I remember all of the hype leading up to Batman in '89, only to leave feeling disappointed in a movie that had little to do with Batman and that should have been named "The Joker." When it came out on video, the AV place where I worked kept it in the VCR 24/7, and I quickly realized how annoying the movie became in the second hour with Vicky Vale's incessant screaming (this from a woman who supposedly photographed smouldering bodies on the front lines of war). I remember hating Batman Returns upon its release, only to gain respect for it over the years as I've grown to appreciate Tim Burton's work. And with the revolving door around the man in the suit, I watched B&R become the biggest pile of crap in recent movie history.
I think it's awesome that they rebooted the whole damn franchise. I had a good vibe on this film from the day it was announced, and now that I've seen it, it ranks with Superman: The Movie as the greatest comic adaptation of all time.
Hans Zimmer's score only reminds me how lame Danny Elfman's Spider-Man score is, and it even eclipses Elfman's old Batman score. While the old theme had a more striking melody, this one is simple, riviting, emotional. The music has been stuck in my head all day, something that Elfman's scores have never done, even when I played them in marching band 13 years ago. A score can make or break a film, and Zimmer does not disappoint in this film.
Nolan is an artist, and this will be the pivotal moment in his career, as Jaws was for Spielberg. The press I read leading up to this talked about how Nolan effortlessly pulled the whole thing together, turning in the film on time and on budget, as though already he had years of experience directing big budget epics. Clearly his confidence and lack of pretentiousness in what he was doing allowed the actors to deliver pitch-perfect performances. If the cast isn't strained, that comes through in a film.
Regarding Katie Holmes, her only debit at the moment is Tom Cruise. It's not her ability to act or to get rid of that teeny bopper stigma. As one who never watched an episode of Dawson's Creek or any of her films, I was able to judge her performance quite objectively. I didn't know why she'd been cast when the announcement was made, but whatever the case, she rose to the challenge of her more seasoned costars. Excellent performance, and hopefully a female in the Batman universe who'll actually return. I sincerely hope they plan to use her as the catalyst for the Batman vs. Superman premise, which hopefully will come to fruition. But more on that later ...
I stayed away from this thread until I saw the movie, but I've gone back and read through. What I find curious is all of the bellyaching about continuity with the previous four films. As if those films were ever concerned with continuity towards the 60's show (and movie from 1970) which were firmly implanted in our psyches from childhood in 1989. I had no trouble making the mental shift from Caesar Romero to Over-The-Top Jack, so I'm not terribly worried if he gets recast again. I would only find it unfortunate for the franchise to rehash old villains when there are still untapped ones to go on. Best thing they did was not off Scarecrow. There is so much additional room for his character to expand.
I do NOT have the kind of vibe for Superman that I had for this flick. Singer knows what he's doing in the director's chair, but I have zero confidence in the Clark and Lois that have been picked for that franchise. Singer now has his reputation on the line not only to deliver a Superman movie that rises to the level of Batman Begins, but he must deliver a franchise that can and will be worthy of melding with this new Batman franchise. If Warner Bros. has their s#!t together they will have already planned how to get the cast together for this eventual merger. But before today, I haven't been terribly confident in WB for thinking past their own wallets on a given day.
Whatever the case, I reiterate, this is the finest movie, end to end, that I've seen in ages. I've come to accept mediocrity in small and large doses lately, seeing imperfections everywhere I look. I didn't experience a single cringeworthy moment in the entire film. Not one. I have not been so throroughly entertained at the movies in years. The Matrix sequels, The Harry Potter movies, Lord of the Rings, the X-men movies, the Spider-Man movies. These are all films that I've loved in this decade and watched again and again. But Batman Begins blew them all away for me. If those movies were home runs in their own rite, Batman Begins is a grand slam.
And what is the unkindest cut of all? Oscar will ignore this film in all but sound and visual effects.