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Batman Begins turns 15 - The return of the Dark Knight to the screen

By

Sean P. Aune

·

on Batman Begins turns 15 - The return of the Dark Knight to the screen

It's hard to believe anyone ever had any trepidation about how good Batman Begins would be, but you all have to remember where we were coming from.

When it was announced that a live-action Batman was coming back to theaters, the general consensus seemed to be, "oh no...". To be fair, the last time we had dealt with a live-action Caped Crusader had been in 1997 with Batman & Robin. It would be hard to argue that some hesitation was indeed in order with that in mind.

Add in what was a fairly unknown director at the time and the guy from American Psycho playing Batman, and you can see why the fear kept building. Then the footage arrived, and things were definitely looking up.

Christopher Nolan definitely crafter a heck of a trilogy, and we owe it all to Batman Begins hitting general release on June 15, 2005. And as we acknowledge this occasion, we sit here crossing our fingers for the launch of Robert Pattinson into this beloved role, but we can look back fondly at the Dark Knight trilogy for years to come.

This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com

49 comments

  1. Seb Avatar
    Seb

    Still my favorite Batman movie to date. If Reeves' movie is even half as good, I'll be satisfied.

    1. V3geta Avatar
      V3geta

      Reeves definitely has massive shoes to fill. I'm not expecting his movies to be better, as that's expecting too much, but they need to be really good to live up to Nolan's legacy.

      1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
        ItzSilentStorm

        i think his movie will be great in its own way

      2. Kara Avatar
        Kara

        I think Rises was pretty bad.

    2. mr nobody Avatar
      mr nobody

      I'm hoping a movie so different, it shouldn't be compared. Just like previous movies are their own, different thing, I hope Reeves does something very new and unique.
      I'll give Snyder that he at least tried and made him his own as well.

      1. Seb Avatar
        Seb

        But I do feel there's a fine line between "making it your own" and just "making it different" for the sake of it... that's what I feel Snyder got completely wrong. He changed Batman to the point that his version didn't actually resemble the source material in any way (in terms of personality and philosophy... we all know Snyder does care a great deal about the "look"). That's what I think Nolan absolutely nailed. Sure, he made it different and made it his own: dark, but extremely realistic and grounded for a comic book movie, but it worked and it's still by far the most accurate adaptation we've gotten so far. That's also why his take is so easy to love (and his approach also made it more mature). I do fear that Reeves will take it too far... with the weird a** cowl/look, and the comments made by Michael Giacchino on Reeves' behalf... Idk, it almost seems like they're going for a more "Aranofsky" kind of take on Batman, and that's about the last thing I want to see ever. I'd seriously prefer to see psycho BvS Batfleck over whatever Aranofsky had in mind.
        Honestly, if Reeves respects the basic Batman mythos/philosophy (as in, the no-kill rule, his mindset, his mental strength, etc... but also his physical prowess & symbol of fear, which seems to be absolutely lacking in every possible way from what we've seen) then I'm good. He could change the rest all he likes, I'm game. It's why I didn't mind the changes Nolan did, b/c he respected those core principles... I just hope Reeves does the same.

    3. Kara Avatar
      Kara

      Mine is B89 then BB.

      1. jrox Avatar
        jrox

        Wow me too

  2. aleks_989 Avatar
    aleks_989

    I remember when I first watched it, I just knew that this kind of tone and vision so close to what the embodiment of Batman is has never been done before. Thank you Christopher Nolan !

  3. V3geta Avatar
    V3geta

    It's such a shame this movie gets overshadowed by its 2 sequels, as it's just as good, and arguably more influential on the genre as a whole. Although it did great on home video, it definitely deserved more than 375 million at the box office.

    1. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
      NinjaGamer13

      I don't think many people put rises above begins.

      1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
        ItzSilentStorm

        Rises is a lot more well known and iconic

        1. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
          NinjaGamer13

          I disagree. The films are equally well known, and if Rises is more iconic it isn't because of the film, but Bane's voice.

  4. Thanasis Avatar
    Thanasis

    Best live action movie about Batman. Second best Batman movie.

    1. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
      NinjaGamer13

      First being Under the Red Hood, of course.

      1. Drake Grayson Avatar
        Drake Grayson

        I love UtRH. But Mask of Phantasm is damn near flawless as a Batman film.

        1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
          ItzSilentStorm

          Mask is my favorite original batman movie. This one is probably second after that

        2. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
          NinjaGamer13

          Honestly I think MotP is overrated. It plays like an extended episode of TAS. It's not bad, but it doesn't hold a candle to UtRH. The latter is a much more complex movie that better showcases multiple aspects of Batman.

