Batman Begins

Its funny, when I started writing this page I thought that it would be a place where I would always be talking about movies I'd seen. Turns out I think I've discussed more books than movies - although at the moment I'm up a few books on the blog. Still does seem like a good place to talk about movies.

We just came home from Batman Begins. I thought this is one of the best movies I've seen in quite some time, and maybe the best superhero movie I've ever seen. As the movie was starting I was thinking that it would be difficult for this one to top the first Batman. In the end I think it does, easily. The writing is great, the production design is solid and not overpowering, and the acting is very good. The casting for the supporting roles is really impressive: Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine (who seem like they never stop working), Liam Neeson (who gets most of the first third of the film to himself), and throw in Rutger Hauer to boot.

The movie builds a very solid foundation for the man, the skills, and the toys. It was very nice to see Bruce Wayne accumulate all the things that turn into Batman.

I'd really thought they had raised the bar on superhero movies with the Spiderman films. This one is absolutely in that class or better. The one thing it isn't is a feel good superhero flick for kids. We saw a dad and two youngsters walk out fairly early on. It is relatively violent and the themes are often dark. It's also a little on the long side - but fine if you are into it.

But I am no longer a youngster and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Gets my totally worthless recommendation. Check it out.