Batman Begins Upon repeated viewings, this is the best movie I've EVER seen.

[Mr. Socko]

I wish there was slow mo at points so I could see something clearly.

It's all in the camera angles not the slo mo button. If ya put the movie in slo mo with the remote, the action is still very hard to see.

 

[Comic Book Boy]

I don't think you guys understood me.

Read the title.

This is the best movie I've ever seen.

And in the post...

This is one of the best movies ever.

You said at the beginning of your post, "You name it, I've seen it" yet you only name films made in the last 20 years, then you call BEGINS the best you've seen.

Perhaps you should widen your spectrum.

I loved BEGINS, alot. But it was not the best film ever.

 

[Jerry!]

Well to be fair, IMDB users has it ranked at number 95 all time and, at least not that I know of, thats the biggest collection of movie viewer opinions and/or ratings.

 

[Comic Book Boy]

I wish there was slow mo at points so I could see something clearly.

Batman shouldn't be seen clearly.

The camera cuts during the action simulated how Batman fights. If Batman were fighting you, you wouldn't be able to see what he was doing. That was the point. And it was perfect for Batman.
It would have been terrible if all the action had been drawn out and slow-mo'ed.

Batman's fighting is best portrayed by quick cuts and mysterious movements.

 

[Saint]

If Begins could've won Best Picture at the Oscars then it would have. To say that it did not soley on the basis of having that damn "Batman" sticker is just an excuse people tell themselves to ease the fact that it was not even nominated... and if you send the Academy to hell then logically Pfister's nomination must go along for the ride—as the saying goes, you cannot have your cake and eat it to.

I don't entirely agree. Begins aside, if there was a mainstream comic book film deserving of the "best film" Oscar win, I don't believe it would win. I don't believe it would even stand a chance. The Academy is just like that.

 

[Jerry!]

I understand that too, especially for scenes like the one at the dock, it was perfect there. But that kind of style isn't good for one on one fighting, like in the train with Ra's. You can kinda tell and still follow whats going on, but you just wish you actually see a one on one fight.

 

[Comic Book Boy]

Well to be fair, IMDB users has it ranked at number 95 all time and, at least not that I know of, thats the biggest collection of movie viewer opinions and/or ratings.

That seems about right.

BEGINS was a great film, but there are many others that should rank before it.

 

[Jerry!]

Hell, being ranked 95 out of ALL the movies in the world, is saying something. Sure there are 94 others above it, but tens of thousands upon thousands below it. Now that I think of it, Nolan has achieved something amazing. 3 of his films are ranked within the Top 100 Movies of All Time on IMDB. The Prestige, Memento and Batman Begins.

 

[The Kid]

Batman shouldn't be seen clearly.

The camera cuts during the action simulated how Batman fights. If Batman were fighting you, you wouldn't be able to see what he was doing. That was the point. And it was perfect for Batman.
It would have been terrible if all the action had been drawn out and slow-mo'ed.

Batman's fighting is best portrayed by quick cuts and mysterious movements.

Man, I've been active at this board for 2 whole years. you know how many times I've read that excuse?

 

[Spider-Bat]

Upon repeated viewings this is the dullest comic book movie I've ever seen.

Burton did better!

 

[Mr. Socko]

I don't entirely agree. Begins aside, if there was a mainstream comic book film deserving of the "best film" Oscar win, I don't believe it would win. I don't believe it would even stand a chance. The Academy is just like that.

Back in 04 there were hordes of people complaining that Spider-Man 2 had not been at least given a best adapted screenplay nomination at the oscars.

 

[Cain]

I skip the first half of the movie now. I used to hate the third act with a passion but I could bear with it.

 

[Two-Face]

This is just... wrong...

 

[Rezzo]

It´s not the best movie I´ve ever seen but it´s the best comic book movie I´ve ever seen

 

[Comic Book Boy]

Man, I've been active at this board for 2 whole years. you know how many times I've read that excuse?

It's true every time.

