Batman Begins
from 27 reviews
RRP £22.99
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Released:14/07/2008
More Details
Studio:Warner Home Video
Director:Christopher Nolan
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Christian Bale, Gary Oldman
Running Time:140 minutes
Amazon.co.uk Review
In retrospect, Batman Begins is perhaps even more of a towering achievement than we first realised. Arriving eight years after the franchise-killing Batman & Robin, it managed to not only shine fresh light on the Batman franchise, but also emerge as a template for what a top notch comic book movie should be.
Much of the credit, of course, should go to the pairing of Christian Bale and director Christopher Nolan. Bale steps where the likes of Michael Keaton, Adam West and George Clooney have stepped before, and yet his Batman is darker and more complex than any of them.
Behind the camera is perhaps Batman Begins' secret weapon, as Nolan--previously responsible for Memento among others--rewards the gamble to give him the job in the first place. His film is packed full of memorable characters, and he draws together a staggering cast, yet none of them are shortchanged. From Rutger Hauer's brief cameo as head of Wayne Enterprises through to Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson and Liam Neeson, it's the finest cast in a film of this ilk since the first Superman.
The film's belated Blu-ray debut has, fortunately, been worth the wait, with the reference-quality 1080p image simply sparkling on any screen that can handle the resolution. Backed up with a thumping surround sound mix, this is superb work, and it's fitting that it should be used on a film of this quality. Now? We just need The Dark Knight to join it in high definition. That's what you'd call a double bill...-Jon Foster
Product Description
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy.Christopher Nolan (Director)
Tags
Action/Adventure, Videos
Reviews
Batman Begins is an extremely accomplished film. The direction is superb, and the script - more compelling, complex and darker than previous Batman films - is done full justice to by a distinguished cast of actors. The musical score is also very competent. In fact it is difficult to find fault with this impressive film and it is certainly in a class above previous Batman films. Any fan of comic book heroes is sure to love it, and they should prepare themselves for a masterclass in how to make comic-book hero film adaptations. The story line starts, as all good stories should, at the beginning, and develops into a typically dastardly comic-book plot in which one scarcely notices the ludicrous aspects (inherent to all super-hero plots) because by this time one has been utterly seduced by the dark realism. The intriguing tale of how he actually acquires all his fascinating adjuncts, from the sculpted suit and utility belt to the Batmobile, (inexplicably ignored by previous film makers) is dealt with here in satisfying detail at the appropriate time and with superb panache. This film certainly equals the high standards set by the Spiderman films, and in my opinion, exceeds them. But don't take my word for it - see it for yourself.
Batman Begins is a great movie, and I guess many people, like me, will be teased by the prospect of the upcoming The Dark Knight to invest in a shiny new Bluray version of Batman Begins, especially as it has a full scene from The Dark Knight in the extras.
I would rate this film as 5 stars on DVD, so what does Bluray offer?
The difference between decent upscaled DVD and Bluray is often marginal, and in some scenes I would be hard pressed to really tell much difference. However the city scapes, close detail (for example I could make out the intricate patterns on the wrist armour during the ice sword fight) and general depth of field are all improved on this Bluray version. I also noticed things like the snow swirlling when Bruce Wayne first enters Ra's castle had real depth and each flake could be seen landing on his jacket. It doesn't make the film any better, if you know what I mean, but somehow it just feels a bit more enjoyable to watch.
If you want this film then the Bluray is obviously better, but if you already have the DVD, don't expect to be "blown away" by the quality improvement. Those into their home cinema and picture clarity will find enough to justify the reasonable price.
The Dark Knight preview is an interesting scene (I guess the first scene in the movie with the Joker) and certainly got me looking forward to the full movie.
To be honest I wasn't bothered about the photo stills and 3D card that came with it, but my son loved them and has them on his wall...
One word describes this Blue Ray.......Awesome.
I'm sure everyone knows this actual movie by know and if you have never seen it before then you must have lived in a BAT Cave (see what i did there) for 3 years.
Christian Bale does a truly amazing job as DC Comics's Dark Knight BATMAN, in this re telling of BATMAN! it starts the movies all over again, and thanx to Joel Schumachers pathetic Batman Forever & the even worse Batman and Robin it was much needed. Accompanied by a stella cast including Micheal Cain, Gary Oldman , Morgan Freedman, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy and loads more, it beats Superman 2 and Spidey 2 to the greatest Super Hero Film of all time!
Now its on Blu Ray too, this film looks amazing in Hi-DEF- previously only avail on HD_DVD you can now experience this amazing fim with crystal clairity and perfect blu ray sound. The opening scenes of Ras Al Gouls palace thing takes your breath away as does there the city scape scenes of Gotham. Infact every scene looks HD terrific.
The special features to deserve a mention everything the DVD has and more, PIP directors commentry and loads of featurettes. The best bit though! you get the first 6 minutes of The Dark Knight! and it got me very excited! can't wait for it.
The actual box the Blu ray comes in is also impressive with a cool holographic front cover with the moving BATs and the cool art cards this was a bargin price. I have this movie on DVD and I still think the Blu Ray was a bargin, there not many pf my DVD's i will bother to get on Blu Ray too but this is def one worth getting!
This is how Blu-ray should be done. Great picture and sound quality accompanied by a great film!
Wow.
I wasn't expecting that!
I'm no fan of this genre of movie but this blew me away.
A must see movie experience.
Now in my top 10 of greatest films, Did I really say that? YES!!!
Get it in blue ray........... wow
