Batman Begins

Name: Batman Begins
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: June 15, 2005
Duration: 140 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Christian Bale, Ken Watanabe, Michael Caine

2005

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 2840 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 2840 Ratings

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Batman Begins

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: June 15, 2005 | PG-13

Starring: Christian Bale, Ken Watanabe, Michael Caine

Summary: Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. [Warner Bros.]

Director: Christopher Nolan

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 140 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Lawrence Toppman

For the first time since "X-Men," I was on the edge of my seat anticipating a sequel, wondering who'd play the Joker and how quickly Nolan - it must be Nolan! - can bring the next chapter of this story to the screen. Read full review

William Arnold

Technically, the film is consistently impressive. It creates a grimly gothic vision of a crime-ridden and depression-ravaged Gotham City, a dandy pair of chase sequences involving the new generation Batmobile and a range of innovative visual effects. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Batman Begins emerges from the darkness and leaves a powerful, lasting impression. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Batman Begins is a mature take on material often relegated to the kiddie file, and it's simply the latest proof that, when treated properly, comic books are a viable art form for all ages. Bring on the sequel. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Batman Begins summons up moments of great eloquence and power. If only its cast of characters was as fully inhabited as its turbulent city.

Michael Atkinson

Nolan and his co-screenwriter David Goyer can only press the big buttons so hard—it's still an old-school superhero summer movie, the plotting tortuous, the characters relegated to one-scene-one-emotion simplicity, the digitized action a never ending club mix of chases and mano a manos. Read full review

Dallas Observer Robert Wilonsky

Even if there were a great movie here, it would have been undermined by two lead actors who are barely even there, asked to deliver lines they can't handle: Bale, playing the Batman with clipped wings, and Katie Holmes as an assistant district attorney who doesn't have the gravitas to pass as an intern. Come back, Alicia Silverstone; all is forgiven. Read full review

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User Reviews

Dontel

Feb 14, 2006

One of the best movies of any Genre in about 3 years i thought a good story was obsolete in movies but this proved me wrong.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

alejandro970

Jun 10, 2018

Excels the job done by Tim Burton and Michael Keaton, and rub out the memory of fiasco Batman & Robin with a refreshned, more introspective, dark and psychological profile of how and why Bruce Wayne become the dark knight. Remarkable cast of actors and score by Hans Zimmer.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

tbagurdrumset94

Mar 4, 2011

I have not watched all of the Batman movies, so I can't really compare this triumph to the other films. I will say this: I was only able to stomach about 15 minutes of Batman Forever (the Schwarzenegger one) so... I guess it's safe to say that this one kicked the other's hind quarters...I have not watched all of the Batman movies, so I can't really compare this triumph to the other films. I will say this: I was only able to stomach about 15 minutes of Batman Forever (the Schwarzenegger one) so... I guess it's safe to say that this one kicked the other's hind quarters... pretty hard if I may add. The film is dark, edgy and well acted. The plot is good (not groundbreaking, but it really holds your attention). You will never be bored... or annoyed, like in Batman Forever. The best performances come from the effortless class of Michael Caine as Alfred, Cillian Murphy as the cold Dr. Crane and Liam Neeson as the main villain, Henri Ducard.… Expand

