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Show * .—— T™ SUMMER UTAH CHRONICLE ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Wednesday, J u n e 15, 2005 The dark night cometh 'Batman Begins' better than it ends in Nolan's new film . "Batman Begins" Warner Bros. Pictures Directed by Christopher Nolan ' Written by David Goyer and Christopher Nolan Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Katie Holmes and-Gary Oldman Rated PG-13/134 minutes -Opens June 15, 2005 ' three out offour stars ', Ben Zalkind <• ^ - Chronicle Asst. A&E Editor • Fortunately for "Batman Begins" director Christopher Nolan ("Memento," "Insomnia"), audiences assfess franchise films using paradoxical criteria. Regardless of blandness, if one such movie outshines its brethren, it is lauded as a tour-de-force. Even a mediocre addition remains somewhat impervious to conventional scrutiny. • Think of this phenomenon as the "Star Wars" Effect—despite atrocious acting and incompetent screenwritiiig, "Revenge of the Sith" garnered enormous, arguably undeserved, accjaim. Why? Well, compared with its two prequels, number three might as vyell call itself "Casablanca." • This same effect applies to "Batman Begins," which on its own1 merit flickers like a bulb with a wire short, but provides the Batman movie legacy Iwith a much-needed panacea. , Nolan's film dangles mere millimeter-from the Batarang precedent set by; Tim Burton's seminal "Batman," offering a more human Dark Knight tnarl audiences have ever known and a' grittier, more compelling Gotham than anyone has seen before. 'Within its nebulous Chicago-inspired substructure teeming with depravity and desperation beneath layers of denial and modern-noir architecture, Gotham itself becomes a syinbo] for the film as a whole. It's a hying, breathing, vacillating dichotomy- between the forces of good and evil on a mythological scale. Much lilte1 Batman himself, and the franchise at large, Gotham is a city perpetually on the brink of self-destruction, though never beyond the hope of salvation. -Gotham is no longer simply a able by minute 44. This wouldn't be so disappointing had Goyer not whet audiences' appetites with "Begins"' soul-plumbing first 30 minutes. On a positive note, Goyer's script calls for a flawed Dark Knight, one that castigates guests at dinner parties and makes dangerous errors in his quest to obliterate Gotham's crime. Though incongruous with the emblematic Batman persona. Bale's raw Batman bleeds, respires and stews in fury. He's tormented and fallible—the type of imperfect character to which audiences can more intimately relate. Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon (here a sergeant and a lieutenant, but in later films the police commissioner) stands out among the supporting cast. A good cop swimming among bad cop sharks, Gordon luminesces as an almost beatific presence. Oldman's Gordon, mustachioed and looking jaded, actually evolves throughout "Batman Begins'," shedding his initial taciturnity and emerging as a capable leader. Nolan insists on maintaining a high level of grittiness in his film, which makes for killer pyrotechnics, but pretty much destroys the handto-hand combat scenes. Frenetic and close-quartered, the brawls look "So, you're sure this giant searchlight is really necessary? I mean, I could always call you on your bat-cell when I need you." more realistic than most, but this is Bruce Wayne and a sagely Lt. Gordon talk shop In "Batman Begins." not necessarily a good thing. Who is comic book metropolis, but rather a to seek training with his enigmatic obtains from engineer Lucius Fox hitting whom becomes a recurring larger, more allegorical human envi- boss in his perilous mountaintop (Morgan Freeman) his Batsuit and question, and instead of looking prironment—the city offers viewers an dojo, the headquarters for the clan- Batmobile, a craggy prototype tank mal and hardcore, the choreography just looks shoddy. undeniably attractive structure for destine League of Shadows. Wayne nicknamed The Tumbler. the film, and its essential opacity al- makes the trek to the mountain lair, Perhaps the letdown some fans Meanwhile, Dawes cannot suclows for a deeper reading in terms of where Ducard mentors him—in oth- cessfully incarcerate Gotham's crim- will experience with "Batman Bemetaphor. While its execution (and er words, kicks Wayne's ass until his inals. The city's judges, seemingly gins'" boils down to a quagmire of possibly intention) in terms of deep- brooding rage mutates into perfect entranced by criminal psychiatrist expectations: We expect a "Memener meaning is arguable, Gotham's physical and mental discipline. