Mr. & Mrs. Smith / Batman Begins
Batman & Smiths explore dark secrets
For years now, summer movies have been mindless action flicks aimed at bored high-school students with extra time on their hands and plenty of cash to spend. Though Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Batman Begins fall into this action-packed tradition, they seem to have raised the bar of what can now be expected.
On the surface, Mr. & Mrs. Smith looks like a dark glorification of domestic violence, attacking the institution of marriage and making light of serious relational problems. The story involves bored couple John (Brad Pitt) and Jane (Angelina Jolie) Smith. Though the Smiths began their marriage as passionate lovers, the magic has somehow disappeared, and they’re not quite sure where they went wrong. In the meantime, they both discover that the other is a secret agent for a rival agency, requiring each of them to kill the other spouse. Pretty disturbing, huh? However, through a series of action-packed events, the Smiths are actually able to open up emotionally and communicate honestly.
Communication and honesty are two themes that continue to pop up throughout the film. After growing bored with physical intimacy, the Smiths are eventually forced into deeper forms of intimacy—that which can only come through genuine dialogue between two committed partners. The violence and countless brushes with death may seem unbelievable (though excellently choreographed), but the natural progression of a struggling-though-getting-better relationship makes the film worthwhile.
What keeps Mr. & Mrs. Smith unique to the genre is its comedic timing. The film could’ve easily focused on the couple’s cold-blooded hatred for one another, the tortures they inflict to express that hatred and the justification of those tortures. Instead, the Smiths have the snappy banter of Abbott & Costello and the physical comedy of The Three Stooges. Their conversations are both clever and universal, bringing light to some of the most common relational problems and offering some surprisingly solid advice. This valuable lesson on creating functional relationships can also be applied to our relationship with God and the importance of prayer.
Like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Batman Begins deals with double identities, though it takes this motif into more psychological depths. (The only thing more surprising than a secret agent movie with originality is a Batman movie that capitalizes on psychology rather than spectacle.)
Batman Begins follows the journey of Bruce Wayne from fragile rich kid to Gotham City’s vigilante hero. As a child, Bruce becomes consumed with his anger after a mugger murders his parents. Though understandably apathetic and baggage-laden, Bruce encounters several mentors and milestone events that shape his destiny. Through sage advice from martial arts mentor Ducard (Jedi master Liam Neeson), compassionate father-figure/butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and childhood sweetheart Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), Bruce confronts the fears that have left him dead inside—fears that have prepared him for an inevitable resurrection.
Unlike its campy predecessors, Batman Begins returns to the comic book idea of a human superhero with no superpowers—one who must daily confront and overcome his weaknesses. Bruce’s two most prevalent weaknesses are his paralyzing fear of bats and the guilt he feels for his parents’ death. Additionally, though, the film looks at his conscious effort to leave his lofty position of wealth and live among the common people—from thieves to prisoners, fighters to the homeless. After spending time with the underbelly of society, Bruce overcomes temptation (to join Ducard’s League of Shadows and police the world with an iron fist), returns to his father’s wealth, and fights with a new resurrection body (as Batman) to redeem the depraved and already-condemned Gotham City.
In addition to the psychological depth, this Batman film is different from previous incarnations in its look. Batman Begins pays careful attention to making Batman mysterious and frightening. The hero himself is gruff-voiced, angry and intense. Instead of utilizing a bright neon color scheme, the film is full of black. From dark alley to dank cave to everything Batman owns: it’s all black. Where the previous films sought to dazzle the eye, this one seeks to downplay fight scenes, flashy costumes or elaborate lairs. What results is a focus on the story and the story alone. Were it not for an incredibly talented ensemble cast and a meticulously planned screenplay, this could’ve been a disaster.
Batman Begins, like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, explores relationships. While Smiths hones in on romance, Batman looks at familial relationships, awareness of the downtrodden and self-exploration. It challenges us to identify those fears that hold us back, and to conquer them so that we may live full lives. Though some may have more baggage than others, Batman Begins follows Bruce’s healing so realistically that we leave thinking, “If he can get over his past, so can I.”
These two films show us that, when entering the theater with a Biblical mindset, we can find truth in some of the most unlikely sources. From Mr. & Mrs. Smith, we learn that relationships are hard work, but that honest communication can really go a long way (John 14:13). From Batman Begins, we learn that emotional baggage can really seem overwhelming at times, but that with the right focus, we can overcome our fears (2 Timothy 1:7) and turn our attention toward helping others who hurt.
Both Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Batman Begins are rated PG-13. Batman Begins seems geared toward the young teen to middle-aged adult range. It includes intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements. Though relatively clean, its darkness could possibly frighten children. Married or seriously dating couples will get more out of Mr. & Mrs. Smith than the average viewer. It has several of the typical elements of a James Bond film: sequences of violence, intense action, sexual content and brief strong language. Husbands not so keen on chick flicks would enjoy the action, and wives tired of mindless action will like the romance. Whichever you choose, you’re bound to walk away with a valuable life lesson.
