Superhero Rewind: Batman Begins Review

[@01ChaosWarrior]

On the subject of Ra's immortality I always thought that that line was supposed to imply that, like Batman himself, Ra's is a legend. He can be anyone who is willing to take on the mantle, and thus can never die. That also would be fitting as Batman's first great challenge is to face the very idea that he needs to become to help Gotham.

[@razkable]

Michael Salter yep as a man waynes beatable.....but as batmans a symbol...he cant be destroyed corrupted or restricted by rules...

[@SquareMaster316]

The greatest comic book origin movie to kick start the single greatest CBM trilogy in the history of cinema!

[@supersaiyangodsupersaiyanm7886]

Agreed

[@ScratchBuiltPro]

Agreed

[@tonydamico8075]

I love you reviews. They are very detailed and interesting when you examine the characters. Do you write reviews as well?

[@fakescorpion112]

Batman Begins is my favorite superhero movie and I love this review so much! "Compassion" really separates this Batman from most others since he felt bad not only for the victims but also for the people he put away. So happy you noted the difference as well!

[@farbodpirouz9458]

I think the Arkham Batman is the perfect Batman

[@TUkrLad]

especially Arkham city

[@farbodpirouz9458]

I'd say City and Asylum both, because they touched on different aspects of his character.

[@TUkrLad]

Connor Kenway true, i'm looking forward to Arkham Knight, because the trailer Bruce Wayne is just perfect, built up, blue eyes, dark hair, and most of all his fighting technique :)

[@OneAndOnlyYesMan]

“Sorry it’s so long” just you wait cap, just you wait...

[@astrostar49]

I've literally watched this Superhero Rewind at least ten times. It's my favorite Superhero movie and I think you hit on a lot of good points. I can't wait for you to do The Dark Knight Rises. I hope it's close to an hour long of a review LOL.

[@DanMcKinnonmindfuldan]

This is a fantastic analysis of what I consider the greatest movie based on comic books ever made.

[@Manu-edits-only]

Dan McKinnon Second one to me (I appreciate Dark Knight more because of the five-act structure, the Joker and Two-Face, Gordon's character in the film, etc.).

[@marelicainavokado]

I loved this movie because it has a good background, not just a guy that gets beaten up so much he should have been dead 10 times over and have monkey sex with a generic chick. Ghul wasn't just a stereotypical evil guy, he was complex and likeable all the way until he decided to starve Gotham instead of introducing another disease. But I did find Rachel's bitching annoying. He was angry because his parents were dead, so she yells at him and shows him the underworld he was not responsible for, but then disses him when he WAS doing something to improve the city?

[@sabelotoda2]

Ok i realized you wrote this a long time ago but since you're comments about Rachel are soo dumb i have to answer SHe yelld at him because he was acting like a duchebag saying that revenge and justice are the same thing and she showed him the underworld so that he would stop being so selfish and so the pain the city was in and did something about it like his parents that scene is one of the most important parts of the trilogy as is the reason why bruce becomes batman and he doesn't kill

[@marelicainavokado]

sabelotoda2 Chill wasn't a poor, hungry man like Rachel and Ra's said, he was a real criminal that had no problem killing two parents for no good reason while their child was watching and then lie to Falcone that Thomas was begging him like a dog not to shoot him. He would have returned to crime after his sentence was over. If you're think only prison is OK, then you should also be happy with Bundy and ISIS terrorists watching TV and scratching their balls in prison all day too. If you are, then you're Jesus.

[@DMichiganWol21]

Captain Logan...I just want to thank you for your hard work. This is one of my favorite movies of all time and I just want to say thank you for your detailed reviews. I appreciate all your hard work and I love all your reviews. I don't post too much but I just wanted to thank you for everything. Take care.

[@christianalarcon3182]

I gotta say I love your review and how you support everything in detail about the film. One of the best reviews Ive heard. Nice job dude

[@CosmoShidan]

I have to say, Batman Begins has quite the Aristotelean bent to it. Just the idea of Batman being the inspiration unto others. Even his father bestowing his values is what Aristotle advocates in that we need idealistic virtuous persons to bestow knowledge and principles and that a virtuous person is required to do this. In Aristotle's mind, people need something to aspire to.

