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Picture Source: http://www.imdb.com

Main Cast:
Christian Bale - Bruce Wayne
Michael Caine - Alfred
Katie Holmes - Rachel Dawes
Liam Neeson - Ducard
Gary Oldman - Jim Gordon
Morgan Freeman - Lucius Fox

Rating: PG-13 for thematic violence and scary scenes!

Plot Synopsis:

The movie ‘Batman Begins’ is a story about two childhood friends who grow up to become protectors of Gotham City. Both lives are forever changed after a tragedy happens to Wayne’s parents which defines what they would become. The young man Bruce Wayne, (played by Christian Bale) becomes Batman, with the help of Alfred (played by Michael Cane) and Lucius Fox (played by Morgan Freeman) to fight the mobster Falcone (played by Tom Wilkinson) and the mysterious criminal who unleashes terror into the city. The young woman Rachel Dawes, (played by Katie Holmes) becomes a District Attorney to put away the most dangerous criminals with the help of incorruptible Sgt. Jim Gordon (played by Gary Oldman)

Content Review:

This is one of the best movies to watch this summer next to Star Wars because of the way the story flows making us think of our own family and friends who can help us make a difference. It does an excellent job in addressing issues such as vengeance, justice, love, crime, and corruption. It is rated PG-13 for thematic violence and scary scenes.

Spiritual Implications: SPOILER ALERT

In the movie, we see Bruce Wayne as a young boy fall into a ditch and being attacked by bats. He is so fearful and fear overtakes him. When his dad rescues him, the first thing his dad tells him is ‘Do not be afraid.’ Later, his dad asks him why do we fall and responds so we can learn to pick ourselves up.

This reminded me so much about another Father who cares for His children so much. In His eyes, we are his young children who He dearly loves.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1, NIV)

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV)

Just as Bruce Wayne’s daddy came rushing to the rescue of his son, our Father who art in Heaven comes to the rescue of His children. When they fall, He does not leave them on their own. He comes to their rescue and does not want them to be afraid. He wants them to pick themselves up with His help for He will fight the battles for them. Bruce Wayne feared bats and his daddy comforted him. Your fear could be something else but the Good News is that your Heavenly Father is there for you wherever you go.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)

In the movie, we see Thomas Wayne talking to his son Bruce Wayne about the importance of helping the less fortunate. This reminded me of Jesus’ purpose and why He came!

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19, NIV)

In the movie, we see Bruce watching a play with his parents and gets really afraid and wants to leave. For the sake of their son, they decide to leave but on their way home, his parents get killed during a mugging. He blames himself for their death. Alfred, their butler comforts him and lets him know that it was not his fault but the guy who pulled the trigger.

It reminded me of what loving parents are willing to do for their children putting their own desires aside. They wanted to watch the play but left for Bruce’s sake. His dad’s last words to Bruce were, “Don’t be afraid.” Till the end, we saw his love for his dear son.

How much more God intervenes and does for His dear children!

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11, NIV)

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18, NIV)

In the movie, we see Bruce wants to take vengeance on the man who killed his parents but Rachel, the D.A. does not want him to take vengeance. She tells him something along the lines that justice is about harmony for humanity but vengeance is to make yourself feel better. He shows her his gun and tells her that he is disappointed that he was not the one to be able to kill the murderer. Rachel is very disappointed in him and told him that his dad would have been ashamed of him for wanting to take vengeance.

I am reminded of Scripture addressing the concept of how wrong going for vengeance is.

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'Because Edom took revenge on the house of Judah and became very guilty by doing so, therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will stretch out my hand against Edom and kill its men and their animals. I will lay it waste, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword.” (Ezekiel 25:12-13, NIV)

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." (Romans 12:18-20, NIV)

In the movie, we see Ducard filled with so much vengeance that he wants Bruce to kill a murderer for the crime that was committed. Bruce tells Ducard that he is no executioner and takes on the League of Shadows. Ducard felt killing that man would serve justice.

The situation is not similar but it reminded me of all the crimes we have committed. A crime in God’s eyes is anything that breaks His law even if it seems minor in our eyes. That means even if we are not murderers but have broken His law elsewhere we still deserve eternal death because

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (James 2:10, NIV)

God in His Holiness cannot allow sin into His presence. We all deserve death for the crimes we have committed so justice can be served but God in His love does not let us face Eternal death but gives us a way out through what Jesus Christ has done for us if we accept it!

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-26, NIV)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NIV)

In the movie, we see corruption almost covering Gotham City but the faithful few still taking a stand and making a difference. It reminded me of how much God hates corruption and how corruption can be avoided.

“They have sunk deep into corruption, as in the days of Gibeah. God will remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.” (Hosea 9:9, NIV)

”His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4, NIV)

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (2 Peter 1:5-9, NIV)

In the movie, the League of Shadows takes it into their own hands to try to destroy Gotham City by using the water supply because crime and corruption was filling the city. Batman intervenes and does not allow them to because of the innocent lives still there. The League of Shadows is destroyed but the innocent lives are spared.

This reminds me of what the Lord did when sin was rampant but spared those who sought Him!

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.” (2 Peter 2:4-10, NIV)

In the movie we see Dr. Craner using his profession as a physician to hurt others for his own personal gain. As a doctor he is supposed to take care of patients but hurts them. He is totally the opposite of a Great Physician who loves us so much and wants to truly heal us. His name is Jesus Christ and one day