Cinepals - BATMAN BEGINS Movie Reaction & Review! | Christopher Nolan | Christian Bale

Episode Date: February 25, 2025

Kristen begins her foray into Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy with the first installment, Batman Begins! After witnessing his parents' murder, Bruce Wayne trains in the art of fear and justice, returning to Gotham as Batman to battle crime and a looming conspiracy. Batman Begins was directed by Christopher Nolan (Inception, The Dark Knight, Interstellar). The main cast includes Christian Bale (American Psycho, The Prestige, Ford v Ferrari) as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Caine (The Cider House Rules, The Dark Knight, The Italian Job) as Alfred Pennyworth, Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List, Taken, The Grey) as Ra’s al Ghul, Katie Holmes (Dawson’s Creek, Pieces of April, Thank You for Smoking) as Rachel Dawes, Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Fifth Element) as Jim Gordon, Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders, 28 Days Later) as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow, Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton, The Full Monty, Rush Hour) as Carmine Falcone, and Morgan Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption, Se7en, Million Dollar Baby) as Lucius Fox. Join us on YouTube at https://www.YouTube.com/@Cinepals for the cutdown reaction or becoming a Patron at www.cinejump.com and get access to the uncut reaction for this movie as well as many other movies and shows! SOCIAL MEDIA ~KRISTEN STEPHENSONPINO~ Instagram: @Kris10Kesp ~ACHARA KIRK~ Instagram: @AcharaKirk ~CINEPALS~ YouTube: @CinePals Insta: https://instagram.com/TheCinePals Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheCinePals

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It's unpredictable. It's raw. It's real. Get Beautiful Anonymous wherever you listen to podcasts. Sinha. Pals, I'm Batman. What's up, everyone? Welcome back.

It's Achara Kirk, joined by Kristen Steffinson Pino. It's a good day to have a good day. It is indeedy. We are about to get started with Christopher Nolan's Dark Night trilogy. So full disclosure. I've seen this. I'm just here for the ride. Moral support.

Moral support. So Kristen has a friend. Because it's a lot more fun that way. It is a lot more fun. So with all of that being said, let's jump into it. Here we go. I never said thank you. And you'll never have to.

I am so much to say. Batman, let's go. Okay, sorry, I'm so excited. I'm glad you are. Okay, so the ones we started off with, amazing. Love them to death. Okay, but they're also very.

very more on the comical side of things and they're hilarious but they're like a little more lighthearted. They're very campy. Yes. Fun. This one comes in really dark, serious cool, badass mean to the bone to the point where like if I started

off with this one, remember, I don't know if you remember with the others, I was like I mean, I don't know, I don't get the whole Batman like I want to be Batman. You know, because I'm so into the villains. This one, I want to be Batman. Batman is so damn cool.

His outfits cool, his get-ups cool, his get-up's cool, his vibes cool. He is so cool. The way he interacts with his people, how he's bringing, like, just brain after brain on his team. I'm like, I want to be Batman so badly that I'm like, yo, this guy's hot. Yep. Which, you know what? I'm going to move that to the bottom of the list because he's absolutely brilliant, right? Everyone's brilliant around him.

all like it's like it's just a collaboration of cleverness and it's so like I want to say yummy but I don't want to say yummy because I feel like that's what is it's so deliciously like this is the best thing I've ever had in my life you know like you're like that says amazing and I feel like I'm like Andrew right now I'm pulling an Andrew like BFF like I'm pulling an Andrew like I'm pulling an Andrew like I feel I think this is the first time I think like when Andrew speaks to me about certain things that I'm going through

or seeing through like whether it be Marvel or Batman or Batman or whatever and sometimes you know he gets so excited and like yeah I'm loving it like Andrew BFF yo bro I get it

like that's what he does to me he's like he'll be like this you don't get it I'm like okay and now I'm like Achara! Peruvov! Yeah. Like, it's so

enjoyably cool. Mm-hmm. But I do wish, because it's so cool, I want to see the action shots and the fights because the fights are so cool. And, like, it's funny

because I remember the first time I ever heard Jabby talk about, you know, pulling out or whatever. I never really fully understood it because normally in those scenes and those moments, So I was like, oh, I didn't have a problem with it. Yeah. And then now, and it's funny because the more I'm falling in love with action films,

and I'm seeing these cool action shots. And I'm also learning, especially through Daredevil, and you see all his wide shots and stuff. They're cool. Yeah, because you can see everything that's happening. And I think I'm learning how to appreciate those action shots and the movements and the technique and what goes into it, because now I'm like, I'm actually like thrown in to this, right?

Even with some of the other films that I've been watching. And so now when I watch this, I'm like, what are you doing? This is too good to be that close. What are you doing? Pull it out. Pull it out. Let me see those high kicks. Let me see that punch and the jab.

