Spoiler Free.
After the overwhelming success of The Dark Knight it seems that Nolan was granted one opportunity by Warner Brothers to utilize a large Hollywood budget for an original idea of his own making. That film is Inception. Say what you like about it being a ploy to hold onto Nolan for one more installment of the bat franchise, but this is a refreshing gamble taken by a major studio who clearly have a lot of faith in Mr. Nolan, and rightly so. He is proving himself to be one of the most outstanding filmmakers around and Inception does not lower the bar.
Inception is ultimately a thriller involving drama, sci-fi as well as an epic love story at the heart of this film (pun definitely intended.) It is all combined to leave us with an exceptional experience narratively and visually. The story is extremely complex and pushes its audience to keep up with the deeper and deeper levels of labyrinth-style story structure. You must not go to the bathroom during this film. If you stop paying attention for a short while you will return completely out of the loop. To gain a great appreciation for this movie it demands your focus for the entirety of the screening.
I felt that during the first hour the film was worrying me a little. In this period the rules of the film are generally explained. What our characters can and can’t do. This is still a very fluid sequence of the film for such a clunky objective to achieve but wasn’t blowing me away all that much. As we moved into the ‘heist’ in the last third of the film things really began to crank up and I was drawn into a fantastic, tense ride of which you rarely experience in a film. The story became truly epic as Nolan clearly drew upon James Bond and Matrix influences to escalate the stakes.
There were excellent acting performances throughout with not one actor dropping the ball. DiCaprio was excellent as our hero through this strange world with some mysteries of his own and Ellen Page proved she can play the straight girl and still be compelling. The standout performance for me was from Tom Hardy from films such as Bronson, who excelled as the classy thief. One small problem is that Ken Watanabe who I’ve loved in some of his previous roles like The Last Samurai, was hard for both myself and my friend to understand in parts which was unfortunate. However it still remains, that the strength of the ensemble cast was very impressive and everyone delivered.
What really impressed me with this film was the thought and detail that was put into the script. The depth was exceptional for the story, plus the characters and their motives. I do feel that it is OK if you find yourself a little lost during the film. Questioning what is going on. Nolan wants you to feel like that. He keeps you interested to find out the answer, which he will deliver in time. When you leave the cinema you’ll be happy with the experience, questioning reality, dreams and time.
The ending was tantalizing and thought provoking, really leaving the audience on the edge of their seats. Whilst leaving the cinema I was astounded when thinking how creative this piece of work was and am delighted that the risk of creating such a project was taken. I hope that their faith is rewarded by a large turnout for the film to prove to Hollywood that audiences like to be challenged and be entertained by original ideas.
Many will claim this to be Nolan's masterpiece and I will admit it is an excellent film but for me the first hour of Inception isn’t quite as engaging as the rest, whereas I find The Dark Knight consistently compelling throughout. So surprise, surprise, I would say I prefer Nolan’s previous film but Inception is clearly a project Nolan's wanted to do for nearly a decade. I’m very glad he’s been able to produce this film and am very excited about all the techniques he has acquired to bring to Batman 3.
Inception:
Reviewed by Nick
So we all know that Chris Nolan has put all of his attention on a certain movie. This movie has peeked the interest not only Batman fans, but also cinema fans. Even though this has nothing to do with Batman other than a degree of separation, we want to cover this just to hype something that Nolan has devoted a fair amount of time on and to support the film. The success of this film will be a big part of Nolan moving on to Batman 3 and other DC Universe projects down the line.
So I first want to point out a really good set of articles that was sent over to me. Trevor Hogg of FlickeringMyth.com did a retrospective of Chris Nolan. He has broken this into three parts. The first one covers Chris Nolan's early days with film up. The first part can be found here. The second part covers Nolan's move to Hollywood and his first three major motion pictures; Insomnia, Batman Begins, and The Prestige. That article can be found here. The next part features what many consider Nolan's best work so far; The Dark Knight. It also covers everything that is known so far about Inception. That part can be found here.
So take a look at those articles and learn more about Chris Nolan. Nolan is most likely return for Batman 3 and we want to show our support for not only the Batman films, but also the great director that helms them. Take some time this weekend and head to the theater to see Inception. Critics are raving about it and it is already getting some Oscar buzz. It would be ironic if Nolan won an Oscar for this, since we all know he got screwed in 2009. Nick will be reviewing the film after the weekend. I am looking forward to it and I think you should too.
Posted by Dustin
Riddle me this, Riddle me that, Who will be the man, In the green hat?
With the anticipation of Inception's release growing, bat-fans will no doubt be looking forward to that film, but also starting to get excited about the gears beginning to move on Batman 3. Nolan of course keeps his cards very close to his chest but knowing his style of storytelling and his Batman Universe I will be very surprised if the Riddler isn’t featured in the concluding part of Nolan’s trilogy.
