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THE GREY's Liam Neeson And Joe Carnahan Discuss Christopher Nolan's Batman Movies

Having worked together on both The A-Team and The Grey, Liam Neeson (Ra's Al Ghul in Batman Begins and possibly this year's The Dark Knight Rises) and director Joe Carnahan discuss Christopher Nolan's impact on the comic book movie world.

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By Josh Wilding - 1/27/2012


"He seems to have upped the ante quite a bit, hasn't he," Neeson said of Christopher Nolan's impact on the comic book movie genre in a recent interview with MTV News while promoting his latest movie The Grey alongside director Joe Carnahan. "He's made it dark and complex."

Carnahan added: "What Chris had to rescue, the doldrums from which he had to rescue the Batman franchise, were considerable. I mean, that's like diving down into the center of the Earth and pulling up [gold]. I just think he did a remarkable job of that. And the proof is in the pudding. Those movies are absolute character studies disguised as superhero films, which I think are great."

"That's a good description," Neeson agreed. "That was very good!"



The Grey is in theatres now and after seeing it earlier today, I definitely recommend checking it out this weekend. Liam Neeson takes on a pack of wolves. What's not to love?

Source: MTV Splash Page
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33 Comments
NeoBaggins - 1/27/2012, 11:35 AM
Very well said. The GREY is getting good reviews too. Checkin it out.
RedeyeJedi - 1/27/2012, 11:36 AM
I don't really care for most Carnahan's movies. That being said, I can't wait to see this one.
PaulRom - 1/27/2012, 11:38 AM
Looking forward to checking out The Grey. Wasn't sure at first, but it looks really good.
PaulRom - 1/27/2012, 11:38 AM
Also, I'm one of the few who really enjoyed The A-Team. Works well as a mindless action flick.
RedeyeJedi - 1/27/2012, 11:40 AM
I wish there was an edit button. I meant to say I can't wait to see The Grey.
finalattack - 1/27/2012, 11:42 AM
so this is the movie that shows how liam neeson's character turns into Raz al Guhl..cant wait haha.
Minghagz - 1/27/2012, 11:50 AM
This movie looks pretty cool, I'll be checking it out for sure.
headlopper - 1/27/2012, 12:03 PM
"Those movies are absolute character studies disguised as superhero films, which I think are great." - Joe Carnahan

That's the money quote.

EVERY CBM MUST FOLLOW THIS TEMPLATE!

The action is implicit.
The costumes are implicit.
The superpower's are implicit.

#2 in importance is a great screenplay.
#3: Solid , intelligent dialog and skilled actors.
IMHO
ironpool007 - 1/27/2012, 12:12 PM
The Grey could be a game changer
For Joe Carnahan.
AsianVersionOfET - 1/27/2012, 12:16 PM
Goin to see it this weekend! And that is an awesome quote!!! Christopher Nolan's Batman films will never be topped.
RyanLantern77 - 1/27/2012, 12:20 PM
Now I want pudding
PapaMidnight - 1/27/2012, 12:21 PM
Well said. Please anti-Nolan and marvelites, do not boycott this movie! LOL
catman - 1/27/2012, 12:25 PM
"the doldrums from which he had to rescue the Batman franchise, were considerable. I mean, that's like diving down into the center of the Earth and pulling up [gold]"

I don't know about that.. I mean yes after Batman (1989) things went downhill slowly and Batman and Robin was so bad that the series had to be saved, true but I don't know if I agree that Nolan's Bat movies are so damn great they are like gold at the centre of the earth...hmmm
Spidey91 - 1/27/2012, 12:27 PM
I loved the part of the trailer where Neeson goes Wolverine on the wolves' asses :P
checking the movie out,big fan of Liam Neeson
Bandrews1 - 1/27/2012, 12:35 PM
I've been hearing alot of good things about The Grey, and I'm a huge Liam Neeson fan, so I think I'll check it out tonight.
RyanLantern77 - 1/27/2012, 12:54 PM
Id like to see what David Fincher could do with Batman after TDKR
thewonderer - 1/27/2012, 1:23 PM
@Nomis

No, this is laughably wrong. Dent and Joker are the same people every scene (except for the obvious Dent becoming TF), this isn't bad as this is how they're in comics. WAYNE is the character who gets all the development. Wayne comes to understand the type of criminal Joker is, comes to realize that he can't do this forever, and comes to realize that as a symbol he can be immortal. Its incredible how TDK manages to fool everyone. Everyones all LIKE LEDGER OMG YEAHH. Me personally, I LOVED EVERYONE. In fact, I think the best parts of the film are the end and when Batman takes out the SWAT Team, both scenes Joker isn't in
LoudNoises - 1/27/2012, 1:42 PM
@thewonderer

Although it is a short scene, another great Batman moment in TDK was right after he thinks Gordon was shot and he busts into the techno night club and starts beating the shit out of everyone and then grabs Sal Maroni with one hand and lifts him out of his seat. I lost my shit when I saw that part for the first time.
Batman5 - 1/27/2012, 1:46 PM
cant wait to see this movie, prolly going tonight!
thewonderer - 1/27/2012, 1:48 PM
@LoudNoises

Yes!! and then Maroni's like "from one professional to another, this fall won't kill me" and then Batman goes "I'm counting on it" and drops him, gave me chills!! Man reminds me how Eric Robert's performance too was shamefully overlooked.