      2. Thanasis Avatar
        Thanasis

        Great movie but I think there are better animated Batman movies.

        1. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
          NinjaGamer13

          There isn't though. Not IMO.

          No other animated Batman movie captures his compassion, detective skill, shows his world, relationships, angst, and martial arts/combat skills, or gets as deep into his head as UtRH.

  5. Hunter Zolomon Avatar
    Hunter Zolomon

    Easily the best Batman film out there, The Dark Knight is a better film and is my favourite film but as a film about Batman and Bruce Wayne no other film can match Begins. Bale is incredible in this, Neeson is a great as his mentor and as the main villain and Scarecrow while not a deep villain does have an amazing creepy mask and i loved how Nolan shot the fear scenes with him. Even now in the Arkham games i still try to mimic that perfect Docks scene where Bats is this primal force of nature stalking and taking out his prey, the "WHERE ARE YOU!!!!" and Bats quiet "here" reply is just amazing.

  6. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf Avatar
    Flower & Monster & Golden Calf

    I remember this movie going under the radar when it was in theaters. Most people caught it on DvD, etc.. paved the way to Dark Knight. The Schumaker Batman movies really had an effect.

  7. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
    NinjaGamer13

    Easily the best live action Batman movie. It has it's flaws, but one of the things it gets right is not turning him into a serial murderer while he works out his anger issues.

    Who knew that's the Batman we would be talking about 15 years later after we got this amazing reboot?

    1. Drake Grayson Avatar
      Drake Grayson

      To be fair, Nolan’s Bruce wore the costume a couple nights and the film ended a day after his 30th bday. Snyder’s Bruce was 45 and had worn the costume for 20 years. Firing machine guns from vehicles can kill just like firing missiles from vehicles. I doubt even Nolan’s Bruce would lose sleep over village slaughtering, human trafficking mercenaries aiming to burn a woman alive.
      I know you hate Snyder. And that’s fine. So does my best friend. We get into it over CB movies a lot. I just think it’s unfair to compare the very different versions of Bruce. Keaton smiled like a psychopath before he blew up Penguin’s strong man. I don’t see a lot of hatred for his Bruce.

      1. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
        NinjaGamer13

        I don't see the issue in comparing different versions of the character. Wearing the costume for 20 years isn't an excuse to start killing. For any version of the character to do that is almost as bad as Halle Berry's Catwoman. FWIW I strongly dislike the Keaton version also.

        1. Drake Grayson Avatar
          Drake Grayson

          Ok. Understandable. I just know you sound real excited for Reeves’ version, and there’s a chance he might have some kills throughout his trilogy. I hope that doesn’t ruin it for you. I actually have Bale’s kill count a little higher than Affleck’s, but neither bothered me. I also think Bale got lucky when he flattened a cop car and they were still able to use the radio in the next scene. And thank god Gotham reinforced those roofs.

          1. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
            NinjaGamer13

            I hope Reeve's film won't have kills, but if it does it's just par for the cause. I can still like parts of it like I do with Nolan's films, but honestly I had issues with them as well. I'm a huge Batman fan, and every-time there is a movie I get excited we might finally get an accurate portrayal of the character that focuses on more than just the superficial stuff. I've been disappointed every-time so far.

            I don't like a lot about Nolan's Batman, but the difference between his Batman and Batfleck's is that care was put in to develop his version and show that he kills very much as a last resort, as opposed out of convenience.

            Curious how you could have Nolan's kill counter greater than Batfleck. Pretty sure Batfleck has him beat by an order of magnitude or two.

          2. Drake Grayson Avatar
            Drake Grayson

            I only base my feeling off of what I’ve read, and I could be 100% wrong, but my guess is Reeves finally gives us the adept detective with his 192 IQ... but that might be the only comic accurate part of his character. I think he’s gonna delve into the scarred psychosis and reach darker elements of his personality while hitting a realism to surrealism ratio that lands somewhere between Nolan and Burton. Earth One seems to be a solid reference point too, so his costume, abilities and mistakes might fall in line with that version. There will definitely be a political nature to the story as well, but I don’t think it will be quite on the nose and in your face like Rises. I’m excited for the detective, but I’m pumping brakes on us getting a Loeb, Dini, Waid or Morrison understanding of the character.

          3. NinjaGamer13 Avatar
            NinjaGamer13

            Interesting, I don't think I've read as much as you have. Hopefully we will get a take on the character like the authors you mentioned. If not...I just hope it's good. I am open to alternative takes, as long as they are well done, which Keaton and Snyder's takes were not. It's probably why I'm able to give Nolan more of a break.

          4. Kara Avatar
            Kara

            That’s what i want!

