Announcement

**schmosef** · 9 July 2006, 01:02

I really didn't like the first one. I hope they do a better job this time around.

**Jessterw** · 9 July 2006, 09:59

Liked the first one, but felt it was lacking in some unknown way that kept me from really feeling like it was Batman. Probably had to do with Bale not playing the caped crusader in quite the manner I thought he could have beforehand. *shrug*

This next one looks like it could be good, though I worry about having so many (important) peripheral characters in the mix. I do like how they appear to be keeping with the whole idea of not killing off every 'bad guy' at the end of the movie (Scarecrow making it out alive in the first, Joker it seems in this second).

**Dr Mordrid** · 9 July 2006, 11:47

This Batman is closer to the one I grew up with, plus a touch of Frank Millers 'Dark Knight' & 'Batman: Year One' with much more realism than previous incarnations.

The multi-character cameos are akin to what Sam Rami has been doing with Spider-man. ex: Peters professor, Dr. Curt Connors in S-2, becomes Lizard in the comics; John Jamison (MJ's fiance in S-2) becomes Man-Wolf.

As for Joker; look for him to be portrayed as he was in 'The Killing Joke' novel & 'Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker' movie. This severely psychotic/homicidal version is a favorite of B. Begins director and writers. Me too.

Dr. Mordrid

**TnT** · 9 July 2006, 13:33

As a big Batman fan I loved the first Batman. As Doc says I'm looking forward to a good portrayal of Joker. The Jack Nicholson version in the first movie is crap.

**Jessterw** · 9 July 2006, 14:43

Don't get me wrong, I like this portrayal of Batman, there was just something about how Bale pulled it off that never quite pulled me in to the extent that I would have liked. Still, I own the DVD if that says anything.

The cameos don't really bother me either, given that the presence of all these characters would be a given if any of this was occuring in 'real life'. My hesitation was more along the lines of knowing how much of a cameo for certain characters to have, otherwise you get dangerously close to losing the focus these type of films need to have.

I'll admit though, I loved the Keaton films. It was just dark enough but had a certain humour about it (more so the first than the second) - very much Tim Burton's style. That said, I really like the Joker portrayed in this 'new' manner (in regards to screen portrayals).

**Mehen** · 9 July 2006, 19:54

I loved the Keaton/Tim Burton ones, also loved Batman Begins, but for me the first Batman is unbeatable because of Danny Elfman and Jack.

**Elie** · 9 July 2006, 21:52

Cool, but didn't Batman already "begin"?
IMHO it shouldn't be called "Batman Begins 2" maybe something like Batman vs Joker or whatever.

**Jessterw** · 9 July 2006, 21:58

It's still officially untitled. Calling it "Batman Begins 2" is just an easy way to differentiate between the other previous movies.

**schmosef** · 9 July 2006, 22:33

I really hated the fighting sequences of the first one. It was all close up quick cuts. If you blinked, you missed it. And yes, I understand that is part of Batman's style but there were lots of scenes where he wasn't Batman and they could've had more elaborate fights.

I remember reading somewhere that Bale didn't have a lot of time to prep (like the cast of the Matrix or Star Wars I did) and the action was done that way to compensate.

I much prefer fight scenes in Asian style Kung Fu movies because you can sit back and drink in the action.

I hope that Bale and crew have more time for the fight choreography this time around and are able to produce a better work.

I also hated the dynamic between Bale and Holmes. Is she back in this one? I hope not.

I really like Bale in American Psycho. I know he can pull of a better performance.

**Jessterw** · 9 July 2006, 23:05

He can also pull off a good fight scene as well. Check out Equilibrium if you haven't seen it yet. Pretty sure that's the role that gave him some weight in getting the Batman part to begin with. That and his knack for fully immersing himself in his roles (see The Machinist).

As for Holmes... worst casting decision for the film. See just doesn't bring any presence to the screen save for getting a certain target market into the theatre. Hopefully we can see the tradition of Batman not having a steady woman in his life continue

**KvHagedorn** · 9 July 2006, 23:13

I thought Gary Oldman was very good.. he lent more to the film than his limited screen time might have suggested. Interesting that he could transition to playing good guys believably after starting out playing so many ultra-evil ones. It takes an exceptional actor to pull that off.

**Dr Mordrid** · 9 July 2006, 23:39

I heard Holmes either won't come back or her character will be killed off early on to push Bruce's rage, as if that's a problem.

YES, Jesterz! As soon as the first Tetragrammaton Cleric raid was over in Equilibrium I was thinking "WOW....this guy would make a great Batman!". By the end of the movie I was ready to start a campaign. Guess we weren't alone as I read it also influenced Nolans decision.

Yup....Oldman was also perfect casting, as were Michael Caine & Morgan Freeman.

Batman and the League of Shadows use the Keysi Fighting Method (KFM) which is only ~20 years old, very, very brutal (perfect for Batman) and often compact in its motions.

schmosef;

Widescreen video/film rule #1: fill the frame!

In widescreen the close framing and fast cuts were to fill the frame & emphasize Keysi's close-combat movements, which in turn enhances the action.

On the other hand; the wide framing and slower cuts used with HK Kung Fu would not. They would show this little scrum in the middle 1/3 to 1/2 of the frame with little going on elsewhere.

This would tend to de-emphasize the action, which is a no-no in an action film of this type.

Dr. Mordrid

**schmosef** · 10 July 2006, 01:30

Yes I saw Equilibrium and yes I thought the same thing. But they didn't take proper advantage of his talent.

@Doc, there have been lots of action movies in WS that managed to use the aspect ratio of the frame to its full potential.

Maybe they were trying for something special with that fighting technique. But they didn't succeed.

Maybe it was a failed attempt at something dramatic. Maybe the costume was too hard to fight in. Maybe Bale wasn't in top form. Or maybe the choreography was lousy. Whatever. The fighting sucked. If the fighting looks like that in the upcoming Transformers movie, it will suck. If the fighting looked like that in Star Wars it would have sucked. And it sucked in Batman.

I just googled for reviews on the movie and was surprised to see how many reviewers mentioned the fighting as entirely forgettable.

Here's one quote:

The fight scenes were hard to put up with. You see bad guys facing down Batman. You then see a bunch of quick flashes that mean nothing and then a pile of unconscious bad guys. Ooh, thrilling.

**Mehen** · 10 July 2006, 07:39

Wouldn't fighting any other way be the complete opposite of his training? And when has batman ever had spectacular fighting scenes?

Announcement

Batman Begins 2 (2008)

Batman Begins 2 (2008)

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment