Review Detail

9.4 19 10
DKS Recut Part I - Poster.jpg
FanFix August 16, 2014 7897
Overall rating
 
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
8.0
This is a tough one. Batman Begins is, I think, the best movie of the three: coherent, tightly edited, with heart.
But njvc showss that BB can be tweaked. No major cuts here, just little nips and tucks everywhere which, for the most part, greatly improve the film.

First, the negatives:
I missed "SWEAR TO ME!" - I think it's funny, but no biggie.

But these next cuts make the edit a companion piece rather than a replacement to the original:
Cutting Bruce's hesitant response to Rachel and de-emphasising the "it's what you dooo" weakens the link they have. His soul is laid bare in the "it's not what you see, it's underneath" - you see the deep connection Rachel has for him - she is his link to normalcy. Removing it removes his link to normalcy, which considerably weakens not just this film but the next two as well.
It also makes her realisation that he's Batman really random. In the original their interaction sticks out in your mind - his vulnerability is so unusual. In the edit the scene is forgotten - so much so that at the kiss at the well I thought "huh? how did she know he's Batman!"
The kiss is also very weird. I know Holmes delivery is iffy, but without the dialogue their reactions are just extremely odd. She needs to tell him that his mask is his normal face - because that's a major theme (will the Bat consume the Man?), which is also a callback to "hwo I am underneath" (which is probably why you removed it?)-
A v2 re-inserting all three scenes "it's me underneath" "it's what I dooo" and stregnthens the characters immensely and would replace BB (for me, at least!).
I'd also either cut Flass threatening the kids or put back the voodoo-vision for him - at the moment it just seems that he's going to randomly murder some kids. I know he's an ass, but he wasn't THAT bad!

Then the positives:
Wow. Just wow. Nipped and tucked and tweaked - this edit is amazing. Lots of tiny, flawless trims to dialogue.
The Mr Earl sideplot, although amusing, is easily disposed of and strengthen the movie.
Ra's is more threatening with the removal of acres of exposition. Now he's focussed, brutal, to the point.
The weird voodoovision is flawlessly removed - and the movie is SO much better for it.
The editing is amazing!

Audio: There was one point when I noticed a flutter in the music (the 10,000 cowl's scene), otherwise flawless to my ears. Impressive.
Video quality is superb (watched HD mkv).

I rated BB a 8/9 originally. This edit is better in so many ways, but because of the Rachel /Bruce scenes mentioned above I can't replace BB. So it comes in as a solid 8.
For those who aren't bothered by those scenes- you will never watch the original again.
Outstanding work njvc.

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
Owner's reply August 18, 2014

Thanks for the review dangermouse. I can understand your feelings around the Bruce/Rachel dialogue. Personally, I found the sentiment in those scenes a bit on the nose, and preferred a more subtle approach to their interactions. Likewise with "Swear to Me!", I realise many fans enjoy that line. For me, it is an example of the OTT shouty voice that doesn't fit with my preferred version of the character. Regardless of these points, I was pleased to read that you enjoyed the edit overall!

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Comments

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August 18, 2014
I thought that your intention was to keep the rationale behind the scenes, and chop the weak performances. However, I'm not sure it works without already having seen the originals? Like I said, I was taken aback by her knowing he was Batman, even though I've watched BB quite a few times!
It's one of those things that are very hard to judge as a faneditor. I ended up re-inserting many scenes I'd cut from my Matrix edit after a few months away - when I looked with fresh eyes, the logic jumps for the audience were just too far. I'd "filled in" with my familiarity with the movie. (I'm not saying this is the case with these scenes, just that it may be. I'll have to watch the edit again. My initial feelings may be a little off because I was expecting a more on-the-nose reveal.)
D
dangermouse
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