There have been many portrayals of the iconic comic book character throughout the years, but none stand out as much as Christian Bale's depiction of Batman. After a disaster of a film in 1997's Batman and Robin that featured a silly depiction from George Clooney, many were skeptical about another Batman film (especially from a newer director taking on his first big-budget film).
That all changed after 2005's Batman Begins was released and fans were able to see what Christian Bale could bring to the role. Keaton, Kilmer, and Affleck (sorry Clooney) all do their best in their respective films, but they can't quite reach the level of Bale's dark and disturbed Batman in The Dark Knight trilogy.
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Each of their Batmans adds their own unique characteristics to the character, whether it's the tone of their voice, the complexity of their costume, or the way they conduct themselves around criminals. But they all share one commonality: an uncompelling Bruce Wayne. Other than the wonderful performances, assured direction, and grittier tone, the real highlight of the whole trilogy, particularly in Batman Begins, is the exploration of Bruce Wayne/Batman and the way Bale is able to bring him to life.
The reason why Bale's Batman stands out is largely due to the fact that audiences are able to see where the troubled character comes from and why he dons the cape and cowl. The most compelling moments are not always Bale as the caped crusader, battling it out with criminals, but instead the Bruce Wayne moments that reveal his vulnerability. Bale's subtle performance as this character feels honest, as he gives a lot of humanity to Batman as this tortured soul trying to navigate his internal struggles.
Those struggles along with other moral dilemmas are of course further explored in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. 1989's Batman and 1995's Batman Forever struggled, for example, struggled with this. They didn't take the time to establish an emotionally resonant Bruce Wayne. Although their Batmans are involved in thrilling action sequences, not many truly cared about their versions of Bruce Wayne.
Bale's Batman in Batman Begins gives fans a reason to care about Bruce Wayne just as much as they do about Batman. Understanding the people under the masks was a rarity at the time. They get to witness his upbringing in Wayne Manor and get to see the closer relationship he shares with his parents, who are then tragically murdered. There's his relationship with Alfred and how those two suffered dealing with the trauma of what happened to Thomas and Martha. The blossoming relationship with Rachel from a young age gives us yet another reason to care for the man behind the mask.
Fans get to witness Bruce falling down a dry well and being attacked by a swarm of bats and how that horrific event lingers on with him in later scenes, specifically the opera scene where Bruce begs his parents to leave due to the performers masquerading as bats. Roughly 15 minutes into Batman Begins, fans already have a deeper understanding of Bruce's character and why he continues to struggle with the fear of bats in his later years.
The Bruce side of the character surely doesn't take away from the Batman side. Bale's depiction gives us a detailed and satisfying look into how he becomes Batman. After Rachel scolds him for intending to shoot his parents' murderer, going against true justice, and also sitting down with the crime boss Carmine Falcone, who forces Bruce to realize power comes from being feared, Bruce travels the world for many years. Along his path to becoming Batman, he immerses himself in the criminal underworld, leading him to serve time in a Bhutan prison.
He gradually learns combat and is recruited by Liam Neeson's Ra's Al Ghul and the League of Shadows, who train him in ninja-style methods and teach him to harness his fear at a secluded temple in the snowy mountains. Once he returns to Gotham, he then has access to other high-tech gear (the Tumbler) after taking an interest in his family's company. Fans are exposed to the fighting styles, gadgets, and various tactics that set up Batman along with developing friendships with characters like James Gordon. The first scene involving Batman in a fight scene doesn't occur until around the 1-hour mark in Batman Begins.
Yes, Bale is given the most films so far to showcase this character, so of course, his Batman is able to attract a deeper connection from fans. But even by the time Batman Begins reaches its final showdown between Batman and Ra's Al Ghul on the train headed for Wayne Tower, fans are fully invested with what's going on due to the setup that occurred earlier in the film that took the time to create an engaging main character.
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