Christian BaleBatman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition)

Batman Begins is my favorite movie in the Nolan trilogy by far. Yes its better in my opinion than The Dark Knight because one person isn't carrying the whole movie. Liam Neeson and Bale shine in this but also Katie Holmes did a wonderful job too. Don't get me wrong I love The Dark Knight, I thought Heath's role was outstanding and that it will never be duplicated. But Heath carries the movie by himself and Bale isn't nearly as good as he is in Batman Begins. Anyway, Batman Begins shows Bruce Wayne's incredible journey to becoming Batman and ridding society of people who put fear into others. I think its the more emotional movie of the three, it also shows Bruce's fear and determination as a kid to an adult. The quality of this movie in 4k 2160P and the HDR is stunning. The mountain scenes in the beginning and the whole Vietnam scenes really pop out with the colors and detail. No IMAX scenes but the quality is still excellent especially for OLED users. You'll be able to get those natural black scenes which don't look washed. I have a LG OLED C6 65" TV and it looks incredible. The Audio is DTS HD 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 Unfortunately no Dolby Atmos. I highly recommend this movie especially if you're an OLED owner.

When Christopher Nolan released Batman Begins there was no telling where he was taking the legendary Batman character. It would turn out to be the best comic based series of all time. As the title suggests, this film focuses upon how Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) took the death of his parents and used it to become a superhero. It wasn’t as simple as the comics however. That’s shown in Wayne’s confrontation with Ra’s al Ghul (Liam Neeson) who trains Wayne to become an assassin to right the wrongs of society. Wayne’s faced with the moral question of whether he will be driven by revenge or justice.The story is broken up into different parts. The first, is Wayne’s training under Ghul where he learns to master his own fear. As Wayne enters the house of the League of Shadows which Ghul leads, Bruce says that he wants to fight injustice in the world. He got this drive after the death of his parents. He started on this path on his own to prove that he could be his own man and not just be a rich kid that’s handed everything to him. When he comes to the League it’s the next phase as he has to become a warrior.Next is Wayne’s background. He grew up privileged like few others being the heir to one of the leading families of Gotham. His role model was his father who instilled in him all kinds of life lessons. One was when people fall it’s a good thing because they learn how to pick themselves up. Another was that the Waynes were going to use their vast wealth to try to help others out, specifically Gotham that was struggling at the time by investing in the city.The last of course is Wayne’s transformation into Batman. He faces off against not only Gul but the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) and mob base Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson). This is where he applies the lessons he learned from the League of Shadows to use fear against those that sow fear within society.The three main supporting characters Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes) Wayne’s childhood friend and love interest, the butler Alfred (Michael Caine), and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) of Wayne Enterprises are seminal people in Bruce’s life. At one point Rachel tells Wayne that vengeance is about making him feel good for the deaths of his family, but justice is impartial and keeps society in order. That’s the dilemma that he’s faced with by the League of Shadows. Michael Caine walks away with his part. He’s like a father figure to Bruce, but more importantly he’s always got words of wisdom for Bruce to help him along his path. For instance, he reminds Bruce that running around as a superhero doesn’t mean he has no other responsibilities. Not only that, but Caine’s presence in the film, really grounds things. Freeman’s character plays a similar role. He’s the gadget man for Wayne.Finally, the ending as hints at the next movie as the Joker is hinted at.All together it was a fantastic start to what would become an amazing 3 film franchise.

I’ll start by saying I love this movie. That said, I’m disappointed with the 4K release. This does not look like 4K or even Blu Ray. The dynamic range is very narrow. It lacks detail in the highlights and shadows. It is very contrasty. If you already own this I recommend passing on this one. Seems like a repackaged version of a previous release.

Anything by Christopher Nolan is guaranteed to be good and this fits the bill. The first in the Batman trilogy this film truly sets the tone for Bruce Wayne, his origin, and why he's not like other "superheroes". It's dark and gritty but still gives you someone to root for and the facts the effects aren't CGI and misplaced makes it all the better and more enjoyable. A true must-watch!

