Sorry but the term "overrated" is so overrated. All it means is that you disagree with the vast majority of people (the over) who loved (rated) the film, and nothing more. The film is one of the few films that lives up to its reputation.
Actually, "overrated" means 'to overestimate the merits of; rate too highly.'
The Burton films are brooding and operatic.
The Schumacher films are bombastic and fun.
"The Dark Knight" is sweeping and tragically epic.
Out of all 6 of them, "Begins" feels the clunkiest. After "Batman & Robin" tanked, Warners kept it's eye on the property more than ever.
"Begins," to me, felt like Nolan was trying to push the character in all these directions while Warners was simultaneously remaining skeptically vigilant and restraining him.
A good deal of the film is spectacular and awesome...but there are moments that just feel...I don't know...like that have 'Studio Involvement' written all over them. And while 'Studio Involvement' is both a given and not always a bad thing...we've already seen what 'Studio Involvement' could do to Batman.
Thank god they unleashed him enough for "TDK." Though one now has to wonder how much MORE leverage he might be granted for "BB3" which could in turn be a positive or a negative...who knows at this point...
But for "Begins" to recieve the amount of blind praise that it did was a tad...much. Even from me, a hardcore Batman fan (of the character, not naively of one singular version or interpretation).
It's the same situation as the first two X-Men films...or the transition from 'Star Wars' to 'The Empire Strikes Back'. Now that we have a sleek and infinately superior sequel, the flaws of the original film are heightened...to a great degree.
But even without "TDK" ... "Begins" certainly didn't warrant fans worshipping it the way they did/do...and thusly it's "overrated."
I know but placing BB almost dead last suggests you are trying to make a point not because you really believe it is nearly as bad as the awfully bad montage in B&R.
No I generally feel that it's not as good a suit up as the films I ranked before it. There was no point to be made.
He wasn't posing at all. What's wrong with showing him throw his suit on for the first time in the film? It's over in a good 10-15 seconds. And how exactly was it butchered by editing? Easy to say but can you back up how it is "butchered". It worked perfectly.
That's the point. He WASN'T posing. That's a "Suit Up" must.
But see people want to have the impression that Batman's not wasting time...that he has no time to glorify putting on the cape and cowl.
Well if that's the case...why show Bruce gearing up at all? Why not just have his introduction in the 3rd act literally be the Tumbler blazing thru the air into the Narrows (come to think of it that would've been better...I get the feeling now that the 'butchered' suit up was another pesky 'Studio Involvement' deals.)
And they butchered it in the editing...kind of like how a very great deal of the film itself was butchered by editing. Can you not tell that the cuts are both frequent and often jarring?
That 'suit up' was hacked to so many bits of close ups I felt like I had to readjust my eyes when he as done.
More effort? Like what? It wasn't supposed to be some monumental moment. He's preparing for battle. It's raw and simple. No need for posing or operatic theatrics.
Again, they could've left the 'suit up' out and gotten that "raw and simple" entrance into the Narrows. But since they DID bother to show him gearing up...it could've been an equally powerful moment in line with B89. I mean they had grounds for a more powerful suit up with that fleeting moment where Bruce descends into the cave and opens the cabinet to look upon the Batsuit before saving Rachel...
But nooooo...
I don't include MOTP. I was just comparing the live action films. But those other montages are very good too. I just prefer the BB one. As pointed out before, he's preparing for serious action not posing like in all the other Batman films.
Your mistake then, considering 'Phantasm' is a better Batman film that "Begins" or either "Schumacher" film.
And let's leave it on that note. We clearly have different taste because for me the BF and B &R montages are completely absurd, self-aware, and completely against the spirit of Batman. But to each his own.
It's not a matter of having different tastes. It's a matter of listing better "Batsuit suit up" montages.
Set up Polls or rankings for other aspects of the series and I might rank "Begins" higher.
"Begins" barely had a 'suit up' so it's lucky to be on the list at all. And it's only better than "B&R" because of the three problems I have with that montage.
If it weren't for the nipples, cod pieces and rubber asses...and if not for the mood-shattering "I'll get drive thru" and "This is why Superman works alone" one-liners...the coolness of the Schumacher montages would never come into question.
Putting on the Batsuit is a seminal moment for Bruce. It's a symbolic way of revitalizing within himself the oath to his parents and putting it on is a constant reminder of the war he continues to fight.
It's not a costume...it's a uniform. And depicting it with honor and a sense of imagination is the best way to go...which is why the Burton films and "Phantasm" got the moment, as miniscule as it is, absolutely right.
It's also why "Begins" ...didn't.
Give me a break. Let me guess, BB hater?