Yeah. I mean, I think looking at the way Christopher Nolan directed this and the way he likes to direct a lot of his films, I think he does enjoy, like, a tight shot and he definitely used that to great effect in the movie when he was like doing close-ups on different characters faces because like he cast the movie so well everyone is a phenomenal actor and so when you go in that close especially like for instance you go in that close on killion murphy's face when he's like being menacing yes it doesn't break from him he doesn't blink it's terrifying or like i love the shot in the beginning when uh

Bruce Wayne is sitting in the courtroom and he's listening to the guy talk and the verdict and everything and it's just his face and you can read just like the storm of emotions that's just battling inside his body as he's just like God I hate this guy I want to take him out like why is he being freed all of that no words necessary just close on his face and you see it all and like that's really great but when you apply that same thing to a fight scene plus adding the shaky cam it's frustrating because I can tell that they're doing really really cool movement and choreography and everything and you can barely see it which is a little bit frustrating and it's like their face expressions are so good though and I think maybe

maybe that's what you know like you were saying like when you all these characters the cast is phenomenal you can't you can't top this cast Hi, I'm Chris Getherd, and I'm very excited to tell you about Beautiful Anonymous, a podcast where I talk to random people on the phone. I tweet out a phone number, thousands of people try to call, you talk to one of them, they stay anonymous, I can't hang up, that's all the rules. I never know what's going to happen. We get serious ones. I've talked with meth dealers on their way to prison. I've talked to people who survive mass shootings, crazy funny ones.

I talk to a guy with a goose laugh, somebody who dresses up as a pirate on the weekends. I never know what's going to happen. It's a great show. Subscribe today, Beautiful Anonymous. And when you do go and yes, they're so good, you're like, like, it's almost like addicting you want to do it, but you're also like, breathe, pull it out, pull it out, we want to see everything.

And maybe that also kind of goes into play because they're like, how do I not capture your face because you all are so talentedly, fantastic in your craft that maybe the, but also even like, okay, when they were telling the story of Bruce, we know the story now. of him losing his parents and stuff like that. None of the stories I've seen have made me, like, tear up or want to cry or feel, like, choked up. This one did, and the most amazing part is it was in such a short period of time, and yet I felt everything.

And it said so, like, so much and spoke volumes. Yeah, I mean, I think that it was amazing. The way that they did that was just so. good because you you feel it like you know exactly what what the setup is like for for me watching it again the moment the dad brought out the pearl necklace I was like oh shit here we go here we go and I did I felt that too and then it's like oh man I know what's coming and you know what's coming but it's just like because of the I think it was the focus right at the beginning of really letting us spend time with Bruce in his childhood and showing us the impact that his father

had and the love that they shared and the love that he had for his family that when he loses them in that way and then you you get to see him in the room and it's it's Gordon who's there with him as a child and is like trying to comfort this child but how do you he just watched his parents get murdered in front of him and like the child they pick him. picked as well for Bruce was fantastic because he has that like that vulnerability and and you're just like oh man I I want to protect him and I thought framing it in that way and then showing us this other side like I love the whole story with Raz al-Gul or Ray Shal-Gul your knowledge may vary as to the pronunciation of his name but that that whole story of like how he trains and you know

learns these skills and finds a sense of purpose and then to have that like framed against like he's just an angry grieving child really who hasn't really grown up grown up he's not developed past the stage

he's still holding on to all of that rage and that sadness and everything and it's like oh okay that makes sense to you know have him turn into this character you know I love that the villain is the one

who trained him and opened his eyes to become more. I think that that's pretty deep, gnarly. And he chose to go the opposite direction of that. Because I think with his father,

he did have a strong sense of not just self-respect, but dignity. Right. And grew, really truly grew up knowing right from wrong and what it is to be a good human and an individual in general. It's interesting because as I was watching this one

and I was thinking of all the other DC's DC films I've been introduced to as of late. I'm comparing it to Marvel. Okay? Of course. The comparison is always going to be there. Because I mean how many times, I mean, I've had people always talk about Marvel, DC,

Marvel. And I'm like, I don't know, like where you are. yeah is it that big of a deal you know like I don't know and now it's kind of interesting to have my own perspective my own thoughts on it and they're so different night and day night and day to the point where I'm like if I have to choose one even starting right now and I haven't and I've only watched like a handful yeah right and I've seen so many Marvel you would think that I'd be biased toward Marvel, right? I could not tell you, honestly,

even just from what I've seen, I'm like, oh, what do I like more? It's different, like you say. Yeah. Different. And it's like, and I only keep, and I only bring that up because this is something that, you know, I always got confused too.