35 of 45 users found this helpful3510

forestville

Mar 24, 2013

After the euphoria of Tim Burton's Batman in 1989, the series began encounter when fashion designer and then director Joel Schumacher took over, first with a mediocre Batman Forever, and Batman and Robin universally repudiated (1997), where the character string returned to play the camp TVAfter the euphoria of Tim Burton's Batman in 1989, the series began encounter when fashion designer and then director Joel Schumacher took over, first with a mediocre Batman Forever, and Batman and Robin universally repudiated (1997), where the character string returned to play the camp TV series of 1966. Roger Moore as James Bond and took him into a cartoon, after succession occurred with Timothy Dalton and a stoic interpretation on the same wavelength as the expeditious Sean Connery and people turned away. The public had become accustomed to a new facet of the character and repudiated the return to their sources (or the general idea that previously existed on the character). If Batman and Robin would have been the first film of 1989, may not have generated much rejection (was more in line with what you remember from the Adam West series). But I used (and fascinated) with Burton's dark vision, just became the worst sacrilege that he could make the character, and the series went into a freezer which take years to emerge.
But Christopher Nolan majestual managed to save this doomed series.
Certainly the combination is more than interesting. First, Goyer and Nolan decide counting from zero overcast history, even with sagging elements of continuity with Burton's films.
Second, is the epic view. Not only do we see the origin of Bruce Wayne Batman, but its evolution.
The story is beautifully told, The origin of the character is totally brilliant but the film begins to falter a bit when Wayne is now Batman. Especially the lack of true brilliance of his villains: the Scarecrow is simply a psychopathic killer, whose origin is unknown. Ra's Al Ghul that the comic was an immortal is blurred, lacking depth or greater, perhaps, as the focus of the script indicates, is profiled secondary mode, so as not to steal the overcast scene. Maybe Carmine Falcone is, in his brief, most brilliant, cynical and sinister villains disguised. In if the story is not quite good and is still the subject of children but the performances are superb, and certainly Christian Bale is the definitive Batman. The score is excellent, somehow, Batman leaves his scientific side, relegating it to a new character as Lucius Fox, the relationship with childhood sweetheart, played by Katie Holmes, is warm, the villains plan is in a sense recycling plan of the first Batman Joker. But they are very minor flaws compared to the density, brilliance and excellence of the film.
It is the beginning of an epic new era, that of a gentleman, a vigilante protector, a dark knight. You must see it.
My Score: 9.3… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Robwinz

Apr 19, 2020

This movie is just amazing with an amazing story and really well developed characters in this movie. Also, Batman/Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is amazing playing the role of Batman he gives a brilliant performance and you really do feel bad for his character throughout the start of the movieThis movie is just amazing with an amazing story and really well developed characters in this movie. Also, Batman/Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is amazing playing the role of Batman he gives a brilliant performance and you really do feel bad for his character throughout the start of the movie and even more into the movie. The fights which Batman has throughout this movie are pretty good and most of them hold up pretty well for a 2005 movie I must say, theres the odd bit of cgi which doesn't hold up during a later fight but apart from that they're pretty fun to watch. Bruce Wayne and Alfred (Michael Caine) have some really good chemistry with each other when they're on set together which is really good. Finally, Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) is a really good villain in this movie some of the effects can be quite mixed in my opinion, some of them are quite good and some of them are quite outdated. Almost forgetting to mention, Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson) he's also really good in this movie and to be totally honest most of the actors/actress do an amazing job in this movie. Overall, it's an amazing action packed movie with some brilliant fight scenes with an amazing story and characters, worth the watch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

sinadoom

Dec 23, 2014

Compared to the other two films in the trilogy this holds up quite well. It's much more enjoyable and understandable to watch this after seeing some Batman films or playing through the Arkham series of games. As an origins story for how Batman came to be, it does an excellent job in terms ofCompared to the other two films in the trilogy this holds up quite well. It's much more enjoyable and understandable to watch this after seeing some Batman films or playing through the Arkham series of games. As an origins story for how Batman came to be, it does an excellent job in terms of the pacing, direction and story. It doesn't feel like it drags on unnecessarily but provides fairly deep character development. What's more impressive is how this film manages to convey Batman's dual identity and the issues revolving around it alongside a typical Batman story which manages to be exciting despite the lack of an iconic villain. If you've played the Arkham games, you will be shocked by how pathetically lame Scarecrow is in this film but the direction, soundtrack and acting on the whole make up for it. If you like Batman, this is definitely worth seeing.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Liz

Oct 18, 2005

Boring, pointless, and stupid, my little cousin almost had a heart attack seeing it.

0 of 7 users found this helpful

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4	#4 Most Discussed Movie of 2005
8	#8 Most Shared Movie of 2005