Batman Begins2005

1:55 AM This is a movie that dedicates the majority of its runtime to the origins of the Batman, so it feels a little off-balance. But this movie had a lot of work to do. How do you take something that has been seen as quirky and campy in the public eye for so long and convey and convince everyone of its serious and (somewhat) realistic world?  Something I probably noticed subconsciously but never really thought about is how Bruce has to destroy these icons representing his father in order to truly become the Batman. There’s the destruction of the train and the burning of the stethoscope in the fire that destroys Wayne Manor. These things are icons representing his father’s legacy and represent perhaps a misalignment in Bruce’s values and the purpose of his mission. Things he has to let go of to truly become the savior of the city that he hopes to be.  Which I think is perhaps the point of these movies. It seems so obvious now that I think about it. I think I just get lost in how cool these movies are and forget that there are themes and ideas presented here beyond Batman punch bad guy. But it’s a journey and we are watching the ebb and flow of his character arc on his path to become a good man and the hero the people need. And it makes it much more obvious that it all has to end the way it does. That the work will never be finished, but his work is done once he learns not just to set aside Bruce Wayne but to set aside the Batman. To remove yourself from the equation.  It is so late (or early), and I’m losing steam. I love Batman. Fuck it, I’ve been on a streak. Five stars.