That being assumed, who can pull off Nolan’s Riddler? Bearing in mind this will be a Riddler incarnation that probably has never been seen in any adaptation of the prince of puzzles. I am expecting a very cerebral villain who can’t match Batman’s brute strength but can match his mind. Fans have considered a Zodiac-style mystery, or a consultant hired for the police department or even a Saw-style killer. I am expecting a strange individual who becomes obsessed with a mystery. Not a psychotic killer but a middle-aged, weird, man. A loner who seeks a mental challenge. I’m not expecting green tights and masks but a crinkled suit and glasses, simplistic like the Joker's make-up and dyed hair. Speaking of which, the next villains shoes are big ones to fill after Heath Ledger performance, meaning it’s going to take someone special to firstly be cast in the role and secondly surpass him.
So bearing that in mind, here are my outstanding candidates who I expect to be considered by Nolan or at least Warner Brothers along with their pros, cons and my opinion.
JOSEPH GORDON LEVITT – Probably the top of most people’s lists right now. Certainly a talented actor in films such as Brick and 500 Days Of Summer, but he comes across as generally quite young which may play against him for this role. Plus he’s not quite a superstar with a fair proportion of regular movie-goers not knowing him, however Inception may change all that. Personally I would prefer several others, but I feel Nolan is probably considering him.
ROBIN WILLIAMS – A big name in the world of film, who has proved his acting credentials in a variety of forms with the dramatic Good Morning Vietnam as well as more recent films such as Nolan’s creepy Insomnia. He’s recognized all around the world and can bring energy or menace depending on this new Riddler, so can certainly provide the talent since he has been closely linked to Batman roles in the past but will Warner Brothers be thinking he’s a bit past it now. Not an actor that I would pick.
MICHAEL EMERSON – One of the great characters from the TV show LOST, which has helped him raise his profile internationally. Another actor who’s great at the creepy persona's but he is a talented actor in his own right. I think he’d be an excellent choice for the Riddler that I am picturing but am worried his movie credentials aren’t great enough for him to be considered by Warner Bros, plus he has no connection with Nolan either that I’m aware of. Would take a lot for him to get the role.
DAVID TENNANT – He can definitely play the manic Riddler as seen in Harry Potter and The Goblet Of Fire and as the Doctor in Doctor Who, but he can also stay calm and emotional as seen in Hamlet and Doctor Who (again). Menacing villain though? I’m unsure. I think he’s a class actor but doesn’t have much appeal in the USA which can mean everything with these jobs, but he does have a cult following and a Shakespeare pedigree. Would definitely be an outsider for the role and I’m a little unsure he’d fit. But he seems to have a lot of fan power behind him in the UK. Probably not in WB or Nolan’s mind.
GUY PEARCE – Nolan has a tendency to work with familiar actors and Guy Pearce starred in one of Nolan’s most memorable films, Memento. Pearce could step into the role as an accomplished actor, but for me is not quite what I’d be looking for and I don’t think he could match Heath’s Joker. I think Nolan will also be looking elsewhere.
JOHNNY DEPP – He is one of the biggest movie stars on the planet who has a reputation for playing kooky characters such as Jack Sparrow. He could be a great fit for the Riddler, coming across as strange and mysterious and I feel could be a good match. However he is a little bit glamorous for the role so would have to, like Ledger, come across as a little grotesque rather than a pretty boy. Something I feel he wouldn’t be worried to do for the role. This is a guy Warner Brothers would love, might be left up to whether Nolan would like to work with him.
MICHAEL C HALL – This actor from TV’s Dexter, would be perfect for the menacing and quiet Riddler. Setting out dastardly plans in the same vein as Saw would fit him, he is a frightening character on his show and I could imagine him as that type of Riddler, but it would be a very dark character coming from him. Could entice Nolan but may worry Warner Brothers for his lack of starring roles in movies.
PAUL BETTANY – He was apparently a contender for the Joker in the previous film and looks the part for the Riddler. Plus he has been a villain in the past with the film Firewall, but would be a long shot for me and not one I see Nolan interested in.
SAM ROCKWELL – A fantastic actor in films such as Moon and The Green Mile plus villain-wise in Iron Man 2 he proved he can have a bit of fun with a villain too. With a great script Rockwell could be a wonderful Riddler and one I would pick.
BILL NIGHY – This is more hopeful thinking than sense, but Nighy is a fantastic actor who can perform admirably in any role he is given and is usually the best thing in any film he’s in. His Riddler would be very different to any of the others imagined but could be terrific. Almost definitely won’t happen but would love it.
So all in all, we will never know what is going on in Nolan’s head but these candidates should all make interesting foes for the dark knight to face in the next movie. If it was up to me I’d pick Michael Emerson, who do I think will be the Riddler in 2012? Johnny Depp. Whoever it is I still trust Nolan to provide a fantastic interpretation of one of my favorite characters.
Posted by Nick
The State of Comic Book Films
“I am Iron Man. Think you are the only superhero in the world? Mr. Stark, you’ve become part of a bigger universe, but you just don’t know it yet,” Nick Fury, director of SHIELD. “I’m here to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative.”
