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20 comments
Rank This Matchup or Comment/Reply Below
on 8/23/2011
Batman Begins is flawed and, frankly, Nolanites are so in denial about that fact. The reason a lot of people like Batman Begins is because it followed the awful Batman & Robin and set up the exceptional TDK. On it's own, Batman Begins is on the lower end of the scale, not bad but not even close to a film as good as Captain America. Cap is an exceptional film in most every way.
on 8/25/2011
Batman Begins is vastly superior to CA for one major reason: BB has fantastic character development, or in this case, ANY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AT ALL!!! I'm sorry, but the former Human Torch did NOT give this character anything in the way of depth. Captain America is, quite possibly, the most stagnant titular character in the history of origin films, comic book or otherwise. A glorified steroid injection does not develop anything but muscles. Batman Begins, on the other hand, not only had Bruce go through a great change from the start of the film, but made that journey layered and complex and gave it the proper time to develop properly without feeling rushed or contrived (i.e. Thor). Combine that with a vastly superior supporting cast and villain (Neeson squashes Weaving) and Batman still holds up as one of the greatest films of any genre.
In defence of Chris Evans, there's nothing he could've done to Capt. USA to bring him to life. He could've tried playing a 'different' character but he played Cap, and Cap is just a blah character.
on 8/29/2011
Good God it's not even close. Captain America is a superior film. If a person really thinks that's character development in Batman Begins then they don't know what that term means. The plot and overall story of Batman Begins is not very good. The entire villain plot is flat out laughable. Plus, once Bruce puts the suit on and assumes the identity the movie spirals downward. Cap is an adventure film that builds and offers payoffs along the way. It features many tones unlike the dark monotone Begins. Evans trumps Bale and didn't have to use a "tough guy" gravel voice to do it. You believe the reason why Cap dresses as he does and is able to do superhuman things. The reason why Bruce dresses as a flying rodent and does what he does is ridiculous given the parameters of the movie. Steve Rogers has character to start the film and spends the running time defending and building upon those features. Did he change internally over the course of the film? No, that's the point. Did Indiana Jones change during Raiders of the Lost Ark?
Batman Begins is vastly superior because Bruce's transition from single minded vengeance to justice was complex, layered and took its time to have him go through the transition rather than just have him "get it", and it's far more engaging than any journey a Marvel character has gone through. Evans Cap is bland and one note, building on nothing except physical ability. Ghul's plot is no more ridiculous than Skull's, but Neeson's performance sells it better. Bruce's transition to Batman is handled extremely well and makes complete sense, not to mention the costume in general is much less laughable than Cap's. BB also has better dialogue and a much tighter script with less cliches, and doesn't have any massive plotholes, like the team breaking into a facility through the open windows of a supposedly "secure, underground base".
on 8/30/2011
Without a doubt, Captain America The First Avengers destroys Batman Begins. Anyone saying otherwise must be a relative of Chris Nolan or Nolan himself.
Batman begins annihilates any film that the drastically overrated Marvel studios have ever put to screen, especially CA, which has a one dimensional lead, tons of bad cliches, and Tommy Lee Jones playing Tommy Lee Jones (just like in 99% of his films).
cap is half a great film, up unitl time change montage that film was well paced and enjoyable, then someone hit the fast forward button and it becomes a mess, does anyone remember who the fuck the howling commando's are? what's with bucky's random death? batman begins is slightly more enjoyable and doesn't have a stupid pace change halfway through it, loved both these film but the bat takes it just cause it's well, better
Whatever these Nolan disciples are smoking I'll pass on it. Cap wins this one rather easily. Captain America combines the thrills of a summer popcorn spectacular with the craftsmanship of a more ambitious picture. BB was good for getting Batman off the canvas after the franchise was knocked cold but it can't match the best of Marvel on it's best day. Just because Nolan has single-handedly kept the DC properties from being the complete laughingstock of the cinematic world doesn't mean we should judge Batman Begins higher because of what has followed from the WB.
