Batman Begins vs The Dark Knight

I can't tell you how many times have I heard someone say that "The Dark Knight is the best film I've ever seen".  Not only do I have to disagree with that statement, but I won't even say that The Dark Knight is the greatest Batman film.  However, before I jump down their throats I really try to analyze that statement.  There are three parts to it.  First, there is the title.  Second, there is the idea of it being the best film.  Third, there is the most crucial part of the statement in which most people don't realize that there opinion is based very limited experience.  While anyone could lie to make their statements sound much more intelligent let's be honest.  Most people have not seen most of the Batman films.  There was Batman: The Movie (1966), starring Adam West, which was an adaptation of the 60s TV show.  The two films in which Micheal Keaton played Batman, Batman & Batman Returns.  Lastly there was Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.  On a side not there were also many animated films, some of which were actually released in theaters (Batman: Mask of Phantasm).  Sadly I haven't even touched upon the massive amount of comic book films that you are ruling out by claiming The Dark Knight is the best.  However, I can only ask for so much when it comes to judging a film.

Alright, so you are back.  You stopped reading and watched all 7 other Batman films and now you are ready to make a fair assessment.  Okay, that is a completely ridiculous request.  At least tell me you've seen them all in the past 5 years...the past ten...ever?

How about we just look at the two Christopher Nolan films?  Would that be more reasonable?  I just got done watching both Batman Begins followed by The Dark Knight.  I literally finished watching and began to write this post.  I have to tell you...out of the two films, it is obvious to me which is the better film.

I have to admit when I first went into the reboot, I was very skeptical.  Prior to viewing Batman Begins, the only batman films I truly enjoyed were the ones in which Micheal Keaton played Bruce Wayne/Batman.  His humor, his egoism, and his level of casual bad ass in the two films is unparalleled.  However, my skepticism at Christian Bale's ability to take on the family name of Wayne was completely wasted.  I actually didn't enjoy the film until the second or third time I watched it because I had just went into it with a negative attitude.  The casting of the film was great, the plot was enticing and the sets/filming locations were simply beautiful.  Chicago and London were terrific choices for the Gotham City Nolan tried to portray.  However it was the filming in Iceland, that were supposed to be what I assume China, which were my favorite scenes in the film.  An ensemble supporting cast of Micheal Caine, Katie Holmes, and Morgon Freeman support the story and plot in ways that no other actors can.  Who wouldn't want a butler like Alfred, and a 'love of your life' like Rachel?  Not to mention an ally like Lucius.  We feel sympathetic to Bruce after seeing his childhood experience.  His back story has always been there in the comics, but seeing it in film really makes us know a billionaire can have a difficult life as well.  All that is great and it's what helps to move the film forward to it's climactic ending of Batman saving his beloved city of Gotham.


At the end of Batman Begins, there is a scene where Jim Gordon (portrayed by Gary Oldman) sets up the skylight with the Batman symbol and tells him about The Joker.  I can't imagine a member of the audience not excited to see the next film after that scene.  So we are forced to wait three long years to see the dark knight in The Dark Knight.  I watched the trailer for the film probably 100 times (sadly that is a spot on estimate).  I got the the theater on opening night and I was more excited than anyone in the theater, I guarantee it.  Unfortunately I ended up having to leave that showing, but I made it the next day.  Everyone that had seen the movie the night before was raving about the film.  Aaron Eckhart, Heath Ledger, and Maggie Gyllenhaal had apparently stolen the show.  Well that was no big surprise to me.  I had seen Batman Returns and the same thing had happened to Batman in that film.  The spotlight had gone to Danny DeVito/Michelle Pfeiffer, and rightfully so.  They were amazing in the film, and along with Christopher Walken...they really made that film spectacular.  It is my favorite film of the original film series for this reason.  However, just because it is my favorite...does it make it better than the original Batman.  The solid answer there is a resounding "No".  The same goes for The Dark Knight.  Most people just love the film because of Ledger's performance.  I truly believe his performance was amazing as well.  Aaron Eckhart as Two-Face was also just icing on the cake.

I may not be completely happy with the lack of amount of time I spent speaking about Nolan's films, so let me just say these last few things.  Batman Begins has, better villains, a better story and for that matter, a more believable story.  The Dark Knight has better special effects and more time dedicated to villains as well as supporting characters.  Both truly terrific films, but honestly Liam Neeson (Ra's al Ghul) and Cillian Murphy (The Scarecrow) as the villains in the first film were better than the villains in the sequel.  Why?  Better actors, better fight scenes and completely unexpected villains for the first film of the reboot series.  We have all seen The Joker so many times before...well the people who have seen all the batman films at least.


So as another post comes to a close I have to say two last things.
1) Never...ever...say anything about Ledger's 'Academy Award winning' performance until you have seen the original Batman.  I have two words for you... Jack...Nicholson.

2) Thank you to a certain somone who gave me the idea to write this, although they may not even realize they did.