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8/7/2019 batman begins post

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WHY DO WE FALL:

Analyzing Batman Begins

DISCLAIMER: I grew up on Batman. I had the guys clothes, toys, cups, pillow, and even a life-size poster.

I breathed Batman as a child, beginning with Tim Burtons version in 1989. Some people may argue I still

act like a child which would probably help explain why I am still enthralled with the idea of a grown

man dressing up in a flying rodent costume (well he does also have really cool gadgets and a Batmobile

in my defense). But all that aside, when I heard back in the early 2000s that Christopher Nolan was going

to do the new Batman movie, a creatively-liberated reimagining of the origin story free of nippled

rubber suits and campy one-liners, I literally lost my mind. Here was the opportunity for the

amalgamation of two of the greatest things in cinema the Batman mythology and

director/writer/producer Nolan who at that point, had already won me over completely with

Following, Memento, and Insomnia in my lifetime! I was a fan before film even started rolling on set.

And to my relief (and surprise), the finished product exceeded my expectations in almost every possible

way. So there you have it, my undeniably nerdy but certainly necessary disclaimer before diving into one

of the most solid, profound, and invigorating films in recent history.

The Batman Begins

Let me start by saying that any movie which begins with a giant mass of swarming bats, spiraling against

a darkened sky, forming the iconic Batman logo on screen is a movie that knows how to set the right

tone (and also, that neutralizes opening credits which more often than not, lets be honest, just plain

suck).

Right off the bat (no pun intended), we meet young Bruce Batman Wayne and childhood friend Rachel

Dawes. But Bruces innocent game of finders-keepers in the gardens of the Wayne manor leads to his

descent into bat-hell. He falls down a well and unleashes a swarm of bats, scaring him silly and forever

scarring him (more on this motif of falling later). Then cut to the present-day Bruce, a man lost and

confused, imprisoned somewhere in the Himalayan mountains scared silly and still scarred.


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His cellmate is concerned.

Did you have dream?

Nightmare.

Well said Mr. Wayne, well said.

After some burly mud wrestling with the local prisoners (Batmans gotta stay in shape somehow right?),

Bruce meets Ducard, a servant and recruiter for the enigmatic leader of the League of Shadows

assassins, Ras Al Ghul. Mr. Ducard is kind enough to remind Bruce that a man of his stature is only in

prison by his own choice and that if he would like, he can go pick a nice blue flower and gift it to the

assassin kingpin. Well Bruce does indeed pick this flower for the man and instead of getting hugs and

chocolates in return, he gets his ass kicked (maybe you should think of getting a card too next time

Bruce). And to add insult to injury, Ducard re-gifts this crap flower back to Bruce and makes him recount

his worst fears talk about a tough crowd.

The Incident

Cut back to young Bruce, scared straight at the bottom of the well, watching as his father descends

down the well to save him.

Bruce, why do we fall?

So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.

This notion of ascension/descension throughout the film is pretty prevalent and Ill expand on it later.

Its interesting to note however, that the first time were introduced to Bruces father, he descends into

the underworld to save his son and bring him back up. One could argue that Bruces guilt over his

parents death began as early as this incident he had to call on his father to go into harms way to save

Bruce. This also runs into another theme of action vs. passivity. At this young age, Bruce doesnt have


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the courage to do anything and fails to take the necessary actions to protect his loved ones. More on

this later.

After a solid scene with his father to establish the universally important paternal figure in a young mans

life and to contrast the subsequent substitution for Bruces new paternal figure, Ducard - young Bruce

is whisked away to a rather strangely Bat-centric opera. As he watches performers on stage dancearound in bat costumes in what I can only assume to be some demented version of Cats, Bruce freaks

out, looks into dear ol pops eyes and begs to leave the opera. And as a loving father would, he agrees

and they leave.

And thus, this brings us to the infamous death of the Wayne family/birth of the Batman scene. Its been

told through various incarnations throughout the years, but the essence remains the same. A

hoodlum/criminal tries to rob the Waynes in a dark alley at gunpoint. In the ensuing scuffle, Momma

and Poppa Wayne get shot, leaving young Bruce to mend his own lonely, broken heart. Nolans version

stays true to this poignant event but Id like to point out that Bruce is the reason the family was in such a

situation. Due to Bruces inability to conquer his fear of bats, the Wayne family leaves the Opera early.

