Starting Strong
Why ‘Batman Begins’ is the best of the batch
Although it is overshadowed by its sequel, “The Dark Knight,” my favorite Batman movie is “Batman Begins.”
“The Dark Knight” mostly gets remembered for Heath Ledger’s dynamic performance as the Joker, which netted him a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar, something unheard of for comic book movies.
“The Dark Knight” also happens to be a really good movie with an intricate plot and snappy writing and lively characters. But I still prefer “Batman Begins.”
My reasons for this are simple and occasionally subjective. For instance, Liam Neeson is one of my favorite actors, and seeing him play the insidious Ra’s al-Ghul is a tremendous cinematic thrill.
But beyond that, I like “Batman Begins” more, because it does most of the work in establishing the characters “The Dark Knight” utilizes so well.
“Batman Begins” shows us Bruce Wayne’s journey from troubled orphan to vigilante in a way that makes us forget the insane implausibility of the entire process. We see him grow not just into a superhero, but also into a good man with a strong moral compass.
“The Dark Knight” works so well because it tests that moral compass, but to be entirely honest, there will never be a Batman movie where Batman goes evil. What tension the movie has comes from clever plot twists and the question of how Bruce Wayne will overcome his anarchic nemesis. “Batman Begins,” however, is a character study of Bruce Wayne and fascinates viewers by showing his growth and his failures.
In other words, “Batman Begins” feels like a Batman movie, because it explains why the character resonates with so many people.
It shows us Batman’s conviction to save every life he can, even if that life belongs to somebody as murderous as the Joker. It shows us why Batman is a superhero, even though he has no superhuman abilities. Batman does good the way we imagine we would, if we had unlimited resources and no social responsibilities.
And he never, ever gives in.
If I have any quibble with “Batman Begins,” it is that, at the film’s climax, Batman lets Ra’s al-Ghul die in the train, rather than saving him. There are numerous incarnations of Batman throughout the comics, but I argue that this inaction is against the spirit of the character, just as the idea Batman would “retire” in the third film is preposterous. Batman is justice incarnate, but he is a merciful manifestation.
Despite the movie’s flaws, of “The Dark Knight Trilogy,” “Batman Begins” best captures this aspect of the caped crusader. Regardless of your own film preferences, it is easy to see that 75 years with any pop culture franchise is a big deal. I can only hope the next 75 are just as good to him; he certainly deserves it.