Batman begins is a much stronger film than Cap for various reasons, the biggest being that its titular character is actually developed. I'm not saying all good movies have to have fleshed out, complex, rich characters to be good (i.e: 2001, Inception) but for a superhero ORIGIN film that's supposed to depict the journey of Steve Rogers, CA has less meat than a vegan platter. Plus, Cap has some incredibly stupid plot points, like the one where the government keeps Cap in the sidelines doing musicals when he is by far their best soldier. Yes, after pumping millions of dollars into this government project to create the perfect soldier and SUCCEEDING, they keep their best weapon on the sidelines because “There's not enough like him”, and please don't try to patronize me by saying 'They wanted to keep the formula away from the bad guys'. More soldiers would mean GREATER access to the chemical. It was nothing more than a contrived element to make Steve “prove” his worth, even though he already did by catching up to a Nazi soldier driving away on foot, and cram in an unnecessary action scene. Also, what kind of an idiot would infiltrate a Nazi base wearing a BIG FRIGGIN' AMERICAN SYMBOL like a bulls-eye on his back. It would have made more sense to take the outfit of one of the soldiers he knocked out. Combine that with bad cliches, like “The walking in on him kissing the secretary”, which is completely pointless as it will have no impact on their relationship whatsoever and only the most braindead neanderthal would think it would deter their eventual coupling.
on 10/27/2011
Love the Captain America Blu-Ray and love the quote on the DVD cover... "The best superhero movie ever” (Brian Erdy, CBS-TV), certainly better than Batman Begins.
As usual, Marvel doing whatever it can to whore its product out.
on 10/29/2011
You say whore like that's a bad thing. I love the right whore!
Cap edges this one for me, it's slicker, more stylish and has more overall depth than Batman Begins and that's without factoring in the age gap between the two. Cap just has more going for it than the slower paced Batman.
on 11/13/2011
No way is Captan America better than Batman Begins. Captain America isn't a very interesting character and that alone should rank it below Begins without having to mention everything else Batman does better.
on 11/14/2011
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/Wolvie09/news/?a=49715 "Captain America is a Sales Hero... Home Video Sales Chart Sets Blu-ray Marketshare Record!" Oh, that's gotta hurt those haters!
I think Captain America tops Batman Begins for me. Yes, Batman Begins was a success that allowed Nolan to bring out The Dark Knight which was a very successful and acclaimed film. However, unlike Captain America, it just doesn't have the strength and charm that Captain America has. Captain America is not just a stand-alone movie. It's a part of the Avengers that is coming out in 2012, which may I add, has had years and years of planning. Whereas Batman solely relies on the fact that 'it's Batman', Captain America suits both casual and hardcore fans of the comics. To date, most of the Marvel movies (Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk) are officially tied into a canon universe that will come into fruition in 2012. If you were not captivated by the other Marvel movies, you can watch Captain America as a stand-alone title and still have a great time. Captain America also is a break-away from the gritty and edgy comic book movies that have dominated the cinemas during the 2000s. It doesn't poke fun at the fact that there are costumed vigilantes fighting because of some tragic origin, it's about an honest-to-down-good guy who has given the opportunity to serve his country. It's refreshing and is not afraid of prancing it's colors on the screen.
on 11/16/2011
It's been ages since I watched Begins, and when I did it was while I was in the midst of doing laundry and pretending to study. So, yeah, not very clear memories of it and I can't say with any certainty that I liked Captain America better than it. However, I have to take issue with all these assertions that Steve Rogers is not an interesting character, boring because of his very goodness. As much as I want complex characterization, I also occasionally like to see someone up on the screen who is flat-out good and admirable. I know this isn't something that is looked well upon in our postmodern world, but I sometimes get tired of all these dark figures battling inner demons.
on 3/26/2012
Both are in my top 100 but Batman Begins does it for me. I see a much more complex character in Bruce Wayne and see much more of a character arc in his development. Nolan did a brilliant job of bringing what could have been a very cheesy character (Think Tim Burton) to a very gritty world
Is Batman Begins a "better" movie, per se....sure. But the Cap is more entertaining...so I'll go with the Avenger.
