Lately I have been watching Batman movies, starting with those directed by Tim Burton. Those are just well, Burtonesque, with dangerously playful madness pervading the atmosphere. Christopher Nolan's on the other hand, are more serious and darker in a different sense.
A notable difference is the sudden lack of witty lines. The previous Batman films which saw Batman battling Joker, Riddler, Posion Ivy, Bane, Mr. Freeze, and Two Face had more pun-intended quotes which would certainly delight those who find wordplay amusing.
Today I watched Batman Begins (2005) which was directed by Nolan. It looks more like a psychological thriller than an action flick. But well, Batman is deeply psychological. Bruce Wayne has always been managing his fears. Bats used to frighten him, but then later on,, he turned that fear into something positive: by becoming one with his fear and become Batman, the costumed hero feared by the bad guys in Gotham City.
There are lots of flashbacks to Bruce Wayne's childhood, which are of course, necessary because the film is about the beginnings of Batman. We see in this movie why Bruce Wayne chose to be Batman instead of any other animal-inspired hero. It also gives a glimpse of what his parents were like. Altruism must run in the family blood! Moreover, the movie emphasizes the importance of using one's powers for the good of mankind and of standing up to evil especially when one has the means to do so.
As usual, Alfred Pennyworth is there to give sound advice to his young master. In particular I like his inspiring line:
This was also what Bruce Wayne's father told his son when the latter fell into a deep hole and was traumatized by bats. And this is what I should tell myself whenever I fail in something: that it's meant to happen to teach me a lesson or two about determination and the human will.
I'll be watching The Dark Knight next. And I hope to watch The Dark Knight Rises on the big screen.
A notable difference is the sudden lack of witty lines. The previous Batman films which saw Batman battling Joker, Riddler, Posion Ivy, Bane, Mr. Freeze, and Two Face had more pun-intended quotes which would certainly delight those who find wordplay amusing.
Today I watched Batman Begins (2005) which was directed by Nolan. It looks more like a psychological thriller than an action flick. But well, Batman is deeply psychological. Bruce Wayne has always been managing his fears. Bats used to frighten him, but then later on,, he turned that fear into something positive: by becoming one with his fear and become Batman, the costumed hero feared by the bad guys in Gotham City.
There are lots of flashbacks to Bruce Wayne's childhood, which are of course, necessary because the film is about the beginnings of Batman. We see in this movie why Bruce Wayne chose to be Batman instead of any other animal-inspired hero. It also gives a glimpse of what his parents were like. Altruism must run in the family blood! Moreover, the movie emphasizes the importance of using one's powers for the good of mankind and of standing up to evil especially when one has the means to do so.
As usual, Alfred Pennyworth is there to give sound advice to his young master. In particular I like his inspiring line:
"Why do we fall, sir? So that we might learn to pick ourselves up."
I'll be watching The Dark Knight next. And I hope to watch The Dark Knight Rises on the big screen.
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