Batman Begins (2005)
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85% of critics liked it
(265 reviews) -
90% of users liked it
(969,838 ratings)
The origins of the Caped Crusader of Gotham City are finally brought to the big screen in this new adaptation of the perennially popular comic-book series. The young Bruce Wayne (Gus Lewis) leads a privileged life as the son of wealthy, philanthropist parents, both of whom stress their commitment to… More The origins of the Caped Crusader of Gotham City are finally brought to the big screen in this new adaptation of the perennially popular comic-book series. The young Bruce Wayne (Gus Lewis) leads a privileged life as the son of wealthy, philanthropist parents, both of whom stress their commitment to improving the lives of the citizens of crime-ridden Gotham City. After his mother and father are murdered by a mugger, however, Wayne grows into an impudent young man (Christian Bale), full of rage and bent on retribution until encouraged by his childhood sweetheart, Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), to search for answers beyond his own personal vendettas. Wayne eventually finds discipline in the Far East under the tutelage of Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows who guides him in the study of martial arts -- and the ways in which an ordinary man can hone his senses to an almost superhuman acuity. After seven years away from Gotham, Wayne returns, determined to bring peace and safety back to the city. With the help of his faithful manservant, Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a scientist at his late father's corporation, Wayne develops a secret identity as Batman, a masked fighter for justice. But when a shady psychiatrist (Cillian Murphy) joins forces with the criminal underworld, Wayne realizes that putting an end to their nefarious plans will be very difficult indeed. Batman Begins also features Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon and Tom Wilkinson as the crime boss Carmine Falcone. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Christopher Nolan
- Written By
- David S. Goyer, Christopher Nolan
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Jun 15, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Christy Lemire, Associated Press
Nolan takes an admirable stab at developing a character-driven drama, only to give in to generic action-movie conventions with a blinding, deafening, explosion-laden finale that could have capped off any number of interchangeable Jerry Bruckheimer flicks.
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Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
Batman Begins summons up moments of great eloquence and power. If only its cast of characters was as fully inhabited as its turbulent city.
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
It's not just the birth of Batman we're seeing in this triumphant interpretation, it's also the dawning of Gotham City's age of greed.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Here's how any great franchise should start: with care, precision and delicately wrought atmosphere.
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Ken Tucker, New York Magazine
A nonstarter.
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Cast
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Christian Bale
as Batman/Bruce Wayne
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Liam Neeson
as Henri Ducard
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Katie Holmes
as Rachel Dawes
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Gary Oldman
as Jim Gordon
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Cillian Murphy
as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow
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Tom Wilkinson
as Carmine Falcone
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Rutger Hauer
as Earle
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Ken Watanabe
as Ra's Al Ghul
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Mark Boone Jr.
as Flass
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Linus Roache
as Thomas Wayne
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Morgan Freeman
as Lucius Fox
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Gus Lewis
as Bruce Wayne (age 8)
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Michael Caine
as Alfred Pennyworth
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Sara Stewart
as Martha Wayne
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Larry Holden
as D.A. Fisk
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Richard Brake
as Joe Chill
- Mark Boone Junior