[@NelsonStJames]

Batman showed what a comic book adaptation can be with a good script and good actors to back it up. This site is doing without a doubt some of the best, in depth analysis of this genre of film that I've found. It's the kind of criticism I'd love to have taken to my film professors back when I was in film school.

[@J1P2K]

I got into a talk with an old teacher of mine about Al Gul. His said that he is not immortel, but a name that is just passed down from one person to the other when the old Al Gul dies. I can believe that, if they see it's like a title more then a name, like King or Emperor.

[@SavageBroadcast]

@Geekvolution I personally find it amazing how much Batman owes to The Shadow, yet gets so little credit. The very first Batman comic was based off a Shadow pulp, as were a number of Batman's rogues gallery, who mirror The Shadow's own colourful enemies.

[@MexicanDicer]

dis is wat ive been waiting for u guys! nolans batmans' review! thanks so much dudes! keep it up pls!

[@ggameboy10]

The shadow.

[@MistareFusion]

Wow, this video introduced me to the new extended KZbin capabilities. You were afraid it might have gone on too long, and when I first started watching it, I was afraid of that too, but when it was winding down, I found myself hoping it would go on much longer. Love this movie. Great job!

[@brainwasher9876]

The reviewer gave a great review, and he's absolutely right when he says this movie is somewhat forgotten in the wake of the tremendous success of the Dark Knight. That being said, I feel like it's overshadowed for a good reason; I believe that the Dark Knight was a better movie.

[@MichaelMcCallister097]

But this is better then stuff like TAS or Iron man 2, and I'm sure that Batman Begins gets overlooked more than stuff like that.

[@MichaelMcCallister097]

I used those examples because they came out around the same time as tdk btw.

[@robertwild9447]

I hate it when people say "Batman Begins is a good movie, just not a good Batman movie". This review does a fantastic job at proving this statement wrong. Now, if you're a bigger fan of the emphasis on sic fi, supernatural, and detective work when it comes to Batman, I can see why this movie isn't for you. It obviously is not a film for everybody (no film is). But this review once again proves how many directions you can take the story of Batman, there simply isn't a "definitive" version of Batman. You need the core basics, his name is Bruce Wayne, he dresses like a bat to fight crime, but that's really about it. There will always be different directions to take the character. Not all of them work (some downright fail, like Batman and Robin) but it's never because of the direction they go, it's the poor execution. Batman and Robin COULD have worked (because we have the 60s TV show, which knows what it's doing and is smart about it) but Batman and Robin is simply a bad, poorly executed film.

[@jmiester25]

Her death in the second movie added so much depth to Batman. We as an audience felt Bruce's sadness when she died. This added emotion and anticipation for The Dark Knight AND The Dark Knight Rises to expand. If you ask me, it's the same as Han Solo being taken from us in The Empire Strikes Back.

[@SevenEllen]

Fantastic analysis! :D I loved this film and I wasn't sorry this review was long. It was thoroughly enjoyable to listen to, and I appreciated your love for the piece as a whole. And please do write your paper about the symbolism of bats, I'd be happy to hear it. :-)

[@conwayandwhitmanman]

great review, I also thought Nolan and Goyer did an exceptional job in circling the idea of a father figure for Bruce throughout his journey. Yes, his father and mother were gunned down but you take Alfred, Lucius, and even Ra's/Ducard and you get the father figures who shape this guy into the hero he becomes.

[@KISSArmy2202]

"Wait! You could die, at least tell me your name." "It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me."

[@Weezing336]

Dang man you really dig deep into movies and I really appreciate it and I love listening to you.

[@OptimusPhillip]

Rachel's line about Bruce Wayne's face being the mask and Batman's face being the true face reminds me of a line from the Sins Past story arc in Spider-Man where a recording of Norman Osborn tells his bastard son (I mean literal bastard, pardon the use of the word) the same thing about the Green Goblin (or in the son's case, Grey Goblin).

[@0ACapedCrusader0]

Knowing what we do now about the plot of "The Dark Knight Rises" I have to wonder if both Bruce and the audience will find out if he did the right thing by not saving Ra's, and what the conseqences for that decision will be.

