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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Batman Begins

    Picture5
    SoundNR
    WSR Score5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number):
    1000021452
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    For intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.
    (Retail Price):
    $28.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    140
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2005
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    07/08/08
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Christopher Nolan
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
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    Very different from the other Batman movies, "Batman Begins" stars Christian Bale as the caped crusader and Michael Caine as Bruce Wayne's trusted butler Alfred. After losing his parents in a mugging, young Bruce grows up to be an angry man bent on revenge and retribution. After traveling the world and learning to fight, Bruce returns to his home in Gotham City determined to free the good citizens from the evil that has claimed the city. Based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman created by Bob Kane. (Tricia Spears)

    Special features include the In-Movie Experience and three additional footage scenes: "Reflections On Writing" (SD 01:57), "Digital Batman" (SD 1:06), and "Batman: Begins Stunts" (SD 02:29). There are also nine featurettes: a five-minute MTV spoof "Tankman Begins" (SD 05:12—who said Napoleon Dynamite and Batman had nothing in common?), "Batman - The Journey Begins" (SD 14:16), "Shaping Mind And Body" (SD 12:49), "Gotham City Rises" (SD 12:48), "Cape And Cowl" (SD 08:18), "Batman—The Tumbler" (13:40), "Path To Discovery" (SD 14:14), "Saving Gotham City" (SD 13:01), and "Genesis Of The Bat" (SD 14:53). Confidential Files is a who's who description of various characters and weapons in the film, a Stills Gallery, The Dark Knight Imax® Prologue (HD 06:37), and the theatrical trailer. The Gift Set also includes an exclusive 32-page booklet featuring script pages, storyboards, and film stills from "The Dark Knight" Prologue; a 16-page DC Comic Book adaptation of "The Dark Knight" Prologue; five collectable "Batman Begins" postcards; and a "Batman Begins" key art Lenticular.

    The 1080p VC-1 picture is the same excellent quality as the VC-1-encoded 2.35:1 HD DVD picture previously reviewed in Issue 103 (December 2005). Image quality is spectacular, with intensely vibrant colors, deep rich blacks, and very impressive shadow delineation. Details are as well resolved as any high-definition images we have reviewed. Fine facial expressions and textures are perfectly resolved. The picture is very dimensional, with excellent contrast. The picture is rock solid and pristine with virtually no apparent noise or other artifacts. This is truly a reference-quality picture that is sure to please. (Gary Reber)

    The 2.40:1 Dolby® TrueHD 5.1-channel encoding is a first-rate production, with superb dynamic range and impressive fidelity and dimension. In some scenes, the surround channels are underutilized, which is the only hiccup of this release, especially in scenes that could be better defined spatially. But when fully engaged, surrounds are effectively directionalized. Dialogue sounds perfectly natural, though there is quite a lot of it ADR-produced, which could be better integrated spatially. The music score is phenomenal, with a wonderfully powerful symphonic orchestral score and rhythmic themes periodically injected to heighten the excitement. Bass extension is deep and powerful, often below 25 Hz in the LFE .1 channel. While the full potential for holosonic® sound design has not been realized, this is a most impressive reference-quality soundtrack that is emotionally engaging. (Gary Reber)

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