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy), in- to"-quality story from Nolan, and buildings and alleys might be the As thanks for this service, Wayne variably deem them insane and ship when he delivers a visually satisfyonly place aficionados find rapture— refuses to join Ra's al-Ghul's fascist them off to his Arkham Asylum for ing, appropriately mythic, but ultiand maybe the Bat's new hope. mately insubstantial, popcorn flick, global task force, burns down its further analysis. headquarters and flees to Gotham. "Begins" tackles Bruce Wayne's Dawes asks questions, Crane (also we feel like the wind's been let out lesser-known callow years. HavAfter a seven-year hiatus, he re- known as phobia-manipulating su- of our sails. ing witnessed his parents' mur- unites with his butler, Alfred (played pervillain The Scarecrow) tries to off It's not a bad film, but it's by no ders years earlier, a seething Bruce impeccably by Michael Caine), and her, and Batman becomes entangled means perfect either. Those purWayne (played by Christian Bale) an old friend/perpetual liability, Ra- with the first of his foes. ists still looking for the quintessenabandons college to inhabit myriad chel Dawes (Katie Holmes), Gotham In pursuing The Scarecrow and tial, nearly flawless incarnation of global slums. In so doing, he hopes City's district attorney. Seeing his tracing his connections, Batman dis- the Caped Crusader (and who don't to discern the criminal mind by, uh, city in shambles, Wayne resolves to covers that Crane is merely a pawn read comics) still need look no furbecoming a thug himself. ameliorate Gotham's rampant cor- in a vast apocalyptic effort led by... ther than the streamlined, art-deco Gotham and beautiful anachronism In an Asian prison, he meets ruption by converting his deepest Actually, that's enough. Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), the phobia into vengeance incarnate. Though initially character-driven, of "Batman the Animated Series," infamous Ra's al-Ghul's (played by As default owner of Wayne Enter- Goyer's screenplay rapidly dete- whose first three seasons are already Ken Watanabe) fu-Manchu-sport- prises—which seems to have a hand riorates into standard good vs. bad on DVD. ing messenger. He persuades Wayne in every enterprise imaginable—he blockbuster fare—wholly predictbzalkind@chronicle.utah.edu It's best to avoid Q The Fletch Fetch Coldplay pulls the rip-chord '90210' in 84112 Dear Danni, I know, I know— I just moved for a minute there into a new apartyou were thinking ment complex, and that the love of it's already such your life might lita chill place—my erally be the boy neighbors are nice next door. But, I and outgoing and promise you: he offer all the time to is envisioning the help me out with same disastrous Danni Nutter anything. One guy ending as well. is so hot and flirts Chronicle Advice Columnist He isn't signing with me all the time. I know he up for an ankle bracelet—he's doesn't have a girlfriend, but I'm undoubtedly smarter than that. not sure if it would be coot to try He knows that whether the pro,to ask him out—I mean, he lives spective relationship works out just a few doors down. Is that or doesn't, there is no escaping too close? He's going to see right the simple fact that you curthrough me! I know guys always rently share the same mail slot, want space, so should I just try to same parking garage, same living be his friend, or should I go for it? spacc.you get the picture. And whatever happened to .".Dear "Melrose Place," mystery? Aren't we as women I'm going to pass down a bit of always complaining about how crude advice my dad gave to me we want a man to unexpectedly a while ago: "Don't s*** where sweep us off our feet, yadda yadyou eat." da, yadda? Bet that leaves little -. 'This is to say, there are rea- to the imagination when you end sons behind the boundaries that up watching his spin cycle in the exist in the dating world—they laundry room, sharing detergent, are there to avoid unnecessary mixing your whites with his. It's not adorable. It's annoying. conflict. Developing a romance with Not to mention, have you conyour neighbor definitely falls sidered what would happen if he within those parameters. started seeing someone else? Or This is essentially the same if you do? Then the psychotic logic behind avoiding an intraof- behavior really gets interesting. fice dating relationship: Every- Watching—or, God forbid, hearone needs space and time away ing them—together would send from their significant other. you over the edge. If the walls Not just men. In fact, I would at your place are anything like put money down that were you mine, you can hear your neighto initiate a relationship, very bor brush his teeth while he's quickly you would find yourself reading the newspaper. Not sure as uncomfortable with the prox- how it would all go down if there imity issue as he would. were a sleepover involved. Think about it—this situation Seriously, do you really want would turn you into Glenn Close to sign yourself up for that drain.a matter of seconds. You see ma? his car in the driveway, but he There are plenty of men to go won't pick up your call. You can around. You don't have to resort hear music coming out of his to the guy living next to you for .windows, but you're not sure satisfaction. You just need to be if it's the chick next door. Next proactive. thing you know, you're staring You're obviously a little bit out your blinds with a pair of socially hesitant. It's convenient cryptic binoculars like some jad- and easy to make your social cired.version of Jimmy Stewart in cle out of the people you work "Rear Window." Fabulous. Don't with and live with, but you need forget to send me a wedding in- to recognize how that may pose vitation when it all shakes out. some problems for you in the future. Are you kidding? . < -This isn't going to work. advice@chronicle.utah.edu X&Yisa well-exectued parachute of musical progression Coldplay X&Y Capitol Records Four out of five stars •**• Progression in music is inevitable, but no band makes it look as gorgeous as Coldplay. From