[@Geekvolution]

I've done video before, but I stopped when it was flagged for copyright. I can't keep the series here on KZbin if I don't stick to the stills. I actually polled my subs a while back about it, and they voted to keep it here on KZbin with the stills. -CL

[@JustinRobinsonEdits]

You mentioned how close up and hard to see the fights are in this movie, and Red Letter Media mentioned that too in one of their reviews. There's actually only one fight that really exaggerates the close up shakiness, and that's Batman's first fight in the docks before he reveals himself to Falcony. I think because he has that reveal to Falcony, Nolan filmed the fight super close and shaky so that the audience doesn't see the full Batman for the first time until Falcony does.

[@gstone8255]

I think the idea of the League of Assassins/Shadow is fascinating and a really good one. The notion of an organisation that destroys corrupt civilisations is intriguing. The line "We sacked Rome, loaded trade ships with plague rats, burned London to the ground." is great. And Liam Neeson is just amazing in this movie !

[@DocAlexandrite]

The phrase 'we fear what we don't understand' was also used in Batman Returns.

[@astrostar49]

This one of the most brilliant films ever made. Not just superhero films, but pure films I'd like to think. It really changed a lot of things. I know a lot of people like The Dark Knight, but I like this one a lot more. It really explores Bruce and the man that he is.

[@Sydpart2]

see people overlook an incredibly small detail during the train fight. Batman does give Ra's an out. He delivers the "I don't have to save you" line and breaks one of the windows of the train to give Ra's a chance to escape. The guy is the leader of an ancient cult that trains it's members to disappear quickly and attempt to survive everything, that's why there were so many members left to go against Gotham after Bruce destroyed the house. As far as I'm concerned Ras is still alive in Nolan con.

[@razkable]

having wayne travel the world is cool in the comics and then he became batman through experience...training as a ninja cool...but what makes begins backstory so different but still cool is the part when wayne says why hes travelling the world...aka to learn the mindset of the criminals he will be facing...for years not months actual years in the slums...he actually has to figure out the psyche motives of criminals..thats something different but so true and a nice new add on...good job film...very realistic...keep your allies close but your enemies closer...learn from you foes

[@TheDarkwasp]

This length of time is just right for Batman Begins, this is my favourite superhero movie of all time, mostly because of the plot, character, and writing. But also I am Irish and there are two brilliant Irish villains, hell yes!

[@SSJerry]

The definitive live action Batman so far! Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan were fantastic choices to bring this beloved character to life. In this film you understand exactly how Bruce became the legend he becomes while also coming to really enjoy all his allies in Rachel Dose, James Gordon, Lucius Fox, and of course Alfred Pennyworth! But impressively, the rogues gallery here are also very well adapted and integrated into the story. From the lesser villains like Joe Chill to Dr. Crane, it's all well done. Batman's journey definitely feels realistic, and I really appreciate the explanations as to how he acquires and modifies all his tech and gadgets, as well as hones his skills with the League of Shadows. All that was super creative and impressive. The story all around is this way too. My main gripe really is that the martial arts action is shot too choppy and close to really enjoy as you'd want from a Batman fight sequence. Particularly the climax battle with Ra's Al Ghul, and Batman's battle against his 4 "Pawns" as he puts it. The music is also very fitting and sounds great! It's a 9/10. Side note, the first time I saw this film I didn't know anything about Ra's Al Ghul and I definitely wasn't expecting the plot twist of Henri Decard actually being the main man himself! Also I enjoyed seeing Victor Zsasz in this, and he was given the perfect amount of screen time for what this story was.

[@samlight95]

Your rewind reviews are great and I LOVED your Dark Knight review, its the first review I've read in yeas that stimuated some new ideas within me about the film that I'd never heard before somewhere else. This review is great aswell and I know you encourage discussion and alternate opinion, one aspect you discuss here is tat we don't see Batman fight very clearly in this one, at face value I think you are right in that Nolan is perhaps pushing the notion of character development s a key...

[@nightwishfan1991]

When I went to go see this movie I really had no idea how this movie was going to be. Right when came out of the theater all I said was wow and that was all I needed to say.

[@ultimateranger213]

3:29 I think that Nolan wanted to develop a realistic way of showing how Batman/Bruce Wayne developed his fighting style in Begins, and he wanted to delve into the detective skills in Dark Knight. That's how I received them, anyway.

