Batman Begins makes a spectacular debut today on Blu-ray, not that the 2005 blockbuster looked shabby on HD (the loser in the HD versus Blu-ray war) or even on standard discs. But the Blu-ray package is killer good, and would be even minus such tasty extras as mini-comics, five Batman postcards and a discount coupon worth $7.50 towards a ticket to The Dark Knight, opening July 18th. The new DVD is clearly meant to psych you hard for the sequel by featuring the first six minutes of Dark Knight. It involves a bank heist led by Heath Ledger's Joker and some homicidal clowns. As I said before, Ledger's acting in his last completed screen role is worthy of an Oscar and a time capsule. But don't let the Ledger dazzle blind you to the rest of the film's power, especially Christian Bale's performance as the Dark Knight himself. Here's the best reason why the new DVD edition of Batman Begins couldn't come at a better time:
You can study how Bale builds a character that transcends comic-book heroics to cut to Batman's tortured soul. This stripped-down prequel grounds the story in reality. If Tim Burton lifted the DC Comics franchise to gothic splendor and Joel Schumacher buried it in campy overkill (George Clooney's Batsuit had nipples), then Bale and director Christopher Nolan — the mind-teasing whiz behind Memento and Insomnia — deserve credit for resurrecting Batman as Bruce Wayne, a screwed-up rich kid with no clue about how to avenge the murders of his parents. Bale does wonders with Batman's origin story. His young, klutzy and untested Caped Crusader is still working out the kinks. He nearly gives himself a wedgie scaling a building in a self-designed Batsuit that weighs a stylish ton. Bale shows us a Batman caught in the act of inventing himself. Nolan is caught, too, in the act of deconstructing the Batman myth while still delivering the dazzle to justify a $150 million budget. Batman Begins is schizo entertainment, just a halting but key first step in building the visionarary landmark that is The Dark Knight. But Bale is doing something akin to what Al Pacino achieved in the first two Godfather films, showing us a haunted man in danger of losing his humanity.
Which brings me to the subject of Bale himself, a British actor born in Wales. Only thirty four, Bale is responsible for some of the more potent and risky performances in recent memory. At thirteen, in Steven Spielberg's criminally underrated Empire of the Sun, Bale excelled as an English schoolboy who lands in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Since then Bale has shone in movie after movie, without attracting the media attention that goes to the bad boys and tabloid darlings. Next up, in Michael Mann's Public Enemies, he'll be the FBI agent out to bring down Johnny Depp's John Dillinger. And he'll take on the role of John Connor in Terminator Salvation, a rethinking of the franchise directed by McG. If anyone can pull it off, it's Bale. With him, it's all about what's up there on screen. For example, here are a few Bale gems from just this decade:
American Psycho (2000) The sex and gore of Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel are infused with satire by director Mary Harron as a buff and perversely brilliant Bale plays Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street trader with a fiancé (Reese Witherspoon) and disturbingly violent urges that put the cops on his tail. Bale cuts to the toxic center of the yuppie materialism of the Reagan era. He is wicked fun as Bateman and his fellow traders compare business cards with an erotic urgency no woman could hope to stir up.
The Machinist (2004) The emphasis here was on the sixty-three pounds Bale lost to play Trevor Reznik, a drill-press operator tormented by insomnia. Bale's gripping, beyond-the-call-of-duty performance (a reverse on the fifty-five pounds Robert De Niro gained to play boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull) holds you in thrall.
The Prestige (2006) Bale springs nifty surrises in this offbeat thriller from Batman director Chris Nolan. Bale and costar Hugh Jackman play turn-of-the-twentieth-century magicians out to beat the other at his own devious game. In The Illusionist, Edward Norton had to work alone. Jackman and Bale make a mind-bending team. Special props to Bale, whose tour de force will spin your head around.
Rescue Dawn (2006) As Dieter Dengler, a German-born U.S. Navy pilot who was shot down over Laos in 1966, Bale brings a remarkable true story of a POW to vivid life. Critics obsessed over the fact that Bale ate live bugs to get inside his character, but Dieter's passion and obsession are the hallmaks of Bale's performance.
I'm Not There (2007) Bale joined his Dark Knight costar Heath Ledger to play one of the manifestations of the mystery that is Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes' like-no-other biopic. Bale gets to manifest two sides of the master, as folk prophet Jack and later the Christian convert Pastor John, revving up the congregation with "Pressing On."
3:10 to Yuma (2007) Bale is the anti-American Psycho as a rancher and family man determined to bring in Russell Crowe's charmboy villain. Virtue can be hell—not to mention boring—to play, but director James Mangold put a top-notch actor in the saddle. Bale actually makes you root for a moral code.
OK, that's where I stand. Name your own Bale bests and worsts.
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Dawn | August 14, 2008 1:37 PM
Christian Bale should have won an Oscar for Batman Begins, which was a classier, moodier, more thrilling, and more variable (fire and ice) film than The Dark Knight: which is all about sadism and explosions...to say nothing of a miscast Maggie/Rachael Dawes.
There was simply too much Joker and not enough Batman in TDK.
