ClazUK Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 We went to see the latest Batman film with friends last night. I'm not going to do spoilers but suffice to say it was a great film. But to me it lacked the 'darkness' of the Tim Burton Batmans (Michael Keaton/Batman and Val Kilmer/Batman Returns). The Dark Knight was a boy film to me, lots of explosions, gadgets, car chases, suspense and a fair bit of violence. But Gotham lacked that film noir scaryness and it was all a bit too 'Die Hard Batman'. We debated this last night and I've been having an ongoing e-debate with a (male) friend who thinks the Christian Bale Batman is the best yet. The female of the couple we went with felt it had been cut almost as a 'tribute to Heath Ledger' (The Joker) and they'd made his character too significant; more significant than Batman himself. While I don't dispute Christian Bale is phwoooor, it just lacks something. Superheroiness, comic-bookiness, I don't know, but it wasn't as *special* as the Tim Burton films IMVH(girly)O. Just wondered if anyone else came out of the cinema a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprogsbloke Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 The new Batman Films are far more accurate to the comic books they are alot darker and grim which is what Batman and Gotham should be. The first of the 'Old' Batman films wih Micheal Keaton was ok, although having seen Heath Ledgers version of The Joker just blows away Jack Nicholson. The latter of the original films just got to much like the old TV series way too camp. Really loved the new film and would reccomend it to anyone. Looking forward to what more they can do. Christian Bale is the best Batman. Aaron Eckhart was great as Harvey Dent as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClazUK Posted July 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 Blimey. Your reply is almost word for word how my e-debate went! The new Batman Films are far more accurate to the comic books they are alot darker and grim which is what Batman and Gotham should be. Now I didn't think that Gotham WAS grim - I thought it was a bit any-American-cityish. And the inhabitants were just a bit too normal for me - in my head Gothamites are a bit darker and more gothic than that. But maybe I've been conditioned too much by the Tim Burton version. Interesting..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krusewalker Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 The Tim Burton version was very cartoon. Espesh Jack Nicholson's Joker. No darkness detectable. Christopher Nolan knows dark...Memento, Insomnia His Batmans are way darker, although i feel they did tone it down a tad for that 12A audience (that's accountants for you) I'm anticipating the DVD version with deleted scenes. Heath Ledger was stupendous. He walked all over Hannibal Lector, etc (Hannibal was a comedy act). But the scenes where the Joker personally killed and tortured people were led into but cut away at the last minute, which watered down the characterisation. Ledger definitely deserves the Oscar. Christian Bale is always a brill actor. Both of them exuded intensity. Gotham skyscape was oppressive. Tim Burton's vision is only Gothic in caricature form, not the truly dark definition of the word. Granted, Michael Keaton performed the role well. But Val Kilmer was just wood. Its the new Batman to the new Bond....more real, gritty, intense, deep. Less cartoon, matinee, shallow. As Casino Royale is the best Bond film ever so far, so to this Batman. Movie of the last few years. Totally recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 Fraid I agree with the e-debate lol I grew up on DC/Marvel comics, my dad was a real comic fanatic, so whereas my peers read beno, bunty, wizzer n chips etc I was reading Batman, Superman, Silver Surfer, Fantastic 4, Iron man etc etc. I was super suspicious of the first Christian Bale Batman - I read the hype and the promises that it would be far more true to the comics and having heard that alllllllllllllllllll before thought "yeah riiiiiiiight" but these 2 do indeed come the closest yet to the "real" Batman - just ask Nick who has put up with years and years and years of me banging on about the fact that the Batman is supposed to be very dark and not altogether likeable all of the time and tbh THAT was what I liked most about Dark Knight that they did indeed work really hard to try and build us up to that and have almost suceeded- I'm reserving judgement til the next one lol Yep theres some rather big special effects, I think had they not gone for that then they maybe would end up with a kinda "art film" and these days they have to aim for "box office appeal" the compramise works pretty well and I did very much enjoy the film - and I had sat thru Batman begins the same afternoon to "refresh my memory" so I'd had nigh on 5 hours solid of Batman lol The Joker is a very dark character no redeeming features at all - and I though Heath Ledger was very close to how I would have "imagined" the joker to be ....and he had to sell it to me big style as I was being very bullish about the fact I thought they had hyped his performance up because of his death - I thought he was superb, and that makes his death all the sadder, and it's going to take one heck of an actor to step into that role next time. I do think there IS a flaw in the film - or rather they did something I wouldn't have done and imo they missed an opportunity (or maybe they haven't ... and the next film will reveal all lol) but I won't say what it is here cos that would mean a spoiler The fact is I came out of the cinema having been without a cigarette for well over 3 hours and I hadn't even noticed the time passing and the very first thing I said to Nick was .... my dad would have loved that... that was the closest Batman yet ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 so its just me that prefers these 2 then when you hear the squeal of the batmobile............... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanishPastry Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 YES!!! :laugh: that is a shocking picture Christian Bale is niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClazUK Posted July 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 Seems I'm all aloooooone then (stuck in the 80s, that's me). There IS a lot of eye candy in the new film though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingipops Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 so its just me that prefers these 2 then when you hear the squeal of the batmobile............... or even these 2! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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