[@benderB9]

This review is epic, both in lenght and in quality. Excellent job !

[@stitch99]

One important thing to consider in whether or not Batman should have saved R'as: R'as placed himself there and did not take any opportunity to escape before then because he was trying to kill Bruce. Bruce set up for the train to crash to save everyone else but R'as could have left of his own volition.

[@jstephenj]

@Geekvolution And since you elaborated upon the pop culture influence that films like Superman and X-Men have had on the film industry over the years, I feel that it would be interesting to see what your take on Arkham Asylum has had on the gaming medium. It's too early to tell what influence AA will have, but you did see some traces of influence in last year's Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions -- particularly in the Noir Spiderman sequences.

[@stitch99]

@GameCreatorJJ Um, yes it is. It spans those six months between Begins and Dark Knight. Even on the back of the box, it refers to itself as such. It depicts how Batman rose to the point of noteriety that the mafia needed to take him out. It segues rather nicely, featuring such elements from Begins as the fear toxin clouded island and the original character Anna Ramirez, a secondary but necessary part of The Dark Knight.

[@PaytonWestlake]

I always thought that during that train scene when Batman says "I don't have to save you" he should have instead said "I can't save you". This way the line would work on many more levels; It could be interpreted literally and figuratively, It would echo Ra's role as the father that bruce could not save, It would also connote Ra's morality which put him beyond saving. Batman could rescue Ra's but he can't save him.

[@dylansamanthapeddle3814]

I really like Nolan's Batman Trilogy. Cillian Murphy is one of my new favourite actors so it was nice to see him as Scarecrow

[@nary4d4]

Another great review to a great superhero movie. I especially liked how you pointed out how two villians work in the same movie. The lesser one works for the other. Hopefully, Nolan will continue this with Bane & Catwoman in the next one. Look forward to your review of The Dark Knight, second only to Richard Donner's Superman as the best superhero movie ever made.

[@OptimusPhillip]

Well I never read the Batman comics (except for me recently reading the comic where he catches Joe Chill), so I didn't know about that. And I've seen stock footage of Two-Face and he seems cool. I just heard that Joker makes the movie less than kid-friendly

[@TheDalinkwent]

One of the great things about BB, was Nolan giving many logical reasons for why Bruce becomes Batman, the scene where Falconi explains the power of fear to Bruce is great, it made Bruce feel powerless and angry at the same time which might have been the final notch to make him become Batman.

[@Geekvolution]

@brunobb1 Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! -Captain Logan

[@OptimusPhillip]

My dad said it was scary and my friend said that Joker's red grin was a scar from when his father as a kid cut a smile into his face and that's all I was going by.

[@fabroc8]

My favorite scene is when bruce "calls" all the bats to help him with the police situation... Oh man I remember when I saw that on the theater and I geekout remembering batman year one... hahaha

[@angelxsquared]

I really enjoy your superhero reviews and I know you still have several films to go but I feel there are so many good comic book movies that don't get enough credit. Would you ever consider reviewing a film like Oldboy, Ghost World, American Splendor, Road to Perdition or A History of Violence

[@Cazz8203]

dude I like goin through all your reviews...its fun to see someone actually review these movies with a level head instead of just an insane amount of agression. My problem is the music at the beginning of all your reviews....its insanely loud. I have to turn my speakers up quite a bit to hear what ur saying during the review and then I go to the next review and forget to turn my speakers back down and that music starts up and almost gives me a heart attack!!! lol

[@2Fiddle4U]

I always thought Ducard was Ra's al Ghul because he looked much more closer to him in the comics (example: THE GOATEE!). If anything, Ken Watanabe looked like a bald Mandarin, The Iron Man villain. And, Bruce spent more time with Ducard, their dynamic was much more fleshed out, it would've been disappointing if this wasn't true

[@Geekvolution]

I tried it out once but when it went free, the servers were really jammed up and everything about it was way too slow. Haven't gotten on again since. -CL

[@jstephenj]

@Geekvolution I hope that you seriously reconsider doing a review on Batman: Arkham Asylum -- especially as the release of Arkham City draws near. I think the game does represent a milestone for not just Batman alone, but for comic book games in general in that it broke the cycle and delivered a top notch game that could stand toe to toe with game series like God of War, Uncharted, Modern Warfare.