Bale went through a multitude of extreme physical and psychological changes in Batman Begins and made every incarnation a brilliant--and, dare I say BEAUTIFUL--revelation.
Christian Bale was SO GOOD, and SO BELIEVABLE that he made his utterly challenging and wildly diverse Bruce Wayne/Batman roles look absolutely effortless!
I think history will judge Batman Begins as one of the greatest movies of all time. The bat deluge summoned sequence, Batman's rhythmic movement through it, and the profound symphonic score that accompanies it is truly awe-inspiring. Just classic.
Would that Christian Bale were 007. He IS Bond. James Bond.
Edogg | July 15, 2008 7:29 PM
I'd rank them(his performances, not movie).
1. American Psycho
2. Rescue Dawn
3. Shaft
4. Batman Begins
5. The Machinist
6. The Prestige
7. Harsh Times
8. 3:10 to Yuma
9. I'm Not There
10. Empire of the Sun
-its difficult putting these performances in order, because he gives a great performance in all of these films. But I think he'll be remembered for American Psycho. He even elevated Harsh Times, which is his worst film.
Savon | July 12, 2008 2:58 PM
Bale is at his absolute best in American Psycho. His performance completely made the movie. I was reluctant to see the film because of what I had read about the graphic nature of the book, but I went anyway to support director Mary Harron because she had directed "Sins of the Father," an episode of my favorite TV show of all time, Homicide: Life on the Street. The intensity and skill of Bale's performance took me by surprise, and I have been a fan ever since.
method actor | July 10, 2008 6:18 PM
Reign. Of. Fire.
Nina | July 10, 2008 6:00 PM
Bale's worst is BATMAN?! You people are crazy.
I've loved him since American Psycho (I was too young for Empire of the Sun, but loved it anyways once I watched it).
Matt09 | July 10, 2008 2:26 PM
um... Stop-Loss came out on dvd today. With how much you seemed to love it in theaters, I figured you'd at least support it on dvd since it made pennies in the theaters.
Anonymous | July 10, 2008 12:38 PM
The Machinist was outstanding, Bale really leaves you stunned. You stare at his form the entire movie wondering just what drove this man to the extremes and then you find out. You then find your self wondering what drove Bale to that extreme, and thats what makes him the great actor he is.
zentropa | July 10, 2008 5:08 AM
He looked real good in SHAFT getting his ASS KICKED.
Anonymous | July 10, 2008 1:59 AM
The worst thing I've seen Bale in was Todd Hayne's other music biopic Velvet Goldmine. His performance wasn't awful (he outdid Jonathan Rhys Meyers) but the movie itself wasn't fully baked.
Unofficial Joker theme song? | July 10, 2008 1:45 AM
Saw the movie and the unofficial leak of the Joker theme song. Wow. My head's still buzzing. Definitely tops the last Batman. This one's a little darker, especially with the incredibly sinister Joker. He's mean (unlike the silly Jokers of the past) and one gets the sense that he'd had a dark dark past. Later I found out a band named KONGCRETE originally produced a song called "Demented" to be the Joker theme song. You can hear why the song was eventually banned by the movie studio. Found the video on YouTube when I searched "Dark Knight" and "Kongcrete". When I googled about the band, I found other songs on myspace.com/kongcrete and iTunes. Incredible stuff. They're kinda like Rage Against the Machine, Korn, Linkin Park, and Public Enemy. Does anybody have any more info about this band? Is it true that this song was supposed to be on the movie? I will definitely watch the movie again. Or 2 or 3 more times. Cheers.
aaron | July 9, 2008 10:50 PM
Harsh Times, nuff said.
AJ Muller | July 9, 2008 10:11 PM
He's been good in everything I've seen him in, but I was really impressed with 3:10 to Yuma. Not only because he held his own against Russell Crowe - that didn't surprise me at all, he's at least as good as Crowe - but because if they didn't have a great performance in that part, the movie wouldn't work, period. Bale is the reason that movie was as good as it was, not Crowe playing such a charismatic bad guy. You need an anchor like that to ground the movie, and Bale was superb as always.
Joker77 | July 9, 2008 8:11 PM
3:10 was great because he wasnt supposed to outshine Russle Crowe's character and a lesser actor would have gotten way lost with what Bale had to work with in opposing Crowe. Bale held up and the movie worked. Not his best character or movie but he did a lot with the material.
NotMozart | July 9, 2008 7:01 PM
Oh boy. Now I love Christian Bale in just about anything, but you should all go rent Newsies. That's one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I still can't imagine how Disney conned Robert Duval into that steaming heap. and now that I've seen Bale's range and talent, I can't believe they got him to make it.
sean | July 9, 2008 6:49 PM
equilibrium is pretty bad, its like they wanted a matrix rip off as fast as they could make it....the trailer and portishead song lure you into netflixing it but then you spend the next 2hrs cursing yourself for having sparked one for this movie.