For years now, summer movies have been mindless action flicks aimed at bored high-school students with extra time on their hands and plenty of cash to spend. Though Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Batman Begins fall into this action-packed tradition, they seem to have raised the bar of what can now be expected.
On the surface, Mr. & Mrs. Smith looks like a dark glorification of domestic violence, attacking the institution of marriage and making light of serious relational problems. The story involves bored couple John (Brad Pitt) and Jane (Angelina Jolie) Smith. Though the Smiths began their marriage as passionate lovers, the magic has somehow disappeared, and they’re not quite sure where they went wrong. In the meantime, they both discover that the other is a secret agent for a rival agency, requiring each of them to kill the other spouse. Pretty disturbing, huh? However, through a series of action-packed events, the Smiths are actually able to open up emotionally and communicate honestly.Communication and honesty are two themes that continue to pop up throughout the film. After growing bored with physical intimacy, the Smiths are eventually forced into deeper forms of intimacy—that which can only come through genuine dialogue between two committed partners. The violence and countless brushes with death may seem unbelievable (though excellently choreographed), but the natural progression of a struggling-though-getting-better relationship makes the film worthwhile.
What keeps Mr. & Mrs. Smith unique to the genre is its comedic timing. The film could’ve easily focused on the couple’s cold-blooded hatred for one another, the tortures they inflict to express that hatred and the justification of those tortures. Instead, the Smiths have the snappy banter of Abbott & Costello and the physical comedy of The Three Stooges. Their conversations are both clever and universal, bringing light to some of the most common relational problems and offering some surprisingly solid advice. This valuable lesson on creating functional relationships can also be applied to our relationship with God and the importance of prayer.Like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Batman Begins deals with double identities, though it takes this motif into more psychological depths. (The only thing more surprising than a secret agent movie with originality is a Batman movie that capitalizes on psychology rather than spectacle.)
Batman Begins follows the journey of Bruce Wayne from fragile rich kid to Gotham City’s vigilante hero. As a child, Bruce becomes consumed with his anger after a mugger murders his parents. Though understandably apathetic and baggage-laden, Bruce encounters several mentors and milestone events that shape his destiny. Through sage advice from martial arts mentor Ducard (Jedi master Liam Neeson), compassionate father-figure/butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and childhood sweetheart Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), Bruce confronts the fears that have left him dead inside—fears that have prepared him for an inevitable resurrection.Unlike its campy predecessors, Batman Begins returns to the comic book idea of a human superhero with no superpowers—one who must daily confront and overcome his weaknesses. Bruce’s two most prevalent weaknesses are his paralyzing fear of bats and the guilt he feels for his parents’ death. Additionally, though, the film looks at his conscious effort to leave his lofty position of wealth and live among the common people—from thieves to prisoners, fighters to the homeless. After spending time with the underbelly of society, Bruce overcomes temptation (to join Ducard’s League of Shadows and police the world with an iron fist), returns to his father’s wealth, and fights with a new resurrection body (as Batman) to redeem the depraved and already-condemned Gotham City.
In addition to the psychological depth, this Batman film is different from previous incarnations in its look. Batman Begins pays careful attention to making Batman mysterious and frightening. The hero himself is gruff-voiced, angry and intense. Instead of utilizing a bright neon color scheme, the film is full of black. From dark alley to dank cave to everything Batman owns: it’s all black. Where the previous films sought to dazzle the eye, this one seeks to downplay fight scenes, flashy costumes or elaborate lairs. What results is a focus on the story and the story alone. Were it not for an incredibly talented ensemble cast and a meticulously planned screenplay, this could’ve been a disaster.Batman Begins, like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, explores relationships. While Smiths hones in on romance, Batman looks at familial relationships, awareness of the downtrodden and self-exploration. It challenges us to identify those fears that hold us back, and to conquer them so that we may live full lives. Though some may have more baggage than others, Batman Begins follows Bruce’s healing so realistically that we leave thinking, “If he can get over his past, so can I.”
These two films show us that, when entering the theater with a Biblical mindset, we can find truth in some of the most unlikely sources. From Mr. & Mrs. Smith, we learn that relationships are hard work, but that honest communication can really go a long way (John 14:13). From Batman Begins, we learn that emotional baggage can really seem overwhelming at times, but that with the right focus, we can overcome our fears (2 Timothy 1:7) and turn our attention toward helping others who hurt.
Both Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Batman Begins are rated PG-13. Batman Begins seems geared toward the young teen to middle-aged adult range. It includes intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements. Though relatively clean, its darkness could possibly frighten children. Married or seriously dating couples will get more out of Mr. & Mrs. Smith than the average viewer. It has several of the typical elements of a James Bond film: sequences of violence, intense action, sexual content and brief strong language. Husbands not so keen on chick flicks would enjoy the action, and wives tired of mindless action will like the romance. Whichever you choose, you’re bound to walk away with a valuable life lesson.
BATMAN BEGINS
—Overview
—Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections
posted by Greg Wright at 1:39 PM
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