[@nfsmohpsp]

awesomeness is strong in your channel brother !!

[@SquareMaster316]

Do you feel that 2012 will be the apex of Batman Begins' influence on the comic genre? TDKR goes without saying, but Marvel used the reception of Iron Man (A film that was noted by many, director included, to be majorly influenced by BB) to launch the Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man has referenced BB as not only a inspiration as far as resetting the franchise, but emulating the tone, as well.

[@zobe70]

I LOVE YOUR SUPERHERO REWIND VIDEOS!

[@MalzraAirwynn]

Something I'm a bit curious about regarding Batman Begins. I liked Ras and all, but in this movie I really liked Dr Crane/Scarecrow a lot more, and sometimes wonder how the movie would have played out if Scarecrow had been the main villain. Any thoughts on that?

[@KosmosDream]

i like how you analyze movie, you make them sound like something serious then just superhero films

[@Conspirator19]

This is my favorite Superhero rewind episode, no questions asked

[@ghostwhiskey]

the year one comic is almost excactly like the animated movie,still i recommend you read it. i feel that its,if not the best,its one of the 2 best batman stories. the other being long halloween which i highly reccomend if you can find it. dark knight returns is also good. theres a joker story called the man who laughs that his baisically a sequel to year one,not,oddly enough,year 2. that one isnt really a sequel. long halloween is set around the same time period as year one

[@cacaman3000]

i agree, i liked the detective batman a lot more than the beat'em up batman but i wasn't a fan of the purple gloves in the early detective comics haha and i did pretty much forget about this movie after dark knight, so thanks for reminding me of how good this movie was

[@MrCorellian]

That was awesome. I love these superhero rewinds. So often I'll come out of a good movie and think "man I wish we would have to discuss that in English class." This series basically does that! It takes fun movies, and critically analyzes them on a deeper level, and it's SO interesting! :D

[@TheUnrealStudios]

one of the best reviewers on youtube for the comic book genre, love the analysis, keep it up Cap :)

[@Geekvolution]

@Gradient14 I'll be reviewing Dark Knight just before Rises comes out. -CL

[@TheDarkwasp]

@sebastiandahero Darkman is not a comic book movie, after it was made comics based on it came out, not the other way around. It's ok a lot of people have it wrong

[@NeeksnFreaks]

nah batman does save ras i didnt notice either hbut wen he says u never leanred to use your surroundings he has two batarangas throughs behind him but throughs one at another window which i think is meant as an escape route for ras

[@Geekvolution]

@SavageBroadcast That's true-- I've made connections with Zorro, but not so much with the Shadow. Thanks for that. -CL

[@Shmulvey]

Dude, your reviews are spot on.

[@jstephenj]

@Geekvolution Now granted, Shattered Dimensions did fall short when compared to Asylum, but I'm sure that as more and more software publishers eventually begin crafting top quality comic book titles in the future, gamers and critics will cite Arkham Asylum as a true turning point, much in the same way that many often credit Richard Donnor for getting the ball rolling in regards to successful comic book themed films.

[@samlight95]

...factor in his picture, however I think you can take this further. Nolan stated that there were fundamental ideas behind each film, DKR was pain, DK was chaos and BB was Fear. I think the fact that we rarely see Batman fight clearly in this one adds to that fear and puts the audience in the position of the criminals that he fights by making them unable to truly see what he's doing and thus creating that same fear and lack of complete understanding within the audience, just a thought, :D

[@theRealPlaidRabbit]

I saw the contrast between Ras and Batman as an illustration of the relationship between ends and means. Ras totally accepts using evil methods to accomplish what he believes to be a greater good. Batman refuses to count on the ends to justify the means, which is why he avoids killing people. Oh, and Liam Neeson is brilliant!

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

this was scary, i watchedthis film earlier today, and soon as it finished i came onto youtube and saw this in my subscriptions

[@JJA8020]

Well, I don't know about them going with the comic book version considering he had his face cut off and crudely sewn back on. More to the point, the movie itself, the action and violence, won't scare you; but if you're easily creeped out Heath Ledger's performance might. Also, if you're squeamish so might Harvey Dent's scarred face.