This is a review of both the film and the Blu-ray - specifically the 'Limited Edition Steelbook' I ordered.This steelbook case is an attractive item, depicting Batman in fine detail. It is, unfortunately, a rather costly version of the film (as I review, it's priced at £29.99) so I don't recommend it ... the ordinary Blu-ray is a good buy. The picture and audio quality are superb, and there are lots of bonus features.The film ... this movie re-boots the Batman franchise. Directed by Christopher Nolan, and starring Christian Bale, this film effectively defined the live-action Batman character for a decade. This is an origin story, exploring the genesis of Batman. We get to see Bruce Wayne suffer the loss of his parents, and his gradual distancing from normality, slowing becoming more than a man ... becoming Batman! The villains of the film are, for the most part, criminal gangsters - although two 'super-villains' from the rogue's gallery are included: the Scarecrow and Ra's al Ghul.This movie, and the legacy it established, sought to place Batman in a recognisable world - depicting a sense of realism, as omitted from the earlier films. And so, for example, Batman's gadgets and his vehicle are given explanations and backstory (rather than simply just being there). Of course, having a near-immoral enemy - in Ra's al Ghul - does detract from this realism!When the film was released, it was great to see the origin of Batman thoroughly explored - as it had only been seen in momentary flashbacks in earlier movies. Here, we understand how he's able to engage in martial arts, etc., as we see him train. All the major pieces and elements that are involved in Batman as a character - from Alfred to Wayne Enterprises, from Lucius Fox to the Batmobile - are included here. The film draws on the long history of DC comics, and seeks to create a movie that genuinely reflects how Batman is conceived in the original source materials. Of course, there are deviations - as the director has taken creative licence. Nonetheless, at its core this film does adhere to the comic books.While I thoroughly enjoyed this movie - and have seen it several times since it's cinematic release - I still feel that it wasn't quite as good as it ought to have been. It lacked that special quality which makes movies truly great. And, in this case, I think that what was lacking was a singular sense of magnificent villainy ... yet what was absent here, in the first of Nolan's Batman film's, was more than made-up for in the sequel - with the arrival of the Joker. The sense of dread created by the Joker, in "The Dark Knight", is simply not apparent in "Batman Begins".Still, this is a really good film. I thoroughly recommend it. It's suitable for children and adults alike, and serves as family entertainment (although there is quite a lot of violence).This movie is an important instalment in the Batman saga ... and things go from being 'good' to 'great'. Well worth watching.

