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Batman Begins [HD DVD] | ![Batman Begins [HD DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mn75SmfJL._SL500_.jpg)
| Actors: Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $28.99
Buy Used: $13.49
You Save: $15.50 (53%)
New (23) Used (14) Collectible (1) from $13.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  1132 reviews
Sales Rank: 341
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: HD DVD
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 140
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 6.6 x 5.2 x 0.2
MPN: 80924
UPC: 012569809246
EAN: 0012569809246
ASIN: B000E1MTY0
Theatrical Release Date: June 15, 2005
Release Date: October 10, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Warner Brothers Batman Begins - HD-DVD
The origins of the CapedCrusader 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 sonof 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 safetyback 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.
Amazon.com
Batman Begins discards the previous four films in the series and recasts the Caped Crusader as a fearsome avenging angel. That's good news, because the series, which had gotten off to a rousing start under Tim Burton, had gradually dissolved into self-parody by 1997's Batman & Robin. As the title implies, Batman Begins tells the story anew, when Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) flees Western civilization following the murder of his parents. He is taken in by a mysterious instructor named Ducard (Liam Neeson in another mentor role) and urged to become a ninja in the League of Shadows, but he instead returns to his native Gotham City resolved to end the mob rule that is strangling it. But are there forces even more sinister at hand? Co-written by the team of David S. Goyer (a veteran comic book writer) and director Christopher Nolan (Memento), Batman Begins is a welcome return to the grim and gritty version of the Dark Knight, owing a great debt to the graphic novels that preceded it. It doesn't have the razzle dazzle, or the mass appeal, of Spider-Man 2 (though the Batmobile is cool), and retelling the origin means it starts slowly, like most "first" superhero movies. But it's certainly the best Bat-film since Burton's original, and one of the best superhero movies of its time. Bale cuts a good figure as Batman, intense and dangerous but with some of the lightheartedness Michael Keaton brought to the character. Michael Caine provides much of the film's humor as the family butler, Alfred, and as the love interest, Katie Holmes (Dawson's Creek) is surprisingly believable in her first adult role. Also featuring Gary Oldman as the young police officer Jim Gordon, Morgan Freeman as a Q-like gadgets expert, and Cillian Murphy as the vile Jonathan Crane. --David Horiuchi Batman at Amazon.com 
All Batman DVDs | 
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All Batman Comics and Graphic Novels | 
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Batman Begins Soundtrack | Stills from Batman Begins (click for larger images)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1127 more reviews...
 Underappreciated film, may get another look with new DK film July 23, 2008
I think this film has been under appreciated because it is not a traditional action film or superhero film. It is a hero's journey, as in the old times. Like most such journeys, the protagonist is thrown into the situation by circumstances beyond his control. But, the journey is of his own making.
Teens may not like it as much because it explores the broader themes of law, justice, ends justifying the means (or not), and what it really means to be good vs. evil. It does not do this just from a few tossed off lines (such as the new DK movie does), but through the story arc itself. Hopefully some will understand better the ambiguity of our governmental actions around the world and the difficulties of trying to balance safety/security against freedom/rights.
Really worth seeing.
Master Your Fear July 23, 2008
The Good Things
*Some good action scenes, especially at the end. Special effects are very unique.
*Excellent filming style and cinematography. It's a little choppy and weird, but also very detailed and vivid. Also very dark, moody, and realistic.
*Storyline is great, and makes perfect sense as long as you pay attention.
*Less emphasis on outlandish bad guys and gadgets and stuff and greater emphasis on fighting crime on the streets and doing actual police-type work.
*What gadgets Batman does have are realistically introduced. There is a logical explanation for everything he has and where it all came from.
*Characters are phenomenal. Bruce Wayne's evolution from a fightened boy to a hardened fear-inspiring crime fighter is very convincing and deep. Acting is good.
*In conjunction with the characterizations, this movie also has very strong themes about fear, destiny, and human preserverance. This film was way heavier than I would have ever thought.
*Excellent music.
The Bad Things
*A little slow for the first hour or so.
*Some fight scenes are so choppy and fastly-cut that they are hard to really see (but it is a more intense style).
*If you're looking for the classic campy Batman, this is definately not it. May be too dark and serious for some people (but this is probably more closer to what Batman was originally like).
This is the darkest, deepest, most serious version of Batman yet. It is also closer to what Batman should really be like, and above all, has some very deep meaning in the character that I would have never caught onto before (Bruce using his own fear to instill fear into others; fear is a very strong theme throughout). It is surprisingly complex, but the dialogue and acting makes it all very understandable. And of course, the plot is great and ties everything together into one complete circle. Combined with a strong visual style, this is definately one of the best superhero movies made to date.
If they keep this up, I seriously hope that they will turn the "Knightfall" comics into a movie too...