Captain America: The First Avenger and Batman Begins fall into the same genre but they're two different viewing experiences. I enjoy both, but Batman Begins left me breathless by the credits. You do not have to be a comic book reader or even a fan of superhero movies to love it. I'm not so sure about Captain America. It's a solid entertainment for sure, but I feel its obligation to its fan base at times took over its storytelling. That being said, seeing the film turned me into a fan of Captain America whereas before I had only seen bits and pieces of the caped icon. By contrast, Batman Begins showed me a side of a superhero I thought I knew and gave me a brand new experience at the movies. Captain America is a well-constructed origin story, but it follows a formula that at times felt a little familiar. Batman Begins is an origin story too, but I never felt that Nolan was saving all of his tricks for a later movie. I feel that is the reason The Dark Knight was so successful. Had Batman Begins been a strictly business origin story and not the stand alone film it is, the surprise of The Dark Knight would not have been as unexpected. With these films, Nolan has given audiences two heaping spoonfulls of the Batman legend. Captain America at times feels like the appetizer before the main course that is (or hopefully will be) The Avengers.
Batman Begins is far, far superior. Why someone would even have to think about this matchup is beyond me.
I kinda enjoyed CA but I enjoyed BB more although I don't think it's as good as everyone says it is,but the dark knight is a masterpeice.
on 3/27/2012
I don't understand why people dislike Christopher Nolan so much. He hasn't made a bad movie and just continues to make great movies after great movies. This is not a debate BB wins hands down CA is like a 7 where as BB is more of an 8-8.2
on 4/27/2012
Captain America is half of a good film. Batman Begins, though I feel it's overrated, is far superior.
on 7/17/2012
I stand by my defense of the Cap as a character. But I just watched Batman Begins and it's a better film, due to the writing, direction, and performances. I'm glad I gave it a second chance. One of the better superhero movies, and not just set-up for TDK.
theres a diffrence between fun superhero movie than deep character study. for me when seeing captain america, i was in the theater very entertained and the story was really straight foward. it had everything i wanted in a marvel movie. for me when seeing Batman Begins. it was very complex and it certainly made me think way more about whats going on in the movie than just entertaining me with explosions laughs and colors. Batman Begins is more for the film critic when Captain America is more for the fanboy which u can call me both.
on 7/18/2012
Captain America is just a better all around movie. It has more heart and is way more fun. I never understood why anyone thinks anything about Batman Begins is complex.
Batman Begins easily wins this. Captain America was so boring and shitty, i the 8 o clock show on opening day with 15 people. The two guys with Captain America shields enjoyed the movie and thats it lol.
I enjoyed Captain America more
on Apr 7
I like both, but I think Batman Begins is not only the best origins story, but arguably the best superhero film of the lot. I should be clear on this, that although I've rated TDK higher, I regard TDK as more of a social commentary on terrorism and anarchy with superheroes in it, rather than a pure superhero film, whereas BB focuses solely on the birth of the caped crusader himself. To say that BB doesn't stand up on it's own is being really harsh at best; I think it works perfectly well on its own and then some. Don't get me wrong though, while I like Nolan's films I don't consider myself a Nolanite, and I'll be the first to admit that the film has problems; the editing is atrocious, particularly in the fight scenes (it looks like a 12-year old Youtuber cut the film together on Windows Movie Maker while hooked up to an IV full of Lucozade), and while Wally Pfister's cinematography can be breathtaking in some scenes (as in all his movies), the combined camera work and editing in most of the action sequences would make Paul Greengrass's stomach churn. I also think that Scarecrow, one of the best villains in the Batman universe IMO, gets shafted in favour of Ra's al Ghul's new world order plan, which while morally interesting is technically ludicrous for a film which takes its "superhero science" seriously; "focused microwaves to vapourise the water supply" (and surely every human being in Gotham turned to a dry husk, thus negating the use of fear gas?), not to mention setting up for the arguably even more problematic motivation in TDKR. But as a film about Batman, I still think it's a fantastic turn for the better, and an admirable film in it's own right. Captain America was more in the "better than I expected, but not as good as it could have been" category, and feels less like a good standalone film and more like another segue to the Avengers film, but playing it much safer. It's as if Marvel had already said "yep, Iron Man worked, project Avengers is a go. Get the next few out production line style", which sounds worse than it is, but I feel that Captain America still doesn't stand up on its own, particularly in comparison to Iron Man. So Captain America was fun, but Batman Begins was a much higher calibre by far.
Batman wins with ease.
on Apr 12
Batman Begins is the more complete and captivating work. Nolan is a far better director than Joe Johnston.