 

[Comic Book Boy]

It´s not the best movie I´ve ever seen but it´s the best comic book movie I´ve ever seen

You should check out: V FOR VENDETTA, 300, SIN CITY, and THE MATRIX.

BEGINS is right up there with those though. Probably better than SIN CITY or 300, but maybe not.

 

[CConn]

The Matrix is a comic book movie?

 

[Rezzo]

You should check out: V FOR VENDETTA, 300, SIN CITY, and THE MATRIX.

BEGINS is right up there with those though. Probably better than SIN CITY or 300, but maybe not.

Yea I´ve seen those and if I had to put them in order they would go like this:

Batman Begins
V for Vendetta
300
Sin City
The Matrix

The Matrix is a comic book movie?

Was based around this... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invisibles

 

[The Kid]

It's true every time.

Everything and everyone must be a superfast ninja then.

 

[Castlewood]

The editing kinda ticks me off too.... but ultimately, that's one of only a FEW flaws for me when it comes to this film. ALL movies have flaws, even "The Godfather", which is so goddamn precious to everyone (not me). Compared to all the other Bat-movies, this one actually has less flaws (in my opinion), which makes it the best one.

Yes, it is my favorite movie of all time, and you can call me a complete moron, and that I haven't seen alot of movies..... but the truth is, I have. I've seen so many movies in my day (along with my best friend; we've stayed at the theatre and have seen multiple movies in one day, just for the fun of it, and we've done all-night marathons just because we could)... and I'm telling you, unless it's extremely obscure and nobody has seen it.... I probably have. Doctor Zhivago? Check. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly? Check? One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest? Check? The Exorcist? Check. Scarface, Goodfellas, On Golden Pond, Kramer vs. Kramer? Check check check check.

Now, that includes "The Godfather". I've seen it. More than once. And honestly, I'm bored to tears with it everytime. That's not because I don't understand the movie-making process (I make movies myself, with my friends, and most of them suck, but that doesn't mean I don't know a thing or two). I'm a writer, I understand the writing process, and I've read the Godfather novel by Mario Puzo... and I kind of enjoyed it, because I enjoy reading. The problem with the movie, to ME, is that I can't relate to it. A movie needs to get me hooked right away, or it's pointless to me. I can't relate to that movie. I can't imagine being the son of a mob boss, who talks with cotton in his mouth. It doesn't make sense to me. It's very foreign, and there's nothing there that I can identify with....so OF COURSE I'm not gonna like it! It's not because I'm A.D.D. (I'm not), and it's not because I don't get it (I do), it's just that I can't ENJOY it.

Now, Batman Begins is a different story. I can relate to it, more so than other movies I've seen. It's got the realism factor (although most of the situations are silly and over-the-top; they are presented in a realistic fashion that makes me believe that "Yes, maybe this could actually happen in the real world... MAYBE). I can picture myself in young Bruce's shoes, watching my parents get killed. I can picture myself wanting revenge for so long, being afraid of something (bats), wanting to take matters into my own hands. These are REAL issues people deal with: Loss, Vengeance, Grief, Fear. It constantly takes me back to Shakespeare, which I have studied for 3 years now. Shakespeare wrote about such subjects 500 years ago, and many people of that Elizabethan era said that they wouldn't stand the test of time, but yet here we are 500 years later, and people still read the Bard. It's because you can relate to it. You might not understand what the hell is being said in the dialogue (and I myself have trouble even 3 years later), but when you see a stage production (done accurately), you don't need to hear a damn thing. The EMOTIONS are there. You can SEE what is happening.... It's not about crappy dialogue or editing that is too fast; it's about using your OWN imagination, and filling in the gaps.

Batman reminds me of a classic Shakespearean tale, more than any other comic book character. Not only that, but he is my life-long hero. My idol. Sure, just this fact alone would make "Batman Begins" my favorite movie, because... it's BATMAN, so of course I'm gonna love it, because I'm watching my childhood hero on the big screen...

