Matt Essner: Comic Book Geek

So I totally geeked out today, not once but twice. One: I bought the Ultimates trade, which is something Pete and Steve have been suggesting for a long time, and I saw the midnight show of Batman Begins. Actually it sort of happened the other way around... kind of... So I knew I was going to see Batman tonight, I decided at like 1045 I was going to go, but no one could/wanted to come with me to the show. So I was at Hastings and I was thinking, "you know If I'm going to be sitting in a movie theater for 30+ minutes with no one to talk to, I'm going to be bored. Hey look Ultimates 1 is on sale (by one sale I mean it was available for purchase), Perhaps I should buy Ultimates to read while I wait." and I did.

The End


Not really, but it is the end if you haven't seen Batman Begins. If you haven't seen the movie, stop what you're doing. No go and see it. For those of you that have seen it, here are some of my reactions.


SWEET FUCKING FUCK!
That movie was amazing. FUCK! I'm speechless. Better than the other Batman movies, definately, best superhero movie, without a doubt, best comic book movie, very probably. This movie beat the crap out of X2 and Sin City. Ok let's break it down. The cast. Damn. Fuck. Damn.
I'm reduced to curse words.
Ok I'll start with the weak points. The costume isn't all that great. It seems bulky and difficult to move in, but you wouldn't know it from the action sequences. To some extent, the movie isn't as good when Batman is on screen. Actually a better way to say it is Christian Bale is much better at playing Bruce Wayne than Batman. He plays both roles, however, better than anyone else who's tried before him. Why do super hero movies always have to turn into lessons in ethics. remedial ethics, with superheroes as the teachers. There might be more, but after one viewing....
ok the good stuff. They decided to make Gotham a place. It's not just a series of banks, warehouses, Arkham and the police station. It's a real city.
The cast is amazing. It's good on paper, it's mindblowing on film. Liam Neeson is as Liam Neeson always is, his performance always lends so much credibilty and realism to whatever he is in. Morgan Freeman is one of the finest actors of his generation. He makes movies better by being involved. He can do Kevin Costner movies and still be one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. Micheal Caine plays Alfred as well as he's played any role he's ever played. Ken Watanabe's performance is subtle, and entirely appropriate for his role. Cillian Murphy is the best actor I've never seen before. Christian Bale delivers. Gary Oldman should be in every movie (especially ones of a pornographic nature) he's that good.
I really liked this movie because it's everything a Batman movie should be. People who go to this movie expecting something other than a Batman movie, are going to be dissapointed.