Batman Begins

Theatrical Release Date: 2005 06 15 (USA - IMAX) / 2005 06 15 (USA)

UPC: 012569594159

Studio: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Children in Peril]

Summary: 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

Category: Action

Awards: Best British Supporting Actor – London Film Critics Association Best British Director – London Film Critics Association Best Stunts – Phoenix Film Critics Association Best Original Score – Chicago Film Critics Association Best Original Score – Chicago Film Critics Association Best Score – Online Film Critics Association Best Score – Online Film Critics Association Best Cinematography – American Society of Cinematographers Best Production Design – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Sound – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Sound – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Sound – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Visual Effects – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Visual Effects – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Visual Effects – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Art Direction - Period or Fantasy Film – Art Directors Guild Best Cinematography – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Features: cc [None specified]

Batman Begins

Format: DVD

Release Date: 10/18/2005

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cinemascope

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 140 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1 -- Batman Begins
1. You're Practice [3:38]
2. More Than Just a Man [3:51]
3. What Do You Fear? [4:02]
4. Tragedy [4:41]
5. The Will to Act [3:28]
6. This House [4:34]
7. Not One of Your Good People [4:05]
8. Carmine Falcone [3:00]
9. Embrace Your Fear [4:28]
10. Gotham Must Be Destroyed [2:30]
11. Monastery Mayhem [2:49]
12. Incorruptible Symbol [1:53]
13. Nest of Bats [3:49]
14. Welcome Home [2:45]
15. Applied Sciences [3:42]
16. Gordon's Visitor [2:28]
17. Does It Come in Black? [2:07]
18. Secrets of Scary People [5:29]
19. Rattle the Cages [2:21]
20. Missing Weapon [2:45]
21. More Inside [2:46]
22. Crane's Mask [1:53]
23. Do I Look Like a Cop? [2:56]
24. Lighten Up [3:34]
25. Work to Do [4:03]
26. Arkham's Basement Secrets [5:08]
27. Winged Backup [3:33]
28. Tumbler on the Roof [5:12]
29. This Monster of Yours [2:44]
30. Dual Identities [4:35]
31. Purging Fire [4:22]
32. Inferno Rescue [1:57]
33. Spread the Word: Panic [3:19]
34. What Defines Me [3:21]
35. Catching a Train [3:43]
36. Not Kill but Not Save [3:06]
37. New Owner [1:05]
38. This Is Your Mask [3:11]
39. Calling Card [1:38]
40. End Credits [9:04]

Jeremy Wheeler

The Dark Knight lives again with Batman Begins, a stunning big-screen reintroduction that resurrects a crippled franchise and does justice to the legacy of the dark Caped Crusader. Director Christopher Nolan and writer David Goyer boldly turn their backs on Burton's inspired gothic styling and Schumacher's gaudy odes to camp and instead weave the character into a convincing modern world that acts as an enticing base for what's to come. Though the design might seem a bit jarring, the pair sells it all thanks to the grounded context they've laid out; it doesn't hurt that the flick is a virtual who's who of Hollywood, with heavyweights lending their credibility to each role as this new universe is established for the crime fighter. Batman himself is one mean, angry machine, played to a hilt by Christian Bale. While the character's voice has its on-and-off moments, for the most part, Bale delivers a solid study of the vigilante billionaire. Supporting him effortlessly in their roles are such stalwarts as Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Liam Neeson, who shine in an abundance of solid performances. And while easily the weakest link the otherwise top-notch cast, the young Katie Holmes surely handles one of the most poignant lines in reference to who and what Bruce Wayne really is; just one moment out of many that nails the core of what makes the mythos tick. In fact, the results are downright frightening at times, adding to the excitement of how different this version feels. For everything it does right, the movie does have a few shortfalls, starting with the furiously edited action scenes. While Nolan tried to capture the criminal's confusion, far too often the close flashes of breathless cuts overload on too much visual chaos for the audience to register. Some have fault with the music as well, with both James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer collaborating on an eclectic score that features no driving superhero theme (though one was originally written). In their defense, this isn't the kind of rousing piece of work that deserves that kind of pageantry, nor should its exclusion take away from their otherwise superlative work. DC Comics finally has a film worthy of Marvel's most successful theatrical outings, and if this and the zinger that's at the end of the movie is any indication, there's plenty more good stuff on the way. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: David S. Goyer  Screenwriter 
James Newton Howard  Composer (Music Score) 
Charles Roven  Producer 
Michael E. Uslan  Executive Producer 
Hans Zimmer  Composer (Music Score) 
Benjamin Melniker  Executive Producer 
Christopher Nolan  Director 
Christopher Nolan  Screenwriter 
Emma Thomas  Producer 
Larry Franco  Producer 
Christian Bale  Actor 
Liam Neeson  Actor 
Katie Holmes  Actor 
Gary Oldman  Actor 
Cillian Murphy  Actor 
Tom Wilkinson  Actor 
Rutger Hauer  Actor 
Ken Watanabe  Actor 
Mark Boone, Jr.  Actor 
Linus Roache  Actor 
Morgan Freeman  Actor 
Gus Lewis  Actor 
Michael Caine  Actor 
Larry Holden  Actor 
Sara Stewart  Actor 
Richard Brake  Actor 

Country: USA