... But I did not like the first 4 movies. If I had to pick my favorite from the old ones, it's definitely "Batman Returns", because although we barely saw Batman himself, it dealt with psychology, character development (Selina, at least), and emotions (musically, and on screen) beautifully. The other ones are a sad attempt. Jack is always Jack to me, he doesn't change; he just puts make-up on, and he's "Jack with make-up". The two Schumacher films... well, I won't even mention them.

Another thing you have to look at it... is the heavy amount of pressure "Batman Begins" had in 2005, and even before that when we started hyping it in 2003. We didn't know what to expect. We got a British director who only made two movies beforehand (which were both excellent, mind you), and a lead actor who was Welsh, whom we only really knew from his performance in "American Psycho"... which was dark, but not very Batman-ish. Then we get a rusty Bat-logo unlike we've ever seen before, and then we see pictures of a massive tank with huge-ass wheels that we're supposed to believe is "the Batmobile."

I was scared in 2003. This is my hero... They were gonna f*** it all up AGAIN.

I mean, "Batman & Robin" came out in 1997, and it pretty much MURDERED the Batman franchise. The mere mention of Batman or a new Batman movie only made people slap their heads and say "Oh, brother." It was the "Spider-Man 3" of the late 90's, only we didn't have internet that we have today, so massive amounts of people bashing it in a forum was impossible. But I knew what everyone was thinking anyway, and I was scared by one little thought: Maybe people weren't ready for another Batman movie. It had been 8 years, just under a decade of jokes about nipples and buttocks and Arnold's acting, and Alicia's chubbiness (although I never agreed; I think she was hot in that movie). "Batman" as a whole was just a big joke. Even my dead said when the first "Begins" trailer came out: "Oh sh**, another one? Why can't they just let it die?"

And then it came out, and it was everything that I wanted it to be. Hell, I cried. I'll admit it. I cried. Call me emo. Call me an obsessive fanboy. I don't give a damn. I cried. To me, it was amazing. I'll never forget the experience of being in that theatre, watching those bats fly across the screen. I knew right off the bat.... this was it. This is what I had been waiting for. This is what Burton and Schumacher couldn't achieve. This was the whole reason why I loved Batman all my life, while everyone else made fun of him since 1997. This is why stuck with him, why I read the comics, why I watched TAS, why I collected action figures as child. It was all leading up to this moment, in 2005. Me and the silver screen, mano a mano. And the faith I had in my childhood hero was fully restored. It was like a "personal moment" in my life.

Having said that.... Do you really think "The Godfather" could ever match "Batman Begins" for me?? NO WAY IN HELL.

And the fact that they could bring Batman back to his true form after only 8 years since the monstrosity before it (aka, B&R), proves to me that this movie is the real deal. I mean, "Superman Returns" had 15 years behind it, and they had so much time to get it right, and to bring the Man of Steel back, but they failed miserably, in my honest opinion. That movie left me unbelievably dissatisfied.

So, "Batman Begins" is my favorite movie of all time, NOT because I don't know anything about movies, and NOT because I don't see enough movies.... it's because "Batman Begins" is personal to me. It was a childhood dream brought to life.

I don't really want to argue about it. You can call me a moron. I don't want to pick fights... but if you want to, by all means, go ahead and humor yourself. It won't change my opinion. This is the best movie I've ever seen.

And for the sake of conversation, allow me to show my TOP 10 list of all-time favorites:

1. Batman Begins
2. Heat (directed by Michael Mann... Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro)
3. The Shawshank Redemption (Stephen King is one of my favorite writers, and his novella was a true departure from what he usually does. I remember being concerned with how this would transfer onto film... and I happen to think this is THE best movie ever made; not my favorite of all time, but definitely the BEST ever made. See it if you haven't).
4. Goodfellas (Scorsese's best. I don't care what anyone says. "The Departed" has nothing on this; it should've got the oscar in '90.)
5. The Wizard of Oz (another childhood thing, but that can be saved for another day)
6. Closer (a movie directed by Mike Nichols, one of my favorite filmmakers)
7. Vanilla Sky (I don’t like Tom Cruise, and I don’t like Cameron Crowe – too “artsy” for me – but this movie really clicked with me).
8. Vertigo (Hitchcock's true masterpiece, I feel.... Another one of my favorite directors).
9. Wolf (an obscure movie that nobody saw, once again directed by Mike Nichols.. Jack Nicholson plays a werewolf, if you can recall)
10. Reservoir Dogs (in my opinion, better than Pulp Fiction)

Honorable mention: Braveheart. It just kicks ass. 'Nuff said.