Arguably, at least in Bruces mind, he passively led to the death of his own parents. Nolan also ties the

fear motif into the father motif rather seamlessly in this scene. Poppa Waynes last dying words?

Bruce, dont be afraid.

Encouraging words to prompt young Bruce into action, to convince him that anything is possible,

especially dressing up in a costume and fighting bad guys. To contrast this, in the climax of the film,

when Ducard Bruces new father figure battles Batman on the city train, what are his words of

encouragement?

Dont be afraid Bruce.

That, sir, is probably why Batman let you die. (Note to self: if youre ever fighting Batman, dont diss his

daddy)


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The Departure

Cut back to Bruce in the Himalayas, now training with the League of Shadows to become not a killer or

executioner or guru or spiritual leader but instead, a ninja. Yes everyone, take it in, Batman is pretty

much a modern-age ninja. He comes complete with throwing stars (Bat-a-rangs), a mask, stealthy

capabilities, and various fighting techniques and weapons. The one difference in my mind is, again, the

theme of Bruces ability to ascend and descend (in this case, via his cape and grapple gun).

After refusing to execute a lowly thief and drawing his line in the sand, Bruce realizes that the League of

Shadows is not for him. This distinction is pretty important as Bruce must decide what makes him any

different than the assassins who actually kill people deserving of death? He vows to capture men like

this but never kill (a rule that will be put to the test when the Joker rolls into town but thats a

different story altogether).

Nave and idealistic Bruce Wayne spits in the face of Ras Al Ghul and Ducard (they should have just

accepted his flower, Im telling you) and proceeds to blow up their mountain home. Its important to

note here that Bruce decides to safe Ducards life almost instinctively in that cool scene of his sliding

down a mountain, anchoring his arm, and subsequently curling a grown man back up the side of a

mountain. Given that Ducard was Bruces father figure in this trying time of his life, Bruce takes the

action necessary, this time, to save the ones he cares about.

What does Bruce do after killing dozens of ninjas, blowing up a mountainside assassins training grounds,

and beef-caking someone up a mountain? He boards his private jet, reunites with Alfred the butler, sips

some wine, and returns to Gotham City in hopes of, I would think, doing it all over again! Good man,

Bruce, good man.


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The Batman Actually Begins

Once back in town, Bruce decides to confront his fears head-on (not trying to plug the ridiculous

headache medicine Head-On: Apply Directly to the Forehead here, sorry). He descends back into the

well he feared so much as a child and discovers what will eventually become the bat-cave under the

mansion. Its interesting to note that Bruce doesnt run away from the underworld, he confronts it and

more than that, he lives in it. He acknowledges here that he belongs in the underworld, separating

himself from others in society. Then just as it happened when he was young, a giant swarm of bats

explode from the cave walls, engulfing Bruce, threatening to drive him crazy with fear. Bruce recoils. But

then he soaks it in (hmm bats) and conquers his fear through what psychologists refer to as exposure

therapy I think.

Bruce also runs into Rachel after taking a rather crowded dip in a restaurant fountain one night. As hes

strolling out the door with European beauties on each arm, Rachel looks on in disgust and amazement.

Not the best first impression you can make on your childhood love Bruce. He tries to convince her that

this image isnt him, that theres more to him than playboy-ing.

Inside, I am more.

Well, Ms. Dawes doesnt want to hear it Bruce. She has something of her own to say that ties in rather

nicely with the theme of action vs. passivity, thank you very much.

Its not who you are underneath, its what you do that defines you.

Ouch. Give a guy a break. If they were European guys, youd probably be taking a dip in the restaurant

fountain too Rachel. But nevertheless, Rachel touches on the nagging trait in Bruce that he believes cost

him his parents his inability to take action and protect his loved ones.

Well Bruce shakes off Rachels tongue-lashing and takes her words to heart. The next order of business

for Bruce after conquering his inner demons? Fight some bad guys. Take action. By leveraging help


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within his fathers (and now his) company, and enlisting the cooperation of incorruptible cop Jim

Gordon, Bruce assembles the components of his suit.