Those words, spoken by Samuel L. Jackson at the end of 2008’s Iron Man are words that may have shaken up the way comic book movies are made. On its own Iron Man was a great comic book superhero-based film. It had just about everything you could have asked for in a thrilling, smart, and at times comedic popcorn entertainment action flick. But, those words were the lynch-pin of what Marvel Studio hoped would be the next evolution of comic book movie storytelling. Essentially taking the idea of a fully fledged “universe” and transform that into film.
For years of course comic book character films have been presented as if the characters spotlighted were the only heroes in their world. Oh sure Metropolis got named dropped in Batman Forever, and there is the “This is why Superman works ALONE” quip in Batman & Robin, but in every movie, and even live action television, for the most part (after the series ended, the Incredible Hulk TV show came back in TV movie form a couple of times featuring both Thor and Daredevil, and Smallville has the Green Arrow as a cast member, as well as appearances by other non-Superman supporting characters), done featuring a comic book character whom is part of a bigger comic book universe, it is apparent that for that movie or TV program they are the ONLY super hero on the scene.
Marvel Studios was set to change all of that, and it started in that summer of 2008. Shortly after it appeared Iron Man was a big hit, its sequels were green-lit and pre-production was full steam ahead for other projects that would all go into what will be the first Avengers movie in 2012. The plans were further cemented in that summer’s Incredible Hulk, which included a cameo by Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark telling General Ross that he and a “team” that was being formed could help with the Hulk problem. And now Iron Man 2 has given the Mighty Marvel Movie Society even more steam by being a blockbusting success, and setting the stage for next summer’s Thor film. Oh, and next summer Captain America is set to shake off the aftertaste of the 1990 flop as well.
With Ant-Man, another Iron Man film and The Avengers coming down the pipeline as well, it seems things are running smoothly in terms of Marvel Studios creating a “Movie Universe.” Even with its biggest heavyweights; Spider-Man, the X-Men and Fantastic Four, as well as Daredevil still tied up with other studios as Disney seems content with honoring pre-existing deals.
And DC? Well, there is the follow up to The Dark Knight slated for 2012. As well as the next Superman project which is being “Godfathered” by Batman Begins and The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan. Oh, and Green Lantern is coming out next year.
While one can expect the third, and Nolan’s final, Batman flick to be a success, maybe not as wild as The Dark Knight as one could chalk a good percentage of its popularity to the “morbid curiosity” surrounding Heath Ledger’s passing, the fact that it will be the final Nolan directed film in the series should trouble a DC movie fan. Where will the Bat-Franchise go from here? Logic would dictate that the next director could pick up where Nolan leaves off, but hey this is Hollywood, and there is enough of a chance of Warner Brothers rebooting the whole darn thing as there are as them letting the next guy continue what Nolan started.
But where does this leave the various projects that have been speculated, and in some cases even gone through the pre-production stage, only to be shut down like the JLA movie? Good question. The hope is that the Green Lantern film becomes as wild of a success as the first Iron Man was. The proof will be in the pudding of course, but at the same time it was clear that Marvel had all its ducks in a row when Iron Man came out. Right now DC/WB is looking at a Batman movie universe where Batman is the only known costumed hero, and Nolan has gone on record as saying he’d like the Superman movie universe to be the same. Okay, so how are you going to rectify that with a possible JLA film? Oh sure movie audiences aren’t that stupid to realize the Batman in a JLA film isn’t the same as Christian Bale’s Batman, or even Adam West’s, Michael Keaton’s, Val Kilmer’s, George Clooney, or heck even Kevin Conroy’s and Diedrich Bader’s. But the fact is, it’s hard to sell two different continuities going on at the same time. Heck, it’s hard even for DC to sell multiple continuities in comic books! Say what you will about Batman Confidential and Superman/Batman, they probably aren’t selling nearly as much as the other Bat-Titles because they are OOC books while all the others are.
Well, that is the current state of affairs with comic book movies. While the next Batman film should bring in the dough that will make Warner very, very happy, and despite the critical responses to Superman Returns one can still say Superman is still a very profitable on-screen franchise, it does seem that DC is still light years behind Marvel in terms of innovation in crafting big screen storytelling. In some cases it might be fine, as DC still holds arguably the two most popular super heroes of all-time in its arsenal, but if Marvel is able to completely pull of what it hopes to with the Marvel Movie Universe, DC will have to change its game plan in terms of how their properties are treated by Hollywood.
Posted by SteveJRogers
This was posted up over at MTV's Splash Page. It isn't anything newsworthy, but it does fall into the category of MTV harassing actors about Batman whenever they can.
Posted by Dustin
MTV had the chance to talk with Matt Damon about his role in the upcoming Clint Eastwood film, Invictus. During the interview Damon confirmed that he was up for the role of Two-Face in The Dark Knight.
Posted by Dustin
One of the things that I have been wanting to do for quite some time here on the site is this. Lots of fans have a collection of things related to Batman. Whether it be action figures, comics, or cereal boxes, we all have something. DarthFlintstone was the perfect person to kick this idea off since he posted pics on the forums for all to see. So we start this new segment off spotlighting DarthFlintstone’s collection.
If you would like to have your collection spotlighted, email your pics and a little history of your collection to content@thebatmanuniverse.net
Posted by Dustin