Batman Begins is an outstanding reboot of a very familiar setting, raising the bar for reboots and making Batman relevant and interesting again after a set of weaker film and television depictions. The 2005 film directed by Christopher Nolan has since spun out a couple of sequels but Begins is the start of the story and in its own right is a great blockbuster film. Taking Batman back to his origins, Begins offers Bruce Wayne's journey into Batman and a battle with a couple of really excellent villains. The tale of the lost soul that is Bruce Wayne and his redemption through the Batman alter-ego is really well told, vastly superior to previous Batman depictions.Unsurprisingly, Begins is superior to previous depictions in that it sticks closely to some of the best of Batman lore. As with many comic adaptations, it is the use of high quality source material that makes for such a gripping story. The origins of Batman is in the death of Bruce Wayne's parents. Going back to the source, those parents are killed by a no-mark called Joe Chill. It is the casual and utterly avoidable nature of their deaths that makes it so interesting. Unlike previous screen versions where the meaning is entirely lost by changing the killer, Joe Chill is a perfect character to set Bruce Wayne off on his long journey. Chill is just a meaningless hood yet he guns down the wealthiest and most important citizen in Gotham. That juxtaposition entirely makes sense for the Batman character's motivation, the anguish of knowing his parents died for pretty much nothing.A decade later as a somewhat tortured teen Bruce Wayne clearly has not overcome the grief and nearly makes a massive mistake. His subsequent journey to what appears to be the Himalayas is an outstanding sequence, probably the strongest part of a terrific film. Finding Ra's al Ghul as a mentor, Bruce Wayne's entire life view is questioned. Coming of age and finding out who you are is an all too common motif but Batman Begins gets it so very right. Wayne is trained physically but more importantly he is trained philosophically. Ra's offers an incredibly plausible case for turning to the dark side. This is fascinating as so often the case is made for turning to the light but Ra's offers argument about being prepared to defend values that really resonates. It is Wayne's eventual rejection of the Ra's philosophy that ultimately leads him to be Batman.The physical action during the training sequences is amazing. The place really feels cold. The real-life location of Iceland is a decent stand-in with the sequences on the frozen lake being particularly breath-taking. Probably the most impressive physical action takes place when Bruce faces his final challenge. The combat within a maze of ninjas is beautiful choreography.While the eastern sequences are particularly impressive, the visuals in the return to Gotham are also very nice. Gotham is dark, it is broken, it feels oppressive. In some ways the Gotham of Batman Begins shares the feel of Sin City. While it might not be quite as harsh as Sin City, anything that compares even closely to Sin's brilliance is itself impressive.Perhaps the two highlights of the return to Gotham are Bruce Wayne's development of a double life and the villains he faces. The angst of the Batman character lives alongside the arrogance of another character. Bruce Wayne himself disappears. All that remains is the grim and unrelenting Batman and the vacuous Bruce Wayne. Neither is the real person. Other double life super heroes have only one alter ego, Batman Begins presents two in the same person - fascinating. The pinnacle of the Bruce Wayne alter ego is his incredibly insulting speech at a party in his honour. It is just dripping with egoistic venom. It serves a particular plot purpose but really pushes character boundaries in a way that other films have not dared.As with any great character, it is the relations with others that mark Batman out. Love interest Rachel Dawes played by Katie Holmes is the perfect romantic foil. She is sweet but highly intelligent. She sets a standard for Wayne that he cannot possibly meet. This is just so excellent - the romantic love interest should be easily obtainable. Katie Holmes is not a stunner and she's playing a girl next door. Even so she turns the exceedingly rich, handsome, and altruistic Wayne even when she knows all he does. This denial plays so well into Batman's heart-hardened character.His relationship is far closer with Michael Caine's Albert the butler. Caine works very well in this role. His trademark accent seems to fit which is unusual for a film from this century. Albert is the helping hand Bruce needs but he's also the source of some of the film's underlying meaning.The corporate angle of Bruce Wayne's life is one of the few areas that doesn't quite work. The antipathy with Rutger Hauer's Earle interacts with Morgan Freeman's Lucius Fox doesn't flow well. Earle is one of the few cliches in the film and his line about getting memos is horrendously dated and out of place in such a modern and dark film. Lucius Fox is not much better. Why he is buried down in the basement with all the most interesting gadgets is unclear as after all those are the very pieces of equipment that a corporation would want to avoid falling into the hands of others yet the enemy of the acting CEO seems to be given free run with all the corporation's technology.Still, the weaker spots are more than made up for with the interaction between Batman and the various villains. Scarecrow and Ra's are both outstanding. Scarecrow is wonderfully played by Cillian Murphy. He is incredibly menacing especially without the mask. The way he inflicts fear upon the vulnerable is truly evil and makes for a great opponent. Ra's is much more of a subtle combatant for Batman and it is right that there seems to be some respect between the pair. Liam Neeson's height, age, and gravitas fit so well.All of the greatness of Batman Begins would not be possible without Christian Bale. Bale is himself quite a dark and intense person. In the same way that Robert Downey Jr was ideal for Iron Man, Christian Bale is ideal for Batman. He is less believable as the young adult Bruce Wayne in Gotham but he is pitch perfect on the trail towards the Himalayas and fits both the gritty, noble, and self sacrificing Batman and the spiteful and anti-social persona of Bruce Wayne.The acting is supported by good action sequences. Good use of the utility belt and other traditional Batman effects helps. The batmobile looks great. The chase sequence it is involved in is perfectly fine but not especially interesting given the over-abundance of chase sequences in cinema. Batman's fighting style is interesting. It does not looks like boring wire work but it seems hard hitting and impactful.As a piece of cinema, Batman Begins is coherent, interesting, and entertaining. Some of the characters are superb, especially Batman and the two main villains. The setting works so well and taking Batman back to the darkness the original exists in makes for a far more thought-provoking plotline than anything television or cinema has produced so far. Christopher Nolan's reboot of this franchise is a cut above many other reboots and everyone involved deserves credit.The DVD Extras on the two-disc edition are solid. The talking head work is really good, exploring the most interesting aspects of the film. The technical exposition of the costume and the batmobile are both engaging. The miniatures special effects section is a little un-inspiring but the introduction to the fighting style is fascinating even if some of the elbow crunch strikes seem a bit odd. The Extras are a good complement to an outstanding film.

