Batman Begins [HD] DVD

Batman Begins
The origins of the Caped Crusader of Gotham City are finally brought to the big screen in this new adaptation of the perennially popular comic-book series. The young Bruce Wayne (Gus Lewis) leads a privileged life as the son of wealthy, philanthropist parents, both of whom stress their commitment to improving the lives of the citizens of crime-ridden Gotham City. After his mother and father are murdered by a mugger, however, Wayne grows into an impudent young man (Christian Bale), full of rage and bent on retribution until encouraged by his childhood sweetheart, Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), to search for answers beyond his own personal vendettas. Wayne eventually finds discipline in the Far East under the tutelage of Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows who guides him in the study of martial arts -- and the ways in which an ordinary man can hone his senses to an almost superhuman acuity. After seven years away from Gotham, Wayne returns, determined to bring peace and safety back to the city. With the help of his faithful manservant, Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a scientist at his late father's corporation, Wayne develops a secret identity as Batman, a masked fighter for justice. But when a shady psychiatrist (Cillian Murphy) joins forces with the criminal underworld, Wayne realizes that putting an end to their nefarious plans will be very difficult indeed. Batman Begins also features Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon and Tom Wilkinson as the crime boss Carmine Falcone. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth Liam Neeson as Henri Ducard Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow Tom Wilkinson as Carmine Falcone Rutger Hauer as Earle Ken Watanabe as Ra's Al Ghul Mark Boone, Jr. as Flass Linus Roache as Thomas Wayne Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox Gus Lewis as Bruce Wayne (age 8)

Crew Dominic Masters - Art Director Peter Francis - Art Director Su Whitaker - Art Director Paul Kirby - Art Director Simon Lamont - Supervising Art Director Cheryl A. Tkach - Associate Producer John Papsidera - Casting Lucinda Syson - Casting Lindy Hemming - Costume Designer Cliff Lanning - First Assistant Director Christopher Nolan - Director Lee Smith - Editor Michael E. Uslan - Executive Producer Benjamin Melniker - Executive Producer James Newton Howard - Composer (Music Score) Hans Zimmer - Composer (Music Score) Nathan Crowley - Production Designer Wally Pfister - Cinematographer Emma Thomas - Producer Larry Franco - Producer Charles Roven - Producer Peter Lindsay - Sound/Sound Designer Sy Hollands - Stunts Coordinator Chris Corbould - Special Effects Supervisor David S. Goyer - Screen Story Christopher Nolan - Screenwriter David S. Goyer - Screenwriter Dan Glass - Visual Effects Supervisor Janek Sirrs - Visual Effects Supervisor Gary Rizzo - Re-Recording Mixer Lora Hirschberg - Re-Recording Mixer Stefan Henrix - Supervising Sound Editor David Evans - Supervising Sound Editor Cutting Edge - Visual Effects Moving Picture Company - Visual Effects Rising Sun Pictures - Visual Effects Double Negative Ltd. - Visual Effects Jim Henson's Creature Shop - Visual Effects BUF - Visual Effects Senate Visual Effects - Visual Effects Paki Smith - Set Decorator Simon Wakefield - Set Decorator

Batman Begins
The Dark Knight lives again with Batman Begins, a stunning big-screen reintroduction that resurrects a crippled franchise and does justice to the legacy of the dark Caped Crusader. Director Christopher Nolan and writer David Goyer boldly turn their backs on Burton's inspired gothic styling and Schumacher's gaudy odes to camp and instead weave the character into a convincing modern world that acts as an enticing base for what's to come. Though the design might seem a bit jarring, the pair sells it all thanks to the grounded context they've laid out; it doesn't hurt that the flick is a virtual who's who of Hollywood, with heavyweights lending their credibility to each role as this new universe is established for the crime fighter. Batman himself is one mean, angry machine, played to a hilt by Christian Bale. While the character's voice has its on-and-off moments, for the most part, Bale delivers a solid study of the vigilante billionaire. Supporting him effortlessly in their roles are such stalwarts as Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Liam Neeson, who shine in an abundance of solid performances. And while easily the weakest link the otherwise top-notch cast, the young Katie Holmes surely handles one of the most poignant lines in reference to who and what Bruce Wayne really is; just one moment out of many that nails the core of what makes the mythos tick. In fact, the results are downright frightening at times, adding to the excitement of how different this version feels. For everything it does right, the movie does have a few shortfalls, starting with the furiously edited action scenes. While Nolan tried to capture the criminal's confusion, far too often the close flashes of breathless cuts overload on too much visual chaos for the audience to register. Some have fault with the music as well, with both James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer collaborating on an eclectic score that features no driving superhero theme (though one was originally written). In their defense, this isn't the kind of rousing piece of work that deserves that kind of pageantry, nor should its exclusion take away from their otherwise superlative work. DC Comics finally has a film worthy of Marvel's most successful theatrical outings, and if this and the zinger that's at the end of the movie is any indication, there's plenty more good stuff on the way. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
 

Chris Corbould: British Academy Awards, Best Visual Effects (nominated) Christopher Nolan: London Film Critics Association, Best British Director (nominated) Cillian Murphy: London Film Critics Association, Best British Supporting Actor (nominated) Dan Glass: British Academy Awards, Best Visual Effects (nominated) David Evans: British Academy Awards, Best Sound (nominated) Hans Zimmer: Chicago Film Critics Association, Best Original Score (nominated) Hans Zimmer: Online Film Critics Association, Best Score (nominated) James Newton Howard: Chicago Film Critics Association, Best Original Score (nominated) James Newton Howard: Online Film Critics Association, Best Score (nominated) Janek Sirrs: British Academy Awards, Best Visual Effects (nominated) Nathan Crowley: Art Directors Guild, Best Art Direction - Period or Fantasy Film (nominated) Nathan Crowley: British Academy Awards, Best Production Design (nominated) Peter Lindsay: British Academy Awards, Best Sound (nominated) Stefan Henrix: British Academy Awards, Best Sound (nominated) Wally Pfister: Academy, Best Cinematography (nominated) Wally Pfister: American Society of Cinematographers, Best Cinematography (nominated)

Phoenix Film Critics Association, Best Stunts (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French, Spanish Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish Sound Processing: Additional Features: In-Move Experience: Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer and others reveal the movie's backstories as you watch Tankman Begins: a Batman Begins spoof Batman - The Journey Begins: concept, design and development of the film as well as the casting of Batman himself Shaping Mind and Body: observe Christian Bale's transformation into Batman Gotham City Rises: witness the creation of Gotham City, the Batcave, Wayne Manor and more Cape and Cowl: the development of the new Batsuit Batman - The Tumbler: the reinvention of the Batmobile Path to Discovery: a look at the first week filming on rugged and remote Iceland locations Saving Gotham City: the development of miniatures, CGI and effects for the Monorail Chase scene Genesis of the Bat: a look at the Dark Knight's incarnation and influences on the film Reflections on Writing Batman Begins with David S. Goyer Digital Batman: the effects you may have missed Batman Begins Stunts Confidential Files: discover facts and story points not in the film Stills gallery Theatrical trailer DVD Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1: 2.40:1 MPAA Rating: PG13 DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 140 min