I didn't understand Marvel. I didn't understand DC. I didn't under, I was like, isn't it all the same? Right. That's what I always thought in my mind. but also even growing up with my sisters talking about I'm like

I always thought all of it was the same thing right and then when they would say Marvel DC I was like what's that and then they would say certain things I'm like isn't that the same thing

like I mean how many times have I said oh is that like is that Batman is that whatever is that superwoman or Wonder Woman or whatever and you're like no Kristen I'm like it's the same thing right no no no no and so it's kind of amusing for myself.

No, no, maybe for you guys, too, to see how much I've grown. Yeah, no. I'm starting to, like, things are, like, clicking. Yeah. It's almost like I'm learning a new language going, oh,

oh, I'm understanding. Yeah. And I mean, a lot of the characters, you know, keep coming back. So as you watch, as you watch more of, like, the various different Batman movies and stuff, like, you'll recognize the villains and their calling cards like you recognize Joker right away

and and all of that good stuff and it's like yeah every every single director is their own storyteller and they they tell it in a different way but I do think Christopher Nolan did something really special here because like if you just compare it to Batman 1989 that we watch together right I get the sense that when they did that yeah they were kind of like well you you'll know this character, right? We don't have to go so deep into the backstory. We do the iconic scene. Like that scene in the alleyway, that is like the iconic backstory scene.

You'll see it play out over and over so many times in different movies because that is his, that's the pivotal moment that's, you know, that changes everything for him. The pearls, everything. It's like those are all iconic moments, but they did it real fast in 1989. And I really appreciate, like you were saying, and it's like it's so emotional when you get, you like get invested in that, you know? I think when people do remakes of certain films and stuff, I actually really do appreciate the way they try to change up the storylines. They took the same story and made it fresh in their own way, but also added luxury to it. I almost felt like, wow, I was just blessed with a glorious new updated Batman.

And I didn't think I could receive something better than what I had already seen. Right. Because honestly, I really do love the other ones. I love them. I want more of them. Yeah. I don't know if there is more of those ones or if that's where it ends. But with this new one, I'm just like, I accept you.

I welcome you with open arms. I want more of you. support you because you are doing what I loved so much beyond justice. Yeah. And made it more. It's so, it's like so interesting with the characters as well. Like, and I really, I really love, uh, Rasal Ghoul in this because, you know, as we were watching it and, and, you know, you were talking about like, God, isn't it so weird?

Like he's, he's been trained by this guy. Yeah. And now he's like opposed. to him and I was thinking about it as we were watching and I'm like actually they both want similar things like yeah they both they both want justice and and you know they they want to eradicate the world of evil people in theory but they're going about it in very different ways and I think and and you were saying like oh man like the villain's so cool though and I think that's what makes it so interesting. It's like, it's when you can look at the villain or antagonist

in the piece of art that you're watching and be like, I understand where you're coming from, but also like, yeah, that's not right. Like, I'm opposed to that. You kind of took it in the wrong direction. I feel you, but chill. He gave me, okay, this is what I really loved about this villain, non-villain villain. You know, we're in the gray area. He reminded me of Dr. Strange. Okay. And so it kind of hurt a little bit. Well, definitely, like, when they showed, when he showed up, when Batman showed up at his, like, lair or whatever in the mountains, that definitely was giving me Dr. Strange vibes because it felt similar.

And so I think to see him, I was, I really wanted to be like this. Yeah. I really thought, like, oh, man, this is our backup, whatever. Dr. Strange in the house. It's funny how these characters are affecting me so much. As they should. It's not funny.

I'm just like, man. If something ever happens to Alfred, though, I'm going to cry. I will definitely cry my eyes out. I hope that that day never comes. But what do I know? Marvel's wiping out my entire family, so. They can go suck it. No, I'm just kidding.

I hope. I hope D.C. doesn't do me as dirty. Yeah, no. It's good. I wouldn't be able to take Alfred. No. Anything happening. Like, I love him so much, too, because, like, you see the loyalty that he has to the Wayne family.

It's like after everything, after they let go of all of the staff when his parents died, he's like, no, I'm staying. And he's more than a butler. He's a friend. you know and then he's like a father figure for Batman as well but that also goes to show because he's kind of like a server right mm-hmm it goes to show how good this family treated him how good this family was and is to him it has been right because nobody's going to sit there and be that freaking cool and be like this is my family too yeah and not be blood without being treated as if you were like

the guy you know and I feel like I love that Alfred takes such pride in his position because it's almost like he's also head of the house

right? Yeah. He's also, it's like they made him king of the palace and the ultimate protector and I really like that I really do

because I see him as a protector I see him as the head of the house but he like but he knows his place you know like he's not like the ultimate he's that king that's like I'm sharing yes we share

the throne. Well, you know, I don't, I like it. I don't know if I'd go so far as to say he's a king, but he, to me, he's more like up there. Yeah, like, he's more like a knight or something where he's like, I will, I'm loyal to you forever. I will protect you forever. And he's always thinking about the best interest of the Wayne family and of Bruce and Batman.

