MovieZen Blog

Batman—How Low Can You Go?

I’m not referring to ticket sales. In fact, according to studio estimates, "The Dark Knight" just generated another $43.8 million this weekend making it Hollywood's top grossing flick for the third-straight weekend. The Batman blockbuster has raked in more than $394 million in just 17 days. Studio execs are now predicting that the Warner Bros. release should pass the $400 million by Tuesday. If it does it will smash the previous $400 million record, which was held by "Shrek 2," (though that film didn’t hit the $400 million mark until day 43 of its release).

With skyrocketing ticket sales and thumbs-up reviews it appears as though “The Dark Knight” is on an untouchable high. However, of the few complaints lodged against the popular Batman flick, the one that is making the most noise involves the volume of the Cape Crusader’s voice. 

One movie critic calls Batman’s voice an irritating combination of “Clint Eastwood and a grizzly bear.” Christian Bale is accused of delving so deep into lower registers that his voice is almost a distraction, most notably in heated scenes when Batman almost sounds beastly. 

The New Yorker's David Denby praised Bale's overall performance, but noted that he "delivers his lines in a hoarse voice with an unvarying inflection." 

That’s kind compared to the review of Bale’s voice by MSNBC’s Alonso Duralde. In a recent interview Duralde said that Bale's Batman in "Batman Begins""sounded absurdly deep, like a 10-year-old putting on an 'adult' voice to make prank phone calls. This time, Bale affects an eerie rasp, somewhat akin to Brenda Vaccaro doing a Miles Davis impression."

Ouch!

Interestingly, critics don’t have a problem with the way Bale voices Bruce Wayne. One critic even went as far as saying Bale made Wayne’s voice sound as “smooth as finely pressed suits.”

“The Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan says Bale was left to interpret the character on his own and came up with his own voice effects; however, in some scenes the frequency of Batman’s voice was modified by sound technicians to exaggerate the effect.

We noticed. 

Critics suggest that as Batman has gotten darker, his voice has gotten deeper. Only in “The Dark Knight” most agree Bale’s attempt to alter his voice between Bruce Wayne and Batman voice verges on annoying.

Do you agree?  

Lucia Kim
**Read more articles by Lucia Kim**

Christian Bale for President

President Bale. It would make me seriously consider applying for U.S. Citizenship. Better him than President Cruise.

See, Tom Cruise is no longer, well, Tom Cruise. I mean, sure, he retains his two-syllable name and crazy laugh, but in terms of box-office draw, he's pretty much lost his mass appeal. It started with a couch and went down from there. I miss Charlie Babbitt....

So when Tom quit Warner Bros.'s upcoming "28th Amendment," studio execs made an offer to Bale, arguably the hottest name in movies right now (and the star of what will be the biggest movie of the year. Trust me. I'm psychic when it comes to really obvious things).

Phillip Noyce is directing the thriller. Bale (should he choose to accept the offer) will be playing the American president who discovers that a criminal organization is running the country. A secret organization run by Bale's would-be assassin, Denzel Washington. Yes, the Denzel Washington. I don't know about you, but there is no one I would rather have attempt to kill me.

If there's any controversy in the casting, it's that Bale isn't American. But that didn't stop him from being the ultimate American psycho. Or the ultimate American superhero. And I'm far more comfortable seeing Bruce Wayne in the White House than I am with a Washington-bound Jerry Maguire.

Look for another mega-hit from Bale, and perhaps a resurgence in the political-thriller genre. I'd vote for him. Unfortunately for Christian, I'd also vote for his assassin.

Nadine Bells
on her toes

**Read more articles by Nadine Bells**

The Dark Knight

The latest addition to the Batman series is almost upon us and promises to be the most successful escapade of our favorite cape and cowl superhero. There is no question that The Dark Knight will make a bang at the box office for a whole host of reasons.

The most unfortunate reason is of course the demise of the late Heath Ledger. The Australian born actor, who overdosed accidentally on sleeping pills, will be on the big screen for the second last time as Batman’s arch nemesis, The Joker.

Speaking of the Joker, there is absolutely no villain in the comic book world who can match the maniacal clown in popularity. The Joker will actually draw significantly more than most superheroes. For every one person watching The Dark Knight for Batman, there will be another watching for The Joker.

Actors and characters aside, this movie will probably do well because it’s Batman and because fans have mostly forgiven Hollywood for its lackluster performance on some of the previous movies. In all fairness, Cheech and Chong could have replaced Christian Bale and Gary Oldman without anybody really paying any attention. The monster budget for big names and big guns is nice fluff for a movie that could probably stand on its own two feet without the need for a bloated budget.

While there is no denying the box office success that The Dark Knight will enjoy, there is still the much overlooked question of actually how good this movie will be. The predecessor of The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, was a good movie, albeit nothing to write home about. Financially, make another dozen or so Batman related movies makes sense, but how long will audiences continue to embrace the most popular contemporary comic book character on his big screen journey?

On July 18^th, we will certainly find out if The Dark Night deserves the hype it gets. Even if the movie turns out to be nothing special in the end, as long as it’s dark and gritty like all Batman stories should be, there won’t be too many complaints.

Ozzy Neav
De Novo Magazine

**Read more articles by Ozzy Neav**

Christian Bale: Everyone's Hero

When I was in elementary school, I spent an afternoon at the movies. It was Little Women, an adaptation of my then-favorite novel. And at the age of 11, I fell in love with the charming Laurie. A few years later, I was to learn that the actor's name was Christian Bale. I was hooked.

High-school sleepovers were dubbed "Bale Nights": Newsies, Swing Kids and Little Women. Every time. When he popped up in A Midsummer Night's Dream, I memorized Helena's monologue. Oh, the things we do for love.

So it's no exaggeration to say that I'm a fan of Christian's (yes, we're on a first-name basis). And I take pride in the fact that I loved him in Empire of the Sun long before his famous American Psycho turn, and before the general public identified him as Batman. Oh, and he's Welsh, folks. He just keeps the American accent during press tours because he thinks he owes it to the fans to sound like an American when promoting an American icon.

Now he's jumping into another franchise. No, not Bond (I once had such high hopes). Bale is currently filming the first of three Terminator sequels he's signed on for, playing rebel leader John Connor. Usually, I'd be wary of such sequel commitment before the first airs. Or of signing on to a major franchise while already identified with another. But Christian's track record of remarkable career choices calms my overexposure fears.

Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins will be playing everywhere this time next year. And I'll be there.

Go ye forth (to Blockbuster) and rent Rescue Dawn and 3:10 to Yuma. And one day, the Academy will give our beloved Batman an Oscar. Trust me.

Nadine
on her toes

**Read more articles by Nadine Bells**