16, 2005 13:12:20 GMT -5
I took my wife to see it last night and she liked it. She called her dad and told him (Spider-Man fan) that she liked it better than the last 4 Batman movies. She said she'd like to see it again.
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Post by wayneson on Jun 16, 2005 13:21:23 GMT -5
Interesting post, Batlaw. I think that many of us will have some second thoughts about the film once the initial buzz wears off. I think it is inevitable; speaking for myself, I was so jazzed when I walked out of the theater Tuesday night at 2:45 in the morning all I could think about were the parts that were absolutely spot-on RIGHT - now, two days later, there are a few points that seemed a little off: - as another person mentioned, what happened to the Ninja assassins during Wayne's fight with Ra's - why didn't they whisk Ducard (the real Ra's) away as soon as the fire started? - There seemed to be a decision made at some point before the release of this film to bring the perspective of the camera IN a great deal; if you look at the 10 minute preview on Smallville last month, those scenes had a perspective that was pulled back a great deal from how the film looks now. Specifically, I'm thinking of two scenes: - in the subway where Rachel shoots the Taser gun at Batman we see a lot more of the background and full heighth of the character - in the film the shot is pretty much waist-up only - the final shot of Batman swinging towards the camera was much broader and pulled back in the preview, with the full arc of the swing in view; in the film it's zoomed in much more, with only part of the arc of the swing visible I'm wondering if these types of camera perspective decisions were part of the reason why many have expressed dismay at their inability to really see what was going on in the fight scenes. We all understand that the director wanted the viewer to feel like part of the action, and that part of that feel is not knowing where Batman is or where he is coming from, but it seems as though that could have been established by interweaving some of the close-in shots with other shots that were pulled back; I really wanted to see the fighting style and what its effect was on the criminals, which was impossible to see. - I wanted more Scarecrow! We all wanted to see Nolan's vision for this character, and especially the effects of the fear gas. There were glimpses, but I thought that there could have been a lot more - what was there was fantastic, but Murphy was so great in the role that I think he deserved a lot more screen time. I would love to hear what others think - maybe a mod should move this and start a new thread - something like "Problems with "Batman Begins"? I'll grant you this - it's a pretty short topic to discuss.
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Post by JokerFC on Jun 16, 2005 17:38:33 GMT -5
this movie was excellent for me it topped 89 easily and thats saying something seeing the HUGE Joker Mark I am. I feel totally rewarded-I had guessed a while back that Ras and Ducard were one and the same and it was excellently done. I am one of the few people here that say the villains should die-not by Batmans hand-no way no how but through circumstances of their own plan(like Joker in 89)and I was delighted to see that nolan accomplished this well with Ras demise. Lucius Fox was so well done it was unbelievable. Alfred was excellent-"what good are all these push-ups if you cant lift a bloody log?"-priceless. Bale was awesome best Batman by far and away-no contest. anyone who lacked faith in Cillian Murphy shame on you-he was perfect as the dulcet toned Crane-always what i imagined him to be-and he is still out there. Katie Holmes-IMO totally superflous to the plot-but she doesnt deserve the backlash from the critics I thought she done well. and the best part? "he is an armed robber ,like you has a flair for the dramatic and he always leaves one of these" -the screams in the cinema nearly deafened me and I was shouting YEAH as loudly as anyone.move away from the ametuer stylings of Ras and the Scarecrow here comes the MAIN EVENT-The Joker
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eldridge
Legions Of Gothamite
Batman. Greatest. Ever.
Posts: 37
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Post by eldridge on Jun 16, 2005 18:54:44 GMT -5
the part where i screamed the most? "SWEAR TO ME!!!" ahhhhhhhhh!!! i live in Manila and it is really, not in the social context in the theaters that one would scream or clap or yell during or at the end of the movie, but i didn't care, after the movie, i stood up and applauded, pretty much everyone else clapped too ;D yahoooo!!!!!!!!!!!! BATMAN HAS INDEED BEGUN!!!!
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Post by HUSH on Jun 16, 2005 19:45:44 GMT -5
Simply awesome movie. Amazing. It could have used a Batman Theme though, like in the first movie. So, Ducard is really Al Ghul? So, who's the Chinese dude? The guy who was pretending to be Ra's was probably just a warrior from the League of Shadows, under the real Ra's command. In fact, he'd have to be a League warrior, because when Ra's' fortress in the Himalayas was going down in flames and explosions because of Bruce, the fake Ra's engaged Bruce in a swordfight, and was a pretty damn good fighter, until that debris fell on him and killed him.
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Post by TheBatmanofTx on Jun 16, 2005 20:53:17 GMT -5
WOW WHAT A AWESOME MOVIE! I was lucky enough to see it with 4 friends at midnight. And we had the theatre closed accept for us. I was in my Batman suit when i watched it the first time , and man was it amazing. I was so happy when they said Joe Chills name. I was really hoping theyd make him the killer of Batmans family. OOps i meen bruce. lol. There are Sooooooooo many great things in the movie. Like when i saw Mr. Zsasz Scars i got goosebumps all over. The fight scenes were awesome and i loved batmans interrigation. This movie had alot of Humor , which was really cool. Espically when scarecrow got jacked up by that tazer. I know im rambling but theres no 1 in my town who has a respect for the film and character like me so i turn to my other family the LOG. My most fav part though was when mr. Gordan told batman about the new killer , charged with armed robbery, double homicide and has a taste of the theatrics like batman. And whenever gordAN said " This 1 leaves a calling card" i jumped out of my seat and screamed YESSSSSSS lol It was such a great movie. I had to go to the other showings as Batman as well ( all 4 of em) so my cout is up 2 watching it 4 times and now im heading for the Imax. Thanks WB for the wonderful re-birth of our hero - TonEy
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