batman 5 stuff
Everywhere you go people are praising Christopher Nolan's BATMAN BEGINS. It seems as though Warner Bros. has made all the right decisions in attempt to clear the horrible taste left in the mouth of the fans from BATMAN FOREVER and possibly the worst superhero film of all time, BATMAN AND ROBIN. Besides the random rumors about shooting locations and wardrobe, all the hype has been focused on the movie's cast. Impressive? Yes, 11 Oscar nominations and 2 wins (both by Michael Caine) might make this the best comic book movie ensemble ever. We know the actors but who are these guys playing? We've decided to make it easy on the people that don't have a PhD in the field of Batman biographies and look a little deeper into who's who.
CHRISTIAN BALE - BATMAN/BRUCE WAYNE
The easy thing to do is compare Bale to his predecessors, Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney. Remember though, the title of the movie is BATMAN BEGINS not BATMAN: MIDLIFE CRISIS. This is story I've always wanted to see on screen, with a young ass whoopin' billionaire taking out the pain of watching his parents being murdered on Gotham City's lowest life forms. Bale is going to be huge in this movie, and I don't just mean physically. His acclaimed portrayal of young James Graham in 1987's EMPIRE OF THE SUN thrust Bale into his own spotlight only to have it slowly dim until a powerful performance in 2000's AMERICAN PSYCHO. He's proved his action capabilities with 2002's REIGN OF FIRE and EQUILIBRIUM and is once again receiving praise as Trevor Reznik in Brad Anderson's THE MACHINIST. Look for Bale to own your ass when this movie is released. CASTING GRADE: 9.5/10
MICHAEL CAINE - ALFRED PENNYWORTH
At first glance, he might seem like an ordinary tuxedo wearing butler but when it comes to important figures in the life of Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Albert ranks higher than any other. He's minded after Bruce since the death of his parents and been a key player when it comes to operation of the Bat-cave, healing wounds, covering the Bat's ass, and cleaning the house. The role for Caine is not unlike his portrayal of Nigel Powers in GOLDMEMBER. A secondary character played by one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors. Caine will add the needed humor and cool confidence, traits that have always helped Albert inject sanity into the otherwise chaotic lifestyle of the Dark Knight. CASTING GRADE: 9/10
MORGAN FREEMAN - LUCIOUS FOX
This is where it get a little tricky. Lucious Fox has never been a huge contributor to the Bat-saga yet Nolan opted to go with the drawing power and uncanny acting abilities of one of the world's most popular dramatic actors in Freeman. Now, I haven't read the script so how much Fox is written into the story is unknown to me, but getting such an established personality might backfire if every scene he's in is stolen from Bale. Fox is the man who runs WayneCorp and a true friend to the man he calls boss even though he's still kept in the dark about the whole superhero/ vigilante thing. CASTING GRADE: 7/10
GARY OLDMAN - LT. JAMES GORDON
It's being stressed that this is "Lieutenant" James Gordon and not quite yet the Commissioner we've all become familiar with on television and past films. Oldman turns 46 next week. For some reason he doesn't embody the young strapping cop I always believed Gordon to be in his heyday. That said, Oldman has always surprised me with his character abilities. Dracula in DRACULA, Drexl Spivey in TRUE ROMANCE, Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK, Mason Verger in HANNIBAL, these are all memorable characters. Jim Gordon has a chance to join that list. I've always loved the relationship between the cop and the bat, not your typical enemies but at the same time, they're not going out for beers after rounding up the bad guys. Gordon has always known how to use the quick and efficient justice of The Batman to his advantage while carrying a boat-load of subplots within his own complex life. Getting Oldman tells me the makers of this film might dig into the lieutenant deeper than usual and if that's the case, Oldman will hold his own. CASTING GRADE: 7.5/10
LIAM NEESON - HENRI DUCARD
Henri Ducard was a major player in the molding of Bruce Wayne in his desire to become the ultimate stealth. The Frenchman Interpol agent trained Wayne in the art of manhunting and all the attributes that go along with being a top of the line spy. Neeson should slide right in as the role of the mentor, picking up some tricks of the trade as Obi Wan's teach in THE PHANTOM MENACE. Just add a tiny little mustache and he's all set. CASTING GRADE: 8/10
KEN WATANABE - RA'S AL GHUL
With a name meaning The Demon's Head and a nickname like The Immortal, there was no better villain for Nolan to introduce to the world of Batman on screen. The comic's history between Ra's and Batman is long and complex with storylines involving an attempt by Ra's to have Batman marry his daughter, Talia, in attempt to make him his heir. The history of his character remains a mystery in the books so look for a somewhat new introduction to the character in the movie. Watanabe didn't waste any time becoming a headliner after the success he found with THE LAST SAMURAI and the intensity and skill he boasted in that film should aid him well when he goes head to head with Bale. CASTING GRADE: 9/10
CILLIAN MURPHY - Dr. JONATHAN CRANE (aka THE SCARECROW)
A one-time professor at the University of Gotham, Crane specialized in the field of phobias. After falling into a life of crime he devised ways of using drugs, chemicals, and electronics to spread fear amongst anyone surrounding him. The stick-thin Murphy fits the description of the villain to a tee. No matter how small of a part The Scarecrow might have in this film, I think it's going have a huge impact. The character has been one of Batman's longest running foes and always proves to be a worthwhile fight by exposing Batman to his inner demons. People are going to want more of this guy. CASTING GRADE: 8/10
KATIE HOLMES - RACHEL CASPIAN
Don't know much about Ms. Caspian but early indications from the production says she's a childhood friend of Bruce and his main love interest in the film. And it's Katie Holmes for Christ's sake. CASTING GRADE: 8/10 (cuz she's hot)
So there you have it, a little of what to expect when the Bat gets rolling and tries to save an all but dead movie franchise. The best comic book cast ever? You bet your ass. It Begins.