As far as more modern movies are concerned, I think "Casino Royale", "The Departed", and "The Prestige" are ALL destined to become classics (I think they already are, but whatever).

 

[Monstera]

Casino Royale is excellent.

 

[CConn]

The Illusionist >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Prestige.

 

[Jerry!]

Well its like comparing apples to oranges, but I think out of the two, the Prestige was way better. The Illusionist was Romeo and Juliet...except with a happy ending.....and magic. I guess if you want more of an art or love central themed movie, then you would find the Illusionist better.

The Prestige was a movie that in itself was a magic trick. Its a darker film, more involved, complex, lots of layers to it. And just in the quality of the acting, you have to admit, the Prestige pretty handily beats the Illusionist (not saying Norton isn't a good actor). About everyone save maybe Scarlett Johansson, the acting is just superb. The only other kind of movie I can compare it to off the top of my head is Memento really.

I agree fully with the Shawshank Redemption though. I think thats the best movie I have ever seen as well. Its just awesome.

 

[CConn]

I'll admit, The Illusionist's plot was no better than The Prestige's - it may have even been worse - it did have several key elements that The Prestige did not.

Firstly, I felt, it made it's characters much more interesting. It wasn't just a singleminded obsession for everyone in the cast - no, every character had his or her own psychology, and their own reason for doing everything they did. And to observe The Prince's egotistical insanity in contrast to Eisenheim's multi-faceted genius with his own emotional needs and (at the beginning) emptiness and even a touch of obsession, with the Police captain's confliction between serving his own political interests and serving his own, almost childlike, fascination with Eisenheim's magic was extremely interesting.

On top of this was also a rather intelligent sociological study on the society the characters had lived in. The polarization between rich and poor, and how horrible that pretty much everyone in society - even someone as powerful as the Prince lost his sanity, his humanity, due to the importance society foolishly placed on himself and his family. You compare the film's premise to Romeo and Juliet, but this is an aspect that's decidedly different; there wasn't this economic-based divide among the characters. And there certainly wasn't such an in-depth display of how pointless division affects everyone negatively - not just two young lovers.

Which brings me to the love story. Yeah, say what you will about it - too Romeo and Juliet-esque, too girly for the manly, comic book reading adolescents we are, one thing cannot be argued; it sent a sharply positive and uplifting message about not just love, but just what the human heart and mind is capable of when it needs it, when it wants it. It was the story of how one brilliant man could manipulate everything - everything that was wrong with the world - just to get the one thing that he wants. That's not about love, that's about determination, and, in a way, power and strength.

That's markedly different from The Prestige's highly cynical and negative outlook of the human mind and of obsession. And how really weak and powerless human beings are to their base desires. Which, there's nothing wrong with that - y'know, I certainly enjoyed it - but, myself, I'm not a cynical man. I'm not a depressed man. I believe in a lot in the human mind, and I loved to see it in all of it's greatness in The Illusionist, rather than at its lowest point in The Prestige.

Lastly, I loved The Illusionist's cinematography and it's art direction. The director seemed to soak in everything about the time period and paint a beauty visual picture of the world we were traveling into. There were frames that seemed almost like art it was so well done. With The Prestige - as with all of Nolan's movies - I feel he chooses to downplay his environments rather than highlight them, and that, I think, is never as good as seeing something, see a world, in all of its splender and and visual flavor.

So yeah, that's why I like The Illusionist better. I won't even go into the fact that both Ed Norton and Paul Giamatti are fantastic actors to watch and - IMO - easily hold their own with most of The Prestige's cast.