And I love how he's like immediately just all in, you know, when he's like, oh, we're doing this now he's like okay cool you know i really say king because i just think i value him so much sure that i want him to be that king and i'm just like i feel like he's just so royal but also he's like you know he's like a dad he's like a father he's and he's also making sure that prince stays the king and he's like he goes no man we're both up here but you're you know what i got you it's almost like daddy like don't worry buddy yeah how much money you want like when he said that in the thing after he goes, well, it's a good thing I left everything to you.

He was like, well, how much would you? But you know he's going to give him everything. Yeah, yeah. It's like a, he's his protector. He's there to make sure that everything's okay. And I love that like every time, you know, Bruce disappears for seven years. He comes back and he's just like, okay, like we'll just pick up.

He gave me like in that moment. That was something I felt like I was like, oh, that's my mom. Like, because I feel like when it comes to anything like that, like I would leave everything in my mom's hand and in her hands and I know when she comes back she might make a joke like

so you came to collect you know how much you and then she'll like kind of mess with you but also be like here you go yeah I was just holding it for you exactly it's all yours anyway it's like it's that trust yeah

I love this I really love this I really I really loved Michael Cain's just very subtle acting as well in those moments like when Bruce was like when he came back the first time and he's like, I don't have any family and just the look on his face when he was like, what, what am I to you, if not your family?

Like the shit that he was saying, as you do when you're like a young person, right? And you say things without thinking and it's like, excuse you? I like when he gets mad at Bruce. And he goes, well, no, no, no, no, no, no. And he's just so spicy. Like he's more than a butler. Do you know what I mean? Because most of the time when you think of a butler, they just go, yes, sir.

But he always speaks his mind. And his number one goal is protect Bruce because he loves Bruce. And I love that for their relationship. And then also with Gary Oldman playing right now, he's Lieutenant Gordon, the cop, the good cop, right? Like, he's so great too. And I think if I, okay, I might be misrepresenting. So you guys can correct me in the comments if I'm wrong. But like, I'm not sure if.

Gary Oldman really knew what he was doing when he came on set. Like, he didn't really get it, you know? And so he was just like, uh, cool. Okay, I'll do this. But he does an amazing work every time, you know? And here's another fun fact for you. Okay. Um, this one I do know, because I saw the videos and you can, you can look it up.

Okay. Killian Murphy, who played Scarecrow, was actually being considered for Batman. No way. So you can go on YouTube and you can. search the audition tapes of like his screen test for Batman as as Batman. It's so interesting to see. But I think they made the right choice. I think they made the right choice with Christian Bale.

I think he's amazing as Batman. He's so good. But yeah, he's incredible as scarecrow. There was something I felt when I saw his screen test for Batman. It's like, oh yeah, there was something slightly menacing about the way he plays Batman. or Bruce Wayne. So, like, I get why ultimately he was cast as scarecrow, because, like, it worked so well.

Yeah. That's cool. I'm definitely going to look that up. Yeah. So that was Batman Begins. I loved it. Kristen loved it. I'm glad.

I'm a fool. I'm obsessed. I'm so, like, like I said, this one makes me want to be Batman. Now you understand. Now you're like, okay. Now I understand. Now I understand why people want to be Batman. This one, I'm, yeah.

Oh, yeah. I want to be Batman. Very cool. You know what it's funny? When I'm watching this, it actually made me go, that's it. I'm doing Jiu-Jitsu. I'm taking it up. Do it.

Only because I'm like, I'm like, I need to join a new club, like some type of like martial arts. Like, I need to go back into that. This was so cool. I'm like, as he was doing the fight scenes and learning, I'm like, that's it. And I'm going back. I'm going, it also made me want to go back to school. Like, it's very, it kind of like inspired me in a lot of different ways, but also creatively. And I'm like, interesting.

Like, there we go. These are the films I want to see. I want the ones that will inspire me, but also make me see myself or imagine myself as something even more. Right. To allow myself to elevate in some shape or form and to create new talents for myself. And I thought that was pretty cool. So we're going to go to Jiu-Jitsu, ninjitsu, like, some boxing, you know, like. Learn to just some gymnastics.

Gymnastics. Yeah. So watch the space. Anyway, you guys, that was great. We'll be watching the others. So make sure that you're subscribed, bell icon, all that good stuff. And we shall see you next time. I'm a charicouk.

This is. and some pinel. Ciao.