Kevlar armor? Check.

Ninja gauntlets? Check.

Memory-cloth cape? Check.

Ninj -- er I mean, bat throwing stars? Check.

Mask? Check.

Supersonic hearing? Check.

Gas-powered grapple gun? Check.

And of course, a badass reimagining of the classic Batmobile now complete with armor plating,

4 gigantic rear tires, ramp-less jump boosts, and an axle-less front wheel base? Um Check,

check, and double check.

Bruce begins his fear-striking into the hearts of the criminal underworld by taking down the big boss in

town himself, Carmine Falcone. In his attempt to escape the clutches of some winged demon

pummeling his henchmen, Falcone hastily loads up a shotgun and asks frustratingly:

What are you?

Cue the man already! Batman breaks into the limo from above:

Im Batman.

Oh yes. Chills, you may now run down my arms. Smile, you may creep across my face. The movie has

officially introduced the hero. And what does the hero do now? He head-butts the guy (probably most

awesome way to take someone down) and then disappears into the night. Honestly, who wouldnt want

to be Batman?


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The Defeat

Just as Batman begins his crime fighting, a certain Dr. Jonathan Crane from Arkham Asylum begins to

leverage his patented fear toxin and threatens to take over the city. Batman investigates like a ninja

mind you. After growling in his Batman voice at a corrupt lead, Batman scouts Dr. Cranes shindig in

Gothams Narrows community. Hes onto something when Crane unexpectedly returns, a scuffle

ensues, and Batman is doused with the dreaded fear toxin. Batman, let me introduce you to The

Scarecrow. Scarecrow, this is Batman. You play nice now, you hear? But the Scarecrows momma

apparently didnt teach him that lighting people on fire is wrong so thats what he does. A burning

Batman, desperate to put out the fire and scared out of his mind, throws himself into the rain outside

like a bat outta hell (pun intended there). He cant open his cape though and instead, falls hard on the

ground but manages to put out the fire.

After nearly being burned alive, and with his mind torturing him with his worst fears, Batman uses his

grapple gun and ascends out of the Narrows. This is where this distinction between

ascension/descension pays its dividends (in my mind). As much as Batman can fly up and scale buildings

and soar above society, inside, he knows he belongs underground, hidden below the people hes trying

to protect, forever trapped at the bottom of the well. How do I know this? In Bruces intoxicated mind,

in his most dire time of fear and need, he once again calls for help from the only father he knows

Alfred. Why is this significant? Cue flashback to Poppa Wayne descending into the well to rescue young

Bruce in his time of dire fear and need.

Bruce, why do we fall?

In Bruces attempts to ascend above the criminal world, he ultimately only tumbles back down to his

well of fears. In other words, you cant run before you learn to walk Bruce.

And one last nerd-note, this scene features probably one of the best tracks from Hans Zimmers/James

Howards score Talarida.


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The Damsel in Distress

As much as Rachel Dawes, now the district attorney of Gotham City, wants to be the heroic female lead,

lets face it, youre in a Batman film you are not the hero! Sorry, not trying to be sexist but thats just

how superhero movies are. So what do you do? You investigate Dr. Crane and his fear toxin

experiments in Arkham Asylum but end up getting doused with the toxin yourself and about to die. Well

at least well get to see Batman rescue you now and pancake every conceivable object in the path of

the Batmobile on his way back to the cave.

The car is pretty insane sure, but the driving is just plain silly. Honestly, this man either cant drive or

seriously loves seeing his car squash everything in its path. Id say, maybe a little of both. But dont

worry Ms. Dawes, youll get your chance to shine soon enough.

The End Comes Full Circle

As Bruce returns home, its his birthday party and everyones having a grand ol time. But amidst the

crowds of people, Bruce is introduced to a certain familiar man or at least a man Bruce believes to be


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dead Ras Al Ghul. Enter Ducard, the one and only father figure who Bruce saved in the mountains.

Ras Al Ghul my ass. Bruce questions Ducards methods of duplicity:

Cheap parlor tricks to conceal your true identity Ras?

To which Ducard has a response and a good one at that:

Surely a man who spends his nights scrambling over the rooftops of Gotham wouldnt

begrudge me dual identities?