CHRISTIAN BALE - BATMAN/BRUCE WAYNE
The easy thing to do is compare Bale to his predecessors, Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney. Remember though, the title of the movie is BATMAN BEGINS not BATMAN: MIDLIFE CRISIS. This is story I've always wanted to see on screen, with a young ass whoopin' billionaire taking out the pain of watching his parents being murdered on Gotham City's lowest life forms. Bale is going to be huge in this movie, and I don't just mean physically. His acclaimed portrayal of young James Graham in 1987's EMPIRE OF THE SUN thrust Bale into his own spotlight only to have it slowly dim until a powerful performance in 2000's AMERICAN PSYCHO. He's proved his action capabilities with 2002's REIGN OF FIRE and EQUILIBRIUM and is once again receiving praise as Trevor Reznik in Brad Anderson's THE MACHINIST. Look for Bale to own your ass when this movie is released. CASTING GRADE: 9.5/10
MICHAEL CAINE - ALFRED PENNYWORTH
At first glance, he might seem like an ordinary tuxedo wearing butler but when it comes to important figures in the life of Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Albert ranks higher than any other. He's minded after Bruce since the death of his parents and been a key player when it comes to operation of the Bat-cave, healing wounds, covering the Bat's ass, and cleaning the house. The role for Caine is not unlike his portrayal of Nigel Powers in GOLDMEMBER. A secondary character played by one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors. Caine will add the needed humor and cool confidence, traits that have always helped Albert inject sanity into the otherwise chaotic lifestyle of the Dark Knight. CASTING GRADE: 9/10
MORGAN FREEMAN - LUCIOUS FOX
This is where it get a little tricky. Lucious Fox has never been a huge contributor to the Bat-saga yet Nolan opted to go with the drawing power and uncanny acting abilities of one of the world's most popular dramatic actors in Freeman. Now, I haven't read the script so how much Fox is written into the story is unknown to me, but getting such an established personality might backfire if every scene he's in is stolen from Bale. Fox is the man who runs WayneCorp and a true friend to the man he calls boss even though he's still kept in the dark about the whole superhero/ vigilante thing. CASTING GRADE: 7/10
GARY OLDMAN - LT. JAMES GORDON
It's being stressed that this is "Lieutenant" James Gordon and not quite yet the Commissioner we've all become familiar with on television and past films. Oldman turns 46 next week. For some reason he doesn't embody the young strapping cop I always believed Gordon to be in his heyday. That said, Oldman has always surprised me with his character abilities. Dracula in DRACULA, Drexl Spivey in TRUE ROMANCE, Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK, Mason Verger in HANNIBAL, these are all memorable characters. Jim Gordon has a chance to join that list. I've always loved the relationship between the cop and the bat, not your typical enemies but at the same time, they're not going out for beers after rounding up the bad guys. Gordon has always known how to use the quick and efficient justice of The Batman to his advantage while carrying a boat-load of subplots within his own complex life. Getting Oldman tells me the makers of this film might dig into the lieutenant deeper than usual and if that's the case, Oldman will hold his own. CASTING GRADE: 7.5/10
LIAM NEESON - HENRI DUCARD
Henri Ducard was a major player in the molding of Bruce Wayne in his desire to become the ultimate stealth. The Frenchman Interpol agent trained Wayne in the art of manhunting and all the attributes that go along with being a top of the line spy. Neeson should slide right in as the role of the mentor, picking up some tricks of the trade as Obi Wan's teach in THE PHANTOM MENACE. Just add a tiny little mustache and he's all set. CASTING GRADE: 8/10
KEN WATANABE - RA'S AL GHUL
With a name meaning The Demon's Head and a nickname like The Immortal, there was no better villain for Nolan to introduce to the world of Batman on screen. The comic's history between Ra's and Batman is long and complex with storylines involving an attempt by Ra's to have Batman marry his daughter, Talia, in attempt to make him his heir. The history of his character remains a mystery in the books so look for a somewhat new introduction to the character in the movie. Watanabe didn't waste any time becoming a headliner after the success he found with THE LAST SAMURAI and the intensity and skill he boasted in that film should aid him well when he goes head to head with Bale. CASTING GRADE: 9/10
CILLIAN MURPHY - Dr. JONATHAN CRANE (aka THE SCARECROW)
A one-time professor at the University of Gotham, Crane specialized in the field of phobias. After falling into a life of crime he devised ways of using drugs, chemicals, and electronics to spread fear amongst anyone surrounding him. The stick-thin Murphy fits the description of the villain to a tee. No matter how small of a part The Scarecrow might have in this film, I think it's going have a huge impact. The character has been one of Batman's longest running foes and always proves to be a worthwhile fight by exposing Batman to his inner demons. People are going to want more of this guy. CASTING GRADE: 8/10
KATIE HOLMES - RACHEL CASPIAN
Don't know much about Ms. Caspian but early indications from the production says she's a childhood friend of Bruce and his main love interest in the film. And it's Katie Holmes for Christ's sake. CASTING GRADE: 8/10 (cuz she's hot)
So there you have it, a little of what to expect when the Bat gets rolling and tries to save an all but dead movie franchise. The best comic book cast ever? You bet your ass. It Begins.