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.
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