  8. Drake Grayson Avatar
    Drake Grayson

    Paid to watch it 3 times in the theater and bought the dvd on the first day it went on sale. Neither are actions I’m prone to, especially since I was in college and low on money at the time. I still remember getting goosebumps from the last line, “And you’ll never have to...” That’s how you end a film.

  9. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
    ItzSilentStorm

    my personal favorite from the trilogy. Better voice, better costume(even if it looks a tad cheesy by today's standards), better depiction of Gotham(this one is huge for me), Arkham Aslyum is actually in it, and just all around more comic booky imo. Its not the best movie in the trilogy imo, and its not as ambitious as the other two, but it's still my favorite

    1. Tom Avatar
      Tom

      It was a shame they ditched the Gotham design in later films. I do wonder why they did that.

    2. Kara Avatar
      Kara

      I think it’s more ambitious than the sequels.

    3. K_Man399 Avatar
      K_Man399

      I think the suit is still the best even by today’s standards. I thought TDK suit looked cool in motion (looks odd in some photographs) but it didn’t give off the powerful presence of the Begins suit. I also think the Begins suit is more intimidating than the BvS suit tbh. He looked more like an imposing, shadowy figure regardless of Batfleck looking more jacked because of the muscle padding. All-black looks much better for live action imo.

  10. mr nobody Avatar
    mr nobody

    I understand the general audience loving TDK, but as a true batman fan, I'd be surprised if this wasn't your favorite Batman movie.
    To me it is the best ever, by fay. It's not missing anything imo.
    And the Batsuit is, as well, the most underrated. Again, by fa my favorite batsuit.

    1. Kara Avatar
      Kara

      Even with the double chin and bulging flabby rubber?

      1. mr nobody Avatar
        mr nobody

        You talking about Affleck?

    2. Bruce Vader Avatar
      Bruce Vader

      I'm a sucker for origins, so begins is my favorite of the trilogy, even though The Dark Knight is way bigger. I actually saw Begins after TDK.

      1. mr nobody Avatar
        mr nobody

        wow, that's crazy that you saw them in that order

    3. Hunter Zolomon Avatar
      Hunter Zolomon

      The Dark Knight is my favourite film, Begins is my favourite Batman film. In the sequels the villains are the stars with Joker and Bane stealing the films from Bats but in Begins its very much Bats film.

  11. Cypher Avatar
    Cypher

    Give it 10 more years and then get Nolan and Bale back and do their version of The Dark Knight Returns.

  12. Mrjc Avatar
    Mrjc

    I remember being 17, watching this on my own in the cinema during the day when it was quiet. No expectations, not even a trailer seen. It blew me away. Those were the days.

  13. Kara Avatar
    Kara

    Look at all the rubber bulging and folding under Bales’s chin and arm!
    Say what you will about the lack of mobility on the older suits, but at least they always looked bad ass.

  14. Kara Avatar
    Kara

    In my opinion this is the best of the nolan batman trilogy. Each film is worse than the last.

  15. K_Man399 Avatar
    K_Man399

    I still remember seeing the teaser and the posters and thought to myself this is a Batman unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. It was the only film to actually explain Bruce’s motivation to become BATMAN, not just by showing his parents get killed and showed his training and the formation of the Batman persona. The film was not only dark and gritty but also had a lot of heart. It definitely reignited my love for the character.

  16. j.k.2023 Avatar
    j.k.2023

    Underrated.

  17. jrox Avatar
    jrox

    MY best to worst
    1.TDK 2.BR 3.B89 4.BB 5.BVS 6.TDKR 7.JL 8.BF 9.B&R

  18. AnonymousHero Avatar
    AnonymousHero

    So ironic! I watched Batman Begins two nights ago, June 15, not realizing it was the 15th Anniversary! No lie, no joke, hadn't seen this article to know that...... wow, I could not write that coincidence. The love for Bats has always been strong with me. Deep rooted from a child. Bats is tops in my book. Supes 2nd. Don't let the avatar "S" on the chest fool you.

    And Bale, best Bruce Wayne/Batman to date. When talking about sides and aspects of the character and their principles, Bale has come the closest in cinema to who Batman is. Nolan really did so well blending his take of Hollywoodisms with the Bat history and canon. Some of the shots feel rushed at times. Sometimes, you wish he'd pull back the camera so we can see all the amazing fighting scenes and not have everything feel so tight and compact and like a blur. But Bale had the look, the perfect height, the overall complete commitment.... the guy deserves WAY more kudos than he gets among the comic book fandom for his incredible work. The voice may have been all over the place at times in the movie, but the perfect moments are truly perfect. And there are several. Great movie with epic feel.

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com