[@Antwon627]

@WhiteMamba824 And Plot? Come on, it address what happens when good men decide not to stand against evil, and it's results. It deals with the pain the occurs when losing some one dear to you. "But I know the rage that drives you. That impossible anger strangling the grief, until the memory of your loved one is just... poison in your veins. And one day, you catch yourself wishing the person you loved had never existed so you'd be spared your pain. " Henri Ducard Epic stuff bro.

[@JayJD585]

@kurvos That's a valid complaint, but dont forget there have been many interpertations of Batman and realistic Batman is one of them. I mean havent you ever read the long halloween or year one? Especially considering the fact those two books heavily influenced the Nolan films.

[@Curlymustacheftw]

@Sydpart2 i always wonder why he broke that window, you're right it is a small detail that's overlooked that really shouldnt be.

[@jbeihl1]

id definitely gets overlooked. I actually liked it a little better then the Dark Knight in certain aspects. It is more about Bruce Wayne, and that is interesting.

[@Geekvolution]

Just before Rises comes out. -CL

[@deadponic117]

killing through inaction or refusal to save someone is still killing.

[@TheMetalMilitia144]

(Part2) in ways i cant really explain but mostly to do with two face (harvey dent) story but i love both films and i can not wait to see the last one this summer i know it will be a great end to a fantastic trilogy.

[@TheKeyser94]

I think that The Dark Knight Rises was rushed to be pair of the success of The Dark Knight, and Ledger dead complicated things for the next movie, so they have to do everyone from point zero. In my personal opinion The Dark Knight Rises wasn't so bad, but they could mesh well the plot of The Dark Knight Returns with Knight Fall, that are the comics of what this movie is based off, with the original things that they were putting in the movie.

[@TheDarkknightrules92]

Brilliant analysis! I agree that this is one of my favorite films as well.

[@Angyali]

This is perhaps the most intelligent and well-worked-out review I have ever heard! Congratulations!

[@brunobb1]

omg...one of the best reviews ever...subbed

[@MakeLevelTheRoad]

Great review, would love to hear your thoughts on The Dark Knight Rises.

[@dvid22]

if 2004 punisher had come out at the same time as batman begins which do you think would have done better in the theater? (given the choice).

[@DVAlexe]

You are awesome! Very insightful, careful, intuitive and smart review! Make More!

[@arzn253]

Batman Begins was really good. It gave Batman a different twist, and even if you're not a Batman fan, you can enjoy it. Although, this one was really dark. Bats everywhere, Scarecrow's mask and fear serum, Rachel getting hurt, I felt sort of uneasy at parts, but that's also what I loved about it. I was hoping they'd have a different approach to that sort of thing, and they did with The Joker and his face-cutting, and Two-Face and his half burnt face.DKR didnt have anything like that it was basic

[@xSkylar64]

i love your reviews dude! they are the most in depth on youtube now i have to ask...do you play dcuo?

[@DrakeandChaseUPVlogs]

thank you im a huge fan cant wait for ur reviews on THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN, and TDK

[@OptimusPhillip]

When I first heard of The Dark Knight, I had no idea it was a Batman Begins sequel.

[@WilliamSriker]

I'm curious, is it ever stated that Ducard/Ra's founded the League of Shadows, perhaps each leader takes the title of Ra's Al Ghul, hence the idea of Ra's being immortal, as and idea living on in each leader

[@Geekvolution]

That Lucius Fox is amazing! -CL

[@SamsChanneI]

Another good review. If you ever do, when do you reckon you'll review the latest MARVEL movies that have lead up to the avengers? e.g Iron Man 2, the incredible hulk, captain america and thor

[@jmiester25]

The Dark Knight also had thought provoking themes: Anarchy, Sacrifice, Terrorism, Mania, etc. And don't sell it short. Yes Batman Begins was a character story, but where else was the franchise going to go? It was time to show the result of Batman's presence active in Gotham. It made sense that it was a crime drama, with HUGE subtext. It was like watching The Empire Strikes Back. Great movies that stand well on their own, but BETTER within their own trilogies...minus the prequels, of course :P

[@DaxmaPrime]

would you do a review on inception? i know its not a superhero movie but id like to see your thoughts on it.

[@TheLongHallway]

@SavageBroadcast About the seven years spent in Asia, it also made me think about "7 years in Tibet" for some reason...