It really depresses me that people write off anything non Joker in TDK. I don't call them true Batman fans. In fact, I find Neeson just as good as Ledger, they both portrayed their characters to the maximum potential.
AlexDeLarge87 - 1/27/2012, 2:30 PM
Batman Begins is the best. The Dark Knight was entertaining but there was many things which i really didnt like.

About Carnahan...
Narc and Smokin Aces were good movies. The A-Team was fun and im definitely going to check out The Grey.
MrReese - 1/27/2012, 2:55 PM
Liam Neeson is a mutha[frick]in pimp!! He must come back.....he must :)
LoudNoises - 1/27/2012, 3:16 PM
For those who would say that TDK is all about the Joker and Harvey Dent...

Top 10 Best Batman Moments in TDK:

1. Batman plays a game of chicken with an 18 wheeler shooting cables into the ground and swerving around and under the trailer wrapping the cable around both the wheels and the street lamps which flips the 18 wheeler HEAD FIRST over onto its back.

2. Batman leaps from Hong Kong Skyscaper and soars around the lower building crashing through Lau's office window and proceeds to take out all Lau's men.

3.Batman takes out the entire swat team while protecting the doctors deguised as clowns. Specifically when he gets all the swat members tied together with their repelling robes and kicks the one guy off and they all slide off leaving them dangling.

4. Batman launches out of the Tumbler via Batpod seconds before Tumbler self destructs.

5.Batman's night club scene followed by dropping Sal from the fire escape.

6. Batman appearing out of nowhere behind the Joker when the lights are turned on inside the interrogation room and slamming Joker's head onto the table

7. Batman falls from the upper level in the parking garage and lands on top of the moving van with perfect timing.

8. Batman drives the tumbler directly into the dump truck and smashes the dump truck up into the top of the underpass.

9. The tumbler crashes through the parking garage destracting the criminals. Batman appears out of nowhere and uses a device on his hand to bend the end of one of their guns.

10. The ending scene when Batman is running from the cops during Gordon's voice naration and as he rides up the ramp into the light the screen goes black and says The Dark Knight. Perfect ending!
NeoBaggins - 1/27/2012, 3:51 PM
@Nomis My thoughts exactly. I often say that TDK is so big that Batman himself gets a little lost in the sauce. TDKR should bring things back to Batman/Wayne.

@thewonderer Very good points about Wayne's journey in the film.

And I agree that Ledger is not the only engaging character to watch. If you look at the casting in TDK, the quality of actor is good even below the immediate supporting cast. Many movies would just have anybody play the young cop with the wife in the hospital or the judge that gets blown away. But even those small role choices seem to be well thought out. I like the following supporters:

Sal Moroni
The Chechen
Lau
Gambol (And White is a terrible actor)
William Fichtner's Mob Banker
Batman with Hockey Pads
Detective who thought he was going to beat up the Joker.

@Paulrom I just knew A-TEAM was bullshit and that Expendables made it look like child's play. I rented it for kicks one night and I can honestly say I'd buy a ticket to a sequel.
Quasimodo - 1/27/2012, 4:21 PM
These are great films. Its just a shame that everyone wants to hold every single superhero movie up to the dark knight to compare. Even when the movies are vastly different. Thats just not right
nowtheresaBATman - 1/27/2012, 4:31 PM
Just watched Batman Begins again today....best CBM I've ever seen. TDK is 2nd w/ Thor TIH & Iron Man tied for 3rd.
antonio - 1/27/2012, 4:44 PM
This isnt the first Carnahan has praised the Nolan Batman films. I remember when Carnahan tweeted his thoughts last month about TDKR 2nd trailer:"Dark Knight Rises isn't going to be big, its going to create a scale of B.O. success i dont think Hwood has mapped out yet. Avatar included".
NeoBaggins - 1/27/2012, 5:27 PM
@nowtheresaBATman Nice ranking list.
antonio - 1/27/2012, 8:26 PM
That's is pretty [frick]ing pathetic even for you, Grif.
SuspenseSmith - 1/27/2012, 9:25 PM
That's nice Liam... WHY THE [frick] ARE YOU IN THE BATTLESHIP MOVIE!?!?!
EarOne - 1/28/2012, 3:43 AM
i like his A-Team. and is the original Smokin' Aces his? i like that one too.
AUSSYACE - 1/28/2012, 6:57 PM
Does anyone know why Bane is only wearing a mask that covers his mouth and nose only...

Surely this has to be explained in the movie...

Does he even have a nose or what...

Maybe it is skeletal under that mask...
balegirlbrazil - 1/29/2012, 7:27 AM
A-Team is awesome.
Should have a sequel.

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