Batman Begins is a 2005 superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, co-written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman along with Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman. The film reboots the Batman film series, telling the origin story of the character from Bruce Wayne's initial fear of bats, the death of his parents, his journey to become Batman, and his fight against Ra's al Ghul's plot to destroy Gotham City. It draws inspiration from classic comic book storylines such as The Man Who Falls, Batman: Year One, and Batman: The Long Halloween.After a series of unsuccessful projects to resurrect Batman on screen following the 1997 critical failure of Batman & Robin, Nolan and David S. Goyer began to work on the film in early 2003 and aimed for a darker and more realistic tone, with humanity and realism being the basis of the film. The goal was to get the audience to care for both Batman and Bruce Wayne. The film, which was primarily shot in Iceland and Chicago, relied on traditional stunts and miniatures – computer-generated imagery was used minimally.Batman Begins was both critically and commercially successful. The film opened on June 17, 2005, in the United States and Canada in 3,858 theaters. It grossed $48 million in its opening weekend in North America, eventually grossing over $374 million worldwide. The film received critical acclaim and has been considered by many as one of the best superhero films ever made. Critics noted that fear was a common motif throughout the film, and remarked that it had a darker tone compared with previous Batman films. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and three BAFTA awards.The film is followed by The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012) in a continual story-arc, which has later been referred to as The Dark Knight Trilogy.

｢人が落ちるのは、這い上がることを学ぶため｣父の言葉はブルース･ウェインの決断に大きな影響を与えるが、良く見ると二つの意味がある。｢墜ちる｣と捉えた、自身がウェイン産業の不肖六代目から救世主バットマンになる決意と、｢堕ちる｣と捉えた、腐敗都市ゴッサム･シティが再生させるに足る希望を未だ残している街だという意味で、人生や仕事の全てに通ずる至宝の言葉だ。クリストファー･ノーラン監督とクリスチャン･ベール主演のこの新バットマン三部作は、シュールな社会リアリズムと、研ぎ澄まされた狂信的悪の表現、そして武術＆ハイテク武装戦を高次元で融合させた不世出の傑作シリーズだ。今世紀になって成長神話や自由主義の夢を見失いつつある米国にあって、ハリウッドが一層シリアスで現代的な問題提起を目指す様に変わった背景は良く判る。この映画は自分達の完全な反面教師だ。ゴッサムに巣くう犯罪者とマフィア、暴力を抑止する義務を果たせない腐敗した公権力、資本の再生産にのみ奔走して社会劣化を放置するウェイン産業等の私企業、格差拡大による貧困と犯罪リスクに脅える市民達。50年後の先進国社会を彷彿とさせるリアルな描写を前に、現世の政治家、財界、公務員そして国民自身が何を感じ、いつ行動を変えるべきか、内省を促す強烈な作品のメッセージ性に惚れ込んでしまう。また、マイケル･ケインやモーガン･フリーマンのウィットに富んだ大人の語りに何度もシビらされる脚本、ゲイリー･オールドマンの孤独な戦い、リーアム･ニーソンの歪んだ使命感、スケアクロウの小賢しさ、そして特殊スーツや黒塗装タンブラー等のディテールのリアル感。全てが計算し尽くされた極上の近未来HEROアクションの傑作であり、これ程完成度の高いシリーズは今後暫くお目にかかれないだろう。観て、所有して間違いの無い絶賛三部作だ。※ここでは単体レビューですが、シリーズ未保有の方はトリロジーBlu-ray BOXをお薦めします。

I'm no comic book fan, I don't usually get excited by superhero movies and in terms of superheroes, Batman was way down at the bottom of my list, so when the movie first came out I ignored it and never saw it.I accidentally watched it on the television one day, where I was immediately swept up in the mythology, the grittiness, the humour and most importantly, the realism, that Christopher Nolan brings this film. This isn't a Batman movie, this is about Bruce Wayne. The film delves deep into Bruce Wayne's psyche, what drives him to dress up as a bat and fight crime, what lies beneath the masks he wears. In these trio of roles, Cristian Bale plays it perfectly, making the viewer empathise with Bruce Wayne and fear the anger that lies within. His supporting cast is also fantastic with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman, bringing a mix of believability and at times, humour to their respective roles. The film is also helped by the stirring and epic score composed by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard which takes the movie to a whole new level.After watching this movie, I found a fascination with Batman and his story which led me to watch The Dark Knight and now wait excitedly for The Dark Knight Rises. But, for me, this will always be the movie that showed me that superhero movies didn't have to be all about special effects and fight scenes, but also about people, emotions and stories.