White Elephant | July 9, 2008 4:56 PM
Is it time for the Batman backlash yet?
mickey most-of-the-time | July 9, 2008 4:13 PM
has anybody seen Equlibrium, now that's an under the radar future cult classic
Homestar | July 9, 2008 4:04 PM
I don't think Christian Bale has ever made a bad movie...
deepak | July 9, 2008 2:15 PM
bales best : american psycho for its pure tour de force
bales worst : batman begins for its total lack of spectacle
Jack | July 9, 2008 1:30 PM
Did anyone here see "Newsies"? The Disney musical about a bunch of paperboys going on strike in New York? Bale played leader to all the rag-tag newsy boys? He even sang and danced? The corniest, most cheese-ball movie of all-time ? Yes. But just try and stop singing those songs.
Christian Zafiroglu | July 9, 2008 1:18 PM
Ha! Jason Bateman! Patrick Bateman, asshole!
Christian Zafiroglu | July 9, 2008 1:17 PM
Bale comes on like an enigma. I'm taken aback with every performance, as he seems determined to take on every near-impossible role out there. How many could do Jason Bateman as nervous psycho, Deiter Dengler as optimistic survivor, Bob Dylan twice in one movie, the moralistic rancher in 3:10 to Yuma, and Batman in the midst of all that? He's tough to figure out, and he doesn't reveal much in interviews. His best is the likes of The Machinist and The Presitige, where he can drill into a character's psyche completely. The worst? Touch call, because he doesn't seem to be capable of bad work, yet. Even the small roles he excels in beat most other actors lead performances. He's an actor for the new century, when range, range, range, are going to keep us riveted. So far, he's nailing everything
JP | July 9, 2008 12:03 PM
Bale's best is "American Psycho". A very difficult role played with just the right amount of menace and humor.
His worst is "Batman Begins". He was uncharismatic as Bruce Wayne. He was annoying as Batman. Also, Christopher Nolan deserves some critism for his ADD dialouge. After the hundredth mention of "fear" and "being afraid", I wanted to scream at the screen, "I got it. This movie is about conquering your fear. Now get on with it!"
"Batman Begins" is a schizoid mess. So, I'm waiting for the word of mouth after the release to see it's worth taking another chance with this franchise. I hope "Dark Knight" redeems itself, because I am a big fan of Batman and wants to see it be made well.
Varuna | July 9, 2008 11:41 AM
Bale worst? Is there such a thing?
I always thought he was an amazing actor after he scared the beejesus outta me in American Pyscho, but it was his performance in The Machinst the confirmed my thought that he's his generation's best.
Bo | July 9, 2008 9:28 AM
He's great, one of my favorite actors, can't put my eyes or mind off, while watching a film with him.
Bateman = Batman, without an "e". :)
Juan Carlo | July 9, 2008 8:27 AM
Bale is slowly turning into an actor's actor; this guy will be a legend by the time he's 45. Even in his lesser-seen roles, like SHAFT or REIGN OF FIRE, this guy manages to creep me out or actually make me want to watch the movie. This guy takes his craft seriously. I applaud his job on THE PRESTIGE above all --this guy is to Nolan what de Niro is (was?) for Scorsese. And I predict he will be in the same league (if not already).
Ethan | July 9, 2008 8:23 AM
Bale is certainly my favorite Batman of all time, but I also really enjoyed his performance in 3:10 to Yuma for showing a conflicted man trying to do what's right for his family.
Liam Gallagher | July 9, 2008 1:57 AM
Bale is brilliant in everything he does. But his performance in American Psycho stands apart.
Bryan | July 9, 2008 12:58 AM
I am excited about the new Bat-flick, and I am waiting with anticipation just like everyone else to see Heath Ledger's take on the Joker. What I hope doesn't get lost is that the story should really always be about Batman -- who he is and why he does what he does. Like Peter said, Bale did such a good job in the first film of making Bruce Wayne a character and Batman a suit. That's where the original Bat-franchise went wrong. Michael Keaton was fine as Batman -- in fact, he was quite good, as was Val Kilmer -- but those flicks quickly became about "What big star can we put into a silly costume as one of the villains?" and Batman kind of got kicked to the curb. Does anyone think George Clooney would have been bad in the Tim Burton films? No -- he just got stuck in the one flick where Batman really got put on the back burner. I think it's interesting that Christian Bale is reinventing Batman at the same time Daniel Craig is reinventing James Bond. Much like Batman Begins got things right by focusing on Batman the man, not the icon, Casino Royale did the same with Bond, allowing Craig to make 007 a character again, not a suit. Let's hope that franchise continues in the same vein when Quantum of Solace comes out this fall. It's a tribute to both of these actors -- Bale and Craig -- that we can see them in other roles, even when they take off their superhero suits.
Obama had a name for this. | July 9, 2008 12:23 AM
EMPIRE OF THE SON was amazing, but I think the young boy in the film was actually a robot and not Christian Bale.
Philbee | July 8, 2008 9:10 PM
I remember seeing Empire Of The Sun - it was great that Spielberg used a child actor as a character instead of a vessel for his own lost childhood. The performance by Bale, especially the final scene where he is reunited with his parents is powerful. Bale might be the finest young leading man in films today because at his essence he is a character actor. The new Jeff Bridges.