Need Your Pre-Dark Knight Fix? Got Deep Pockets?
July 10th 2008 10:49
It’s always a good idea for a movie-goer to get the original movie sharp in mind before going to see a sequel. Confusing references can ruin the experience. Studios re-releasing the first movie immediately prior to the premier of the sequel isn’t a new practice, but Blu-Ray can allow it to be reinvented, and that’s just what Warner Bros. is attempting with the Batman Begins Limited Edition Blu-Ray Gift Set.
The film speaks for itself of course, a dark retelling (or some might say first telling) of the origins of Batman. A fan of the film no doubt would be interested in seeing it on Blu-Ray, and any self respecting consumer wants to get the most out of their coin, especially when the inflating prices of everyday essential needs force us to think again before spending our money on superfluous entertainment. So, does this set deliver or make you wish you’d taken the receipt out of your pocket before washing your jeans?
The set is full of extras, on the disc and in addition to it. It definitely attempts to integrate with the forthcoming Dark Knight, including a mini-comic and a storyboard book depicting the first scene as well as the actual footage of the first six minutes, which are shot on an IMAX camera for the best quality high definition. The fact that the scene itself is on the disc makes the comic and booklet irrelevant. Perhaps if they would have included Frank Miller’s graphic novel on which parts of the film were loosely based, this concept would have worked better.
Another thing that would have been nice to include for the $33 price tag is the Batman: Gotham Knight disc, an animated feature which was released on the same day on Blu-Ray and weaves six animated shorts together to fill in a few of the gaps between the two films, as well as go a little more in-depth with the genesis of the Caped Crusader. There is a nice little fold out of DK promotional photos though. (Have I mentioned how hard it is to convey sarcasm in text?)
Once all the trash is pushed aside to actually get to the disc itself, the true gem of this set reveals itself. The first scene of the new film is a great addition to the disc, as it is the ultimate teaser to the film. Following with the theme of most other promotion for the movie, it really seems to push the late Heath Ledger’s Joker more so than Christian Bale as the Dark Knight himself. Although it’s almost appalling to think that the studio might be attempting to use the tragedy of the star’s death to generate more profit for the project, there’s no doubt it’s working and that the performance deserves to be pushed. Disappointingly, the scene doesn’t seem to be presented in 5.1, but it doesn’t take away from the goosebumps that rise when the Joker comes on screen to say "Whatever doesn’t kill you, only makes you stranger."
Batman Begins is in 5.1 TrueHD and full 1080p resolution, a great way to become immersed in the epic and pump up for the hopefully gratifying continuation. Gotham never looked so slick outside the theater, and the sounds of the streets make Christopher Nolan’s attempt at reality from a comic book all the more convincing.
Features on the disc are interesting, but most seemed to be ripped straight from the DVD, 480i and all. The only unique feature outside of the DK scene is what’s called the "In-Movie Experience" which works sort of like a commentary on steroids, giving you picture in picture insets of the different people involved with the film as they speak, which is great for those of us who are constantly annoyed by collaborative commentaries where there’s no indication who is speaking. The "Experience" also includes little making-of insets, such as the first battle between Bruce Wayne and Ducard at the monastery being synced with an inset showing how they filmed the scene. All of the bits are relevant to an event in the film and pause for long breaks allowing you to still enjoy the movie.
All in all, the set is entertaining but not worth $33, the only saving grace being that it does come with $7.50 in "movie cash" to see Dark Knight in participating theaters. (Emphasis on participating.) If it would include the animated feature and a Frank Miller novel, or even just one of the two, it would be a steal no doubt, but it seems even entertainment can’t give our pockets a break this time.
The set is full of extras, on the disc and in addition to it. It definitely attempts to integrate with the forthcoming Dark Knight, including a mini-comic and a storyboard book depicting the first scene as well as the actual footage of the first six minutes, which are shot on an IMAX camera for the best quality high definition. The fact that the scene itself is on the disc makes the comic and booklet irrelevant. Perhaps if they would have included Frank Miller’s graphic novel on which parts of the film were loosely based, this concept would have worked better.
Another thing that would have been nice to include for the $33 price tag is the Batman: Gotham Knight disc, an animated feature which was released on the same day on Blu-Ray and weaves six animated shorts together to fill in a few of the gaps between the two films, as well as go a little more in-depth with the genesis of the Caped Crusader. There is a nice little fold out of DK promotional photos though. (Have I mentioned how hard it is to convey sarcasm in text?)
Once all the trash is pushed aside to actually get to the disc itself, the true gem of this set reveals itself. The first scene of the new film is a great addition to the disc, as it is the ultimate teaser to the film. Following with the theme of most other promotion for the movie, it really seems to push the late Heath Ledger’s Joker more so than Christian Bale as the Dark Knight himself. Although it’s almost appalling to think that the studio might be attempting to use the tragedy of the star’s death to generate more profit for the project, there’s no doubt it’s working and that the performance deserves to be pushed. Disappointingly, the scene doesn’t seem to be presented in 5.1, but it doesn’t take away from the goosebumps that rise when the Joker comes on screen to say "Whatever doesn’t kill you, only makes you stranger."
Batman Begins is in 5.1 TrueHD and full 1080p resolution, a great way to become immersed in the epic and pump up for the hopefully gratifying continuation. Gotham never looked so slick outside the theater, and the sounds of the streets make Christopher Nolan’s attempt at reality from a comic book all the more convincing.
Features on the disc are interesting, but most seemed to be ripped straight from the DVD, 480i and all. The only unique feature outside of the DK scene is what’s called the "In-Movie Experience" which works sort of like a commentary on steroids, giving you picture in picture insets of the different people involved with the film as they speak, which is great for those of us who are constantly annoyed by collaborative commentaries where there’s no indication who is speaking. The "Experience" also includes little making-of insets, such as the first battle between Bruce Wayne and Ducard at the monastery being synced with an inset showing how they filmed the scene. All of the bits are relevant to an event in the film and pause for long breaks allowing you to still enjoy the movie.
All in all, the set is entertaining but not worth $33, the only saving grace being that it does come with $7.50 in "movie cash" to see Dark Knight in participating theaters. (Emphasis on participating.) If it would include the animated feature and a Frank Miller novel, or even just one of the two, it would be a steal no doubt, but it seems even entertainment can’t give our pockets a break this time.
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