PhilR-3
Joined Aug 1999
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Reviews11
PhilR-3's rating
I expected this movie to be enjoyable when I sat down to watch it. I was enticed by the trailers and was ready to be impressed. The first ten minutes of the film had me rolling my eyes and questioning every directorial decision by Nolan. Where was this movie going! Suddenly, it clicked. Ducard showed up in Wayne's cell and from that point forward I was in heaven. First ten minutes of skepticism forgotten.
Everything about this film I found fantastic. The performances, for example. Brilliant. Christian Bale shines as Bruce Wayne in a way Keaton never could have. Michael Caine provides some dry humor while being utterly believable as a caring confidant. Cillian Murphy's understated Crane was deliciously creepy and smug, and the Scarecrow scenes were inventive and fresh. Liam Neeson was goddamn extraordinary. Rutger Hauer/Morgan Freeman were decent, and Katie Holmes serviceable.
I wish the other Batman films had never been made. This is not a prequel, folks: this is a re-start. Burton's films, while in line with his body of work (quirky, creative masterpieces), are NOT true Batman films. Keaton sleepwalks through the role and Batman is done a disservice. Bale nails both Wayne and Batman in a way never captured in a live-action film before.
Found the scene where Bruce's parents are murdered surprisingly powerful. Nolan truly is a dramatic talent. THe entire Bruce Wayne backstory borders upon brilliant, with bale and neeson proving they are incredible actors who can deliver a believable yet forceful performance.
Yes, the action is choppy, and yes, the film ends jaggedly. What happened in the aftermath of the fear toxin? Never explained. Very minor quibbles. These are the only faults I can find with this film.
The score is perfect, the performances fantastic, the writing very decent (some corny one liners could have been excised, but who's counting). All in all, an incredibly film that I saw twice and loved both times. This movie needs to be enjoyed by everyone, so that a sequel can be made. Please see this movie. Nolan can learn from his mistakes and improve upon his triumphs. The next film can only get better. See it so there will be a next film! And forget the crappy Burton Batmans ever existed - these movies are different and better.
10/10
Everything about this film I found fantastic. The performances, for example. Brilliant. Christian Bale shines as Bruce Wayne in a way Keaton never could have. Michael Caine provides some dry humor while being utterly believable as a caring confidant. Cillian Murphy's understated Crane was deliciously creepy and smug, and the Scarecrow scenes were inventive and fresh. Liam Neeson was goddamn extraordinary. Rutger Hauer/Morgan Freeman were decent, and Katie Holmes serviceable.
I wish the other Batman films had never been made. This is not a prequel, folks: this is a re-start. Burton's films, while in line with his body of work (quirky, creative masterpieces), are NOT true Batman films. Keaton sleepwalks through the role and Batman is done a disservice. Bale nails both Wayne and Batman in a way never captured in a live-action film before.
Found the scene where Bruce's parents are murdered surprisingly powerful. Nolan truly is a dramatic talent. THe entire Bruce Wayne backstory borders upon brilliant, with bale and neeson proving they are incredible actors who can deliver a believable yet forceful performance.
Yes, the action is choppy, and yes, the film ends jaggedly. What happened in the aftermath of the fear toxin? Never explained. Very minor quibbles. These are the only faults I can find with this film.
The score is perfect, the performances fantastic, the writing very decent (some corny one liners could have been excised, but who's counting). All in all, an incredibly film that I saw twice and loved both times. This movie needs to be enjoyed by everyone, so that a sequel can be made. Please see this movie. Nolan can learn from his mistakes and improve upon his triumphs. The next film can only get better. See it so there will be a next film! And forget the crappy Burton Batmans ever existed - these movies are different and better.
10/10
I recently rented the Christopher Walken film iteration of this film and, while I enjoyed it, I wasn't as impressed with the scope of the story of Johnny Smith that it portrayed. It was a small story about Smith and his feeling of responsibility to stop the career of Greg Stillson. The performances were great, the film competent but after watching the television series it seemed underwhelming.
The reason I enjoy the USA television series is because it explores Johnny's interactions with the real world. I like the fact that he actually is met with acceptance as he is skepticism, and that he does have an impact on national politics and events. As much as I love other sci-fi/fantasy shows set contemporarily (The X Files, etc), their failure to show supernatural powers effecting the "real world" has always bothered me. The Dead Zone is beginning to tackle how the normal world would react to a reputed psychic, and it is one of the main factors that keeps me tuning in.
The Dead Zone is also well written, features great, believable performances, etc etc. I could heap a ton of praise on the other top notch aspects of the show, but the main draw is the scope. I hope this show continues to nurture the relationship between Johnny and the outside world. As long as it does, I will tune in.
The reason I enjoy the USA television series is because it explores Johnny's interactions with the real world. I like the fact that he actually is met with acceptance as he is skepticism, and that he does have an impact on national politics and events. As much as I love other sci-fi/fantasy shows set contemporarily (The X Files, etc), their failure to show supernatural powers effecting the "real world" has always bothered me. The Dead Zone is beginning to tackle how the normal world would react to a reputed psychic, and it is one of the main factors that keeps me tuning in.
The Dead Zone is also well written, features great, believable performances, etc etc. I could heap a ton of praise on the other top notch aspects of the show, but the main draw is the scope. I hope this show continues to nurture the relationship between Johnny and the outside world. As long as it does, I will tune in.
I was surprised and delighted to find out that Undeclared is by the same guy who produced both Freaks and Geeks & The Critic. I guess I shouldn't have been that surprised, as all three are great shows. It makes me wonder how FOX stays on the air at all with such bungled marketing campaigns. They made Undeclared seem like a brainless teen sex show when it is in fact a smart and very funny half hour of tv. I dislike trendy crap that usually turns on the TRL generation, and the ads made this show seem like it would be in the same vein as other WB crapfests.... but it is a great show. Give it a chance, you will not be disappointed.