Sunday, June 26, 2005
BATS!
Two kinds, I guess. First, the Mets are 2-0 up on the Yankees in their current interleague series. When people said the Yankees were buying the best, I never though it meant the best performance enhancing drugs. I've never disliked the Yankees, but this is an interesting development.
Oh, and the Rockies won today, so that skating rink on the river Styx might be opening soon.
The other bats are the kind you find in caves, or at one time in my attic. Some would say in my belfry, but the joke's on them because I don't even have a belfry. Okay, you know what I'm going towards here: Batman Begins has opened in theaters to rave reviews. I'd like to be able to say something about how the critics are misled, but I just can't. In fact, let me add my own rave review.
The story opens with visuals of bats, and lots of them. Sucks you right in because, lets face it, bats are not the nicest thing to think about being in the middle of. I've been more engrossed by movies; I did deconstruct a bit, but on the whole from the bats to the fade out (opening credits at the end, as is in vogue these days) I enjoyed the film a great deal. I hate to wholeheartedly agree with Roger Ebert (I don't know why but I do.) However, let me echo what he said in his televised review: "This is the film where they finally get Batman right!" Yep. It's still implausible if you think about it too much. I mean, a guy in a bat suit? Even the Bruce Wayne character jokes about the guy "having issues." Still, it's plausible if you suspend disbelief, where none of the others ever have been. They're better than the TV parody with Adam West and Burt Ward (who played a ward, which was nice) but still nowhere near true to the Batman we've come to know and love from DC comics.
For those of you who follow character archetypes, Batman is a Lost Soul (Deluxe.) This movie shows us how he got lost, and in beautiful detail. It is beautiful detail, too. I kept wondering which city they'd used, but it actually appears to look sort of like New York, sort of like Chicago, and even sort of like Los Angeles, but it isn't a real city: it's Gotham City, the metropolis of dark dreams and hard lives. Bruce Wayne moves invisibly through the city using skills he learned from the League of Shadows. When he refuses to join them the League becomes his worst enemy. They cost him plenty before it's over. Not the girl though. If I say more I might give away too much for you, so I'll stop right there. As you'll assume while watching, she is unharmed at the end.
Speaking of the end, it may have been my favorite scene. Jim Gordon, Sgt. Gordon, Lt. Gordon (he gets promoted a lot apparently) is talking to Batman when he mentions a serial criminal. Once again I must desist from going further. It's difficult, but I'll do it. It's a great way to close, though. I've heard that there are plans for two more installments, and unlike the other Batman movies it's really something to look forward to.
I write movies myself, so here are a few credits. Bob Kane created the characters; David S. Goyer wrote the story; Christopher Nolan directed the film. You'll know the actors I'm sure. Christian Bale, the recently infamous Katie Holmes, and don't forget Michael Caine as Alfred. You do know who Alfred is, don't you? There is a cast of dozens, most named, although there are also roles such as the one referred to as "Enormous Prisoner" portrayed with sensitivity and taste by Turbo Kong.
All in all a very good movie, one I'm glad I paid my money to see. Go, you'll like it!
Oh, and the Rockies won today, so that skating rink on the river Styx might be opening soon.
The other bats are the kind you find in caves, or at one time in my attic. Some would say in my belfry, but the joke's on them because I don't even have a belfry. Okay, you know what I'm going towards here: Batman Begins has opened in theaters to rave reviews. I'd like to be able to say something about how the critics are misled, but I just can't. In fact, let me add my own rave review.
The story opens with visuals of bats, and lots of them. Sucks you right in because, lets face it, bats are not the nicest thing to think about being in the middle of. I've been more engrossed by movies; I did deconstruct a bit, but on the whole from the bats to the fade out (opening credits at the end, as is in vogue these days) I enjoyed the film a great deal. I hate to wholeheartedly agree with Roger Ebert (I don't know why but I do.) However, let me echo what he said in his televised review: "This is the film where they finally get Batman right!" Yep. It's still implausible if you think about it too much. I mean, a guy in a bat suit? Even the Bruce Wayne character jokes about the guy "having issues." Still, it's plausible if you suspend disbelief, where none of the others ever have been. They're better than the TV parody with Adam West and Burt Ward (who played a ward, which was nice) but still nowhere near true to the Batman we've come to know and love from DC comics.
For those of you who follow character archetypes, Batman is a Lost Soul (Deluxe.) This movie shows us how he got lost, and in beautiful detail. It is beautiful detail, too. I kept wondering which city they'd used, but it actually appears to look sort of like New York, sort of like Chicago, and even sort of like Los Angeles, but it isn't a real city: it's Gotham City, the metropolis of dark dreams and hard lives. Bruce Wayne moves invisibly through the city using skills he learned from the League of Shadows. When he refuses to join them the League becomes his worst enemy. They cost him plenty before it's over. Not the girl though. If I say more I might give away too much for you, so I'll stop right there. As you'll assume while watching, she is unharmed at the end.
Speaking of the end, it may have been my favorite scene. Jim Gordon, Sgt. Gordon, Lt. Gordon (he gets promoted a lot apparently) is talking to Batman when he mentions a serial criminal. Once again I must desist from going further. It's difficult, but I'll do it. It's a great way to close, though. I've heard that there are plans for two more installments, and unlike the other Batman movies it's really something to look forward to.
I write movies myself, so here are a few credits. Bob Kane created the characters; David S. Goyer wrote the story; Christopher Nolan directed the film. You'll know the actors I'm sure. Christian Bale, the recently infamous Katie Holmes, and don't forget Michael Caine as Alfred. You do know who Alfred is, don't you? There is a cast of dozens, most named, although there are also roles such as the one referred to as "Enormous Prisoner" portrayed with sensitivity and taste by Turbo Kong.
All in all a very good movie, one I'm glad I paid my money to see. Go, you'll like it!
