Blu-ray Review: Batman Begins (Limited Edition Gift Set)

By Jeff Swindoll Jul 13, 2008, 14:15 GMT

Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight\'s emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents\' murder disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman a masked crusader who uses his strength ...more

With a new sequel storming onto screens this summer, Warner Brothers now finally bows Batman Begins onto Blu-ray.  This release replicates the HD DVD version and adds very little new supplementals.

In 1997 the Joel Schumacher directed Batman and Robin tried to take the film franchise into something that was more akin to the camp television series of the 1960s.  The film failed to ignite the box office as the other films in the series had.  It would take eight years for another Batman to stalk the silver screen and Christopher Nolan helmed 2005’s Batman Begins. 

The film was nothing in the direction that the old franchise was taking and I know I for one was elated that it embraced the darkness instead of the kiddie show (though I’d buy that on DVD/Blu-ray if it would ever be released.  Holy rights hell Batman!).

The film restarted the franchise and showed Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) traveling the world to learn to fight crime to avenge the death of his parents.  Wayne has returned to Gotham City to rid the street of criminal vermin in the guise of a bat, but Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy) has other, more fearful plans for the city. Crane’s plans pale in comparison to the even more sinister organization that he works for.

The film is gritty and excellent and breaks both the molds of the Burton and Schumacher films that came before. 

Batman Begins made its high definition debut on HD DVD in 2006 and since the format war ended fans have been anticipating the release of the title on Blu-ray.  It now wings its way onto the format, but in reality seems like a direct port of the HD DVD version. 

The one exception is the 6-minute high definition “Dark Knight IMAX prologue” which is the first six minutes of the new film.  You can buy the disc by itself or spring for the “Limited Edition Giftset” that provides lots of physical swag for you to walk away with as well as a ticket to see the new film.  

Batman Begins is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (2.40:1).  Special features include the aforementioned prologue and a picture-in-picture commentary in which director Christopher Nolan and others reveal the secrets of the film.  The rest of the special features are presented in standard definition. 

The “Additional Footage” section features a 2-minute reflections on writing with screenwriter David S. Goyer, a 1 minute look at how they did a test of the digital Batman, and 2 minutes on the stunts of the films. 

Next is the 1-minute theatrical trailer.  The 5-minute “Tankman Begins” is a parody from the 2005 MTV Movie Awards.  The 14-minute “The Journey Begins” looks at the genesis of the project.  The 12-minute “Shaping Mind and Body” looks at how Bale came to play the Batman. 

The 12 minute “Gotham City Rises” the design and construction of the city.  The 8-minute “Cape and Cowl” looks the design of the batsuit.  The 13 minute “Batman: the Tumbler” looks at the redesign of the batmobile.  The 14-minute “Path to Discovery” looks at Bruce’s path and the shooting in the Icelandic location.   The 13-minute “Saving Gotham City” looks how they achieved the film’s climatic battle.  The 14-minute “Genesis of the Bat” explains the decision to reboot the film series. 

Finally, you have a still gallery and confidential files that tell about the characters, villains, and weapons of the film.  The first thing you get in the giftset is a $7.50 movie ticket to see the Dark Knight. 

Next is a 32-page booklet with script pages, storyboards, and stills from the Dark Knight prologue.  There’s also a 16-page comic book adaptation of the same prologue, five collectible postcards, and the set features lenticular box art.  

Casual fans may well want to just pick up the single Blu-ray as the giftset has the same disc that is available separately.  The swag is rather nice but you’ll have to decide if that is worth the amount of money that you’ll have to pay for it.  Either way you’ll be getting a great film that gives rebirth to Batman.

Batman Begins (Limited Edition Gift Set) [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon. Visit the DVD database for more information.