All versions of this movie have good video and audio quality (great on Blu-ray, naturally). The one-disc version has a trailer. The two-disc has a bunch of featurettes and a funny MTV movie awards skit. The Blu-ray disc has all of the same plus the first six minutes of the "Dark Knight" (filmed with an IMAX camera!).
blu-ray was awesome!!!! July 23, 2008
Pure bliss in this blu-ray release. The movie was already solid, but the high def transfer is one of the best out there!
 Good movie plus it will help you understand the dark knight. July 21, 2008
this film has great action and good acting and a great plot. the makings of a great movie another reason to get this movie is it will explain things for the new movieThe Dark Knight [Theatrical Release]this movie is awsome and both go together perfect so if you want to see the dark knight you should see this movie batman begins.
A Triumphant Masterpiece July 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
8 Years after the abortion of Batman & Robin, Christopher Nolan decided that he must bring back the dignity of Batman. In order to do that, he must forget anything even portrayed in the previous films. He must recreate the character and place him in a real world where everything isn't just cheesy puns and costumes with nipples. He did all that, and more with the help of some of one of the best movie actors today. Christian Bale, in my view can play almost any role but even I had my doubts about his ability to play the Batman. My worries were quashed when seeing the almost destroyed soul of Bruce Wayne portrayed brilliantly in the very first scene. My review will be separated into three sections, which I do for most movies that give me a lot to talk about. Those three sections are the story, the characters and the review.
The Story: One day whilst playing with his friend Rachel, a young Bruce Wayne falls down a well disturbing a swarm of bats. The bats become the ultimate fear of Bruce's and eventually become his inspiration for wanting to strike the fear in others. While at the opera, Bruce asks his parents can they leave. After leaving through the back of the theatre, Bruce and his parents are encountered by a thief wielding a gun. His parents are shot which leaves Bruce angry, bitter and out for revenge. Through a series of events Bruce ends up in the Far East. He is approached by a man named Ducard (Neeson) who's employed by the ninja cult leader, Ra's Al Ghul. Ducard approaches Bruce with an offer to teach him how to fight and to overcome his fears. Bruce accepts the offer of Ducard. We are taken through the training sessions and given a further insight into the tortured soul that is Bruce Wayne. Bruce eventually finds his way home and endeavours to rid Gotham City of the criminal underworld. He must find a symbol which would help strike the same fear into the criminals that the bats did to him. The Bat becomes his symbol and with the help of Alfred (Caine) and Lucius Fox (Freeman), Wayne starts to put together the first bat suit. There is corruption within the police force thanks to mob boss Carmine Falcone (Wilkinson). Falcone employs the help of psychologist Dr. Jonathan Crane (Murphy) who finds Falcone's men clinically insane in order to prevent them going to jail. Falcone can't trust Crane, however, as we find he's employed by someone else and is producing an inhalant toxin which strikes fear into those who inhale it. Crane, when spraying his enemies in the face with this toxin places on a mask and becomes one of Batmans biggest foes. The Scarecrow. Bruce Wayne must not only fight to find out what Cranes plans are, but he must also try to find out who he's working for before it's too late.
The Characters:
Bruce Wayne: Played by Christian Bale, I think most Bale fans will agree that this is one of his best roles. He not only plays the tortured soul of Bruce Wayne brilliantly, but he also plays the Batman incredibly well.
Ducard: Played by Liam Neeson, I've never been a fan of Neeson's work but have to admit he surprised me. At 53 years of age the man is in great shape and if he didn't use a stuntman for most of the fight scenes, then I applaud him. The character is the one that creates Batman and it actually becomes quite ironic as Ducard turns on Wayne at the start.
Rachel: Played by Katie Holmes. I must be honest and say that the Rachel character altogether was instantly forgettable and I think the whole movie could have been just as great without her. I think they were aiming to create an unrequited love story, in which the movie goers would root for the characters to come together. It didn't work, and quite frankly was the only drag on this movie.
Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow: Played by Cillian Murphy. Murphy is someone else who's work I've never really been fond of but he really turned my opinions in his role as Crane. He gave a truly menacing facade and was someone who really made the hairs on your neck stand upright.
There are obviously a number of other characters that I could talk about but it would honestly give away the entire movie plot.
The Review: Well. What can I say? This movie is incredible. I don't think I could put it any more plainly. Nolan set out to give us a Batman re-invention, some people were skeptical and some people were optimistic. I, simply loved the entire thing. The film kept its pace throughout, it told the story of Bruce Wayne in detail and made us understand the torment the man was going through. It also managed to give us new villains and give us the finale without any part of it feeling rushed or any sacrificing of relevant dialogue. It was truly a triumph for Nolan and was something that has now lead up to the record breaking The Dark Knight. Buy it, I promise you'll love it.
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