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 Richard Sliwa posted on Thursday, 16 June, 2005 - 09:06 pm
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Went to the flicks today to see if it lived up the hype. Yes, it did. In fact, this is the first film I've seen this year (and I go to the cinema at least 3 times a week) that I want to see again. The last few years, at least 3 or 4 films would've fit into that category by mid-June.
Sure, there are some very corny bits, but then what else can one expect from a superhero movie? Although a lot of modern updates of classics (I'm thinking very particularly of the modern Star Treks) are more interested in explaining the mechanics of the given universe rather than telling good styories, this one tells a pretty good one of how Batman learns his skills, how he finds the bat cave, not to mention where he gets his gadgets (which IMO are the best scenes).
There's a lot of pseudo-psychology and just about every character goes on about "fear" at VERY great length. I'm not a great fan of wooden-as-a-plank Christian Bale's recent performances and this one, regrettably, falls into that category. He does nothing better than an OK job, and Morgan Freeman steals every scene he's in.
Stylistically, it's very different from the Tim Burton films from 20 years ago (let's forget about the third and fourth in the franchise). This a more real world than Burton's stylised Gotham City. We even get to leave Gotham on a few occasions, which under other circumstances, I'd consider plain wrong (in superhero stories, you really shouldn't leave the specific confines of the hero's small world).
Oh, and the new Batmobile is one heck of a magnificent vehicle. I want one! (even though I don't have a driving licence.)
All in all, great fun.
(I might post opinions on all the movies I see from now on, now I have somewhere to do it, apart from IMdB, of course...) |
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| Chris posted on Saturday, 23 July, 2005 - 03:16 pm
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Thought I'd add to this movie related thread, rather than start a new one.
Hope this won't make me seem like I'm easily pleased, but I went to see the new War of the Worlds film last weekend and have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Obviously it's more of a modern remake of the 1950s film, rather than being any kind of serious attempt at filming the novel, but, in this respect, I think it worked well.
The aliens are no longer supposed to come from Mars, but they still arrive amid explosive lightning strikes, which is in some way reminiscent of the original. The massive tripod war machines are already here and have been buried under the ground for untold years.
The special effects are fantastic and there is some attempt at characterisation. Cruise is OK in the lead role, and is no better or worse than this kind of film requires.
There are some genuinely creepy moments (and I loved the updated sequence with the robotic eye on the stalk, which is similar to that in the 50s film), but what impressed me the most was the quite depressing air of gloom and futility that pervades the film. There are sequences where the army (and air force) are giving the invaders everything they've got (from tanks, fighters, Apache helicopters), all to no avail. It's quite a spectacle - as are the quite shocking scenes of the burning train and the aftermath of the jet crash.
I grew up watching those fantastic, '50s sci-fi movies (on TV, I hasten to add!) and I think that this remake is a pretty worthy successor.
Don't go to it expecting 2001: A Space Odyssey or the original Star Wars and you won't be disappointed. Similarly, it may not be a true adaptation of the novel, but it still knocks spots off the TV series or any other alien invasion film of recent years.
I liked it. Sorry. |
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| Oliver posted on Thursday, 04 August, 2005 - 06:46 pm
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omg im sorry but im the first to disagree with you. [Shakes head] and fist lol !
i found the new version had nothing but FX - no human emotion that was believable and when things did start to tense up the film took a completely different direction.
i left the cinema wishing id never went.
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The next day the original film came on tv and although i never 'Loved' it, the film was very wachable and made sense at the end.
by the way im 19, yes Sir!
each to our own though, i like Kevin spacey and American Beauty :P |
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| Chris posted on Thursday, 04 August, 2005 - 09:14 pm
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I bought the 1952 version on DVD at the weekend and, yes, a true classic.
Loved American Beauty too and, believe it or not, more than one person (OK, two) have told me that I look like Kevin Spacey! I'm sure it's meant as a compliment! Maybe I should move to Hollywood (or start to frequent the Bristol Old Vic) and pick up the roles he rejects? No, maybe not... |
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| Bill D posted on Saturday, 06 August, 2005 - 10:47 pm
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Some of "Batman Begins" was filmed at the Medical Research Council establishment in Mill Hill, north of London.
They added bits onto the old red-brick building to make it look more Gotham. Not sure what bit it played in the film. |
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