 

[Visceral]

My friends make fun of me because I'm a movie buff. They name any movie, and I can tell you the director, the actors, quotes, etc. I memorized alot of Fight Club. I'm obsessed with Pulp Fiction, The Matrix, Vanilla Sky, American Psycho, Se7en, Cast Away, Memento, Heat, Crash.

You name it. I've seen it.

No movie matches the quality and brilliance of Batman Begins.

It's a bold statement, and some of you might laugh... but allow me to explain.

You see, aside from the fact that this was "the big return" after 8 years of being trapped in the mist of Schumacher's Fart known as Batman & Robin.... this movie means alot more than just that... to me, at least.

The funny thing you have to realize is, if Batman Begins was on HBO one day, and "the average movie-goer" flipped to the channel just as little Bruce was falling down the well, he/she would have NO CLUE that this was a Batman movie, and that's what I love about it. If you don't know who Bruce Wayne is, then you'll have no clue what this movie IS until an hour into it, when Batman himself suddenly shows up. It's so damn brilliant.

I think Nolan seriously treated this movie like it was The Godfather of superhero movies. Honestly... this movie is the best of the bunch, and goddammit, I think it's one of the best movies ever made. Bare with me, it gets worse...

Everytime I pop the DVD in, and I hear those bats flapping, the WB logo in Black&White, and then those thousands of bats flying across the screen, I get so PUMPED. It feels like I'm seeing it for the first time again. No movie I own gives me as much replay value as this does.

It's not even the fact that I'm a huge Batman fan. It's just a damn good movie! I completely despise Spider-Man, and I hated the movies, but if Nolan would've made Spider-Man Begins, and had it be that movie instead of Batman, I would've respected Spider-Man Begins just as much. It has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a Batman fanboy. Hopefully that makes sense?? Nolan's an amazing director, basically.

It's the little things about this movie that make it my all-time favorite:

- The Birthday party sequence (Liam Neeson's speech, with Bale's interactions).
- Cillian Murphy's acting. "He's here. The Batmaaaan."
- Virtually anything that Michael Caine did. The emotions from this man during the scene after the funeral are superb.
- Gary Oldman's simple approach.
- Tom Wilkinson's acting during the restaurant scene.

- When we first see Liam Neeson in the jail cell, and the music builds as he explains to Bale: "But, if you make yourself MORE than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, and if THEY can't stop you... you become something else entirely." ---- Pay attention to this scene in particular... the way the chords in the music progress and go higher as they cut to Liam's face as he says "And if THEY can't stop you".... and then when they cut back to his face as he says "A legend, Mr. Wayne"... watch how the frame is closer to his face than before. That's GOOD directing, dammit!!

- When Bale goes down into the cave, and the bats fly around him, and that music just builds... and builds... and EXPLODES, followed by a quick cut to Cillian Murphy's line "No more favors".

Nolan's eye for the camera is just so impressive. He has a real instinct, much like a painter knows how to move the brush on the canvas. This is a real "art film", in my opinion. It has "art" to it. It FEELS like looking at a painting and being moved by it, but you don't know why. The scene where Batman is standing on top of the building, motionless like a gargoyle overlooking the city as the camera pans around him and suddenly stops... that MOVES me.

Now, there ARE things that I DON'T like about "Begins".... such as the quick-editing action, of course. The way I see it... a painter isn't good at painting EVERYTHING. If you specialize in caricatures, you can't expect to be a master at landscapes. In my opinion, I would've been okay with NO ACTION in this film, but obviously Nolan knew that he had to do it... since it IS a Batman film, and people are expecting an action movie instead of a intellectual Godfather-ish movie.


So yeah... this is the greatest movie I've ever seen. As many movies as I've seen, and out of all the favorites on my long, LONG list, this one takes the cake by A LOT. And as much as I'm excited to see "The Dark Knight", I'm just not sure that it will hit me on an emotional level like this one did. This one started it all. This one set the gold standard.... and you can SEE how other movies are trying to "copy" it now. As Oldman said at the end, "You really started something." Nolan did, indeed.

ditto