the intergalactic electro-intro of "Square One" to the dancey drum loops of "White Shadows," it's clear that the band's newest effort, X&Y, introduces listeners to a new Coldplay—a Coldplay with its sights set on the stars. Where the band's past efforts practically built themselves upon Chris Martin's heart-string tugging piano-poetry, X&Y sees his traditional tones folding to delayed-organs and spaced-out syntheses. "Fix You" embodies the power of these sonic steps as cathedral-cla- viers collide with Martin's bleeding heart over an almost Parachutes-esque acoustic backdrop before careening into a full-on intergalactic rock-out. The beauty of X&Y's progression is in Coldplay's ability to leap forward without forgetting where they came from—a virtue that many-a-Brit-rocker dashed in the wake of Radiohead's revolutionary success. Sadly, for most, this left only a trail of dead Kid A impersonators, but Coldplay shines in its ability to steer clear of the karma police. Tremors of Rush of Blood's stadiumshaking grandeur can be felt in the Martin vs. piano swells of "Speed of Sound," before it launches into ambient refrains of truly epic proportions. ; Parachutes' emotional frailty infects more than the aforementioned "Fix You," as "A Message" gets swept away in a flash of acoustic-strums and beautifully simple hooks. Essentially, Coldplay may have envisioned romancing stadiums with its newfound, interstellar majesty, but it's clear that X&Y will be stealing the hearts of entire stratospheres. Dan Fletcher The league of extraordinary Calendars June 15 Wednesday they get hurt easily—like a professional baseball player. That Luciano really did a number on us, what with taking over our band and all, and we guess we've never really gotten over the trauma. Maybe we love Luciano, who knows? All we will say is that Calendar wakes up in the middle of the night, screaming, "Luciano, we're nothing without you! Calendar needs you like Lindsey Lohan needs a meal!" Oh Luciano, it's true: Calendar is lost by ourselves-we're noth- It's a fact known only by Calendar's most devout and operatic of followers: Before we got this sweet gig here at the newspaper, we were once an internationally renowned classical vocalist. Pavarati, Placido Domingo, The Fat Lady-they were all pebbles in the shadow of Calendar's immeasurable aural prowess. ing without you! Me Without You plays In fact, it was Calendar that started the group that tonight at Kllby Court (741 S. 3 3 0 later became known as The Three Tenors-back West) at 7 p.m., for $ 8 . when we created the band, we were called Calendar and the Guidos, and we rocked. But then that If only Calendar could truly determine the root power-hungry Luciano staged a coup, and since we of our paralyzing self-doubt. We mean, it's knew that we were all the talent in the group, we not like we haven't tried: We went on all the didn't try to fight it-we walked out and left them talk shows, but it was no help-Oprah tried to as the world's lamest trio in our wake. eat our souls, Dr. Phil tried to condescend to us (until we told him he wasn't a real doctor and nobody liked him, at which point he ran Well, turns out the carnivorous goats we sent to offstage crying) and Ricky Lake tried to sell our eat Luciano last year (we were drunk, there was this guy at the party who sold carnivorous goats, wristwatch forcrack...she's hard-up, you know. Anyway, we're down to our last options these and it seemed like a good idea at the time... days-we've hired a "Psychic Detective" give us a break) didn't accomplish their goal. tonight on NBC at 7 p.m. to help us, Calendar guesses we'll just have to head over to Suede (1612 Ute Blvd.) at 8:30 p.m. but if he can't, we're afraid we may be doomed to a fate worse than death. for $17 to finish Luciano ourselves. Our carnivorous goats may have failed us, but our poisonous parakeets are guaranteed! Sigh...OK, so Calendar has a confession to make: We're not the self-assured events listing we make ourselves out to be. We have feelings, and June 16 Thursday What exactly is this supposed fate worse than death? There are several, actually: Licking envelopes until your tongue is lacerated like that dude in "Hellraiser," being forced to actually watch the film "Hellraiser," being forced to watch "Hellraiser" while licking envelopes...you get the point. Even worse, however, might be going to The Velvet Room tonight ( 2 0 0 S. 155 West) at 7:30 p.m. to endure a reading of the Meat Beat Manifesto for $12. The Heat Beat Manifesto, eh? Hey guys, you do realize your band name is a walking masturbation joke waiting to happen, right? You do? You still think it's cool? Urn, alright... Don't worry, Calendar won't judge youwe're a more tolerant Calendar than that. Plus, we love walking masturbation jokesour ex-girlfriend is one. However, you ought to be advised not everyone in this cruel, cruel world is so forgiving. There is a good chance that, based only on how weak-ass your band name is, you may not make " T h e Cut/' tonight on CBS at 7 p.m., and you know what that means, right? It means you won't be among the 15 remaining contestants fighting to pimp-out a Lincoln Navigator for hip-hip artist Fabolous. Wait, for real? The show is about a bunch of dudes trying to impress a pseudo-celeb by degrading themselves to the level of submissive grease-bitch? Wow, and we thought Ricky Lake was desperate... |