Ouch. Can you say, backfire?

Turns out, Ducard has been using Dr. Cranes fear toxin as a means to wipe out Gotham City. And where

did Crane get this fear toxin you might ask? Well damnit, its that crap flower from the Himalayas

nothing good comes from flowers, Im telling you. Chocolates are much better. Anyway, Ducard pretty

much deems Gotham City to be a cesspool of corruption and decadence and vows to purge the city of its

past (AKA destroy Gotham). And since Bruce burned his home to the ground, Ducard shall return the

favor and start by destroying Wayne manor (a man with quite a grudge, Id say). But Bruce, being the

idealistic hero, cant let him destroy his fathers city. Tempers flare, lines are drawn, mean looks are

exchanged, but Bruce gets knocked out and the bad guys are free to terrorize the helpless city.

That is until, Alfred the one and only father figure left in Bruces life battles flames and henchmen to

rescue Bruce. And as Bruce watches in horror as his fathers house burns to the ground, Alfred offers

Bruce a tiny nugget of hope.

Why do you we fall sir?

So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.

Cue the emotional payoff. Cue the paternal love. And cue Batmans inspiration to go save the city!

Honestly, who doesnt want to be a superhero?


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The Battle for Gotham City

With the Narrows running amok amidst an engulfing wave of fear toxin thats been released into the air,

Rachel Dawes confronts the Scarecrow who, in the eyes of a fear-intoxicated child, rides a fire-wreathed

horse that snorts flames. Pretty sweet visual, pretty sweet. But as promised, Rachel gets her moment to

shine and sticks a taser right in the Scarecrows demented mug, sending him running into the shadows.

Nice aim Rachel, well done.

Nevertheless, Batman rushes in saves Rachel from a pack of crazy goons. She thanks him. He does the

cool hero thing and walks away. She does the damsel thing and asks him who he is.

Its not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.

She gets it. He leaps off the building and what does he do? He soars. Like a winged demon, he flies

above the criminals below him, striking fear into the underworld. Ascension theme thy relevance is

throughout.

Batman finds Ducard gearing up to use the Gotham train system to ignite fear toxin across the entire

city. Ducard smirks and leaves Batman to his goons. But Batman doesnt smile, he beats people up.

After taking care of the aforementioned bad guys, Batman once again, ascends to finally reach the train

and begins to duel it out with Ducard ninja style. But as previously mentioned, Ducard commits the

cardinal sin of villain-ing and disrespects Poppa Waynes dying words.

Dont be afraid Bruce.

Im telling you, dont talk smack about Batmans daddy. Seriously.

Batman gets the upper hand and pulls out a couple throwing stars, threatening to kill him.

Have you finally learned to do what is necessary Bruce?


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I wont kill you. But I dont have to save you.

This time, Bruce lets Ducard die. A fine line is drawn here between actively killing someone who

deserves death (as the League of Shadows believes) and Batmans philosophy of allowing others to deal

justice, even if hes indirectly responsible for death (as he believes he was in his parents murders).

Batman may not kill people but hell let people die yet another shade of the action vs. passivity theme(this theme rears its ugly head especially when the Joker comes to town and speaking of him)

The Hook

Back at the ruins of the Wayne manor after the city is saved, the well is boarded up, forever closing the

chapter in Bruces life when he lived in fear. Rachel comes over and offers Bruce a kiss. All should be

happy. But she tells Bruce that as long as Gotham needs Batman, she cant be with him.

Your real face is the one the criminals now fear. The man I loved the man who vanished he

never came back at all.

Way to kill the moment Rachel, geez. But it serves to setup the sequel as Bruce takes up the Batman

mantle and Rachel must sacrifice her love for her man for the betterment of the city and for crying out

loud, speaking of this damn sequel already

Batman meets Lieutenant Gordon under the newly-designed Bat-light beaming into the night sky.

Gordon asks him to look into a rising criminal mastermind in town. No name. No info. Just a calling card

the guy leaves at the scene. Batman agrees. Cue the Joker card. Cue nerdy fan-boy excitement. Cuereinvigorated sense of excitement in the Batman franchise. Cue a smile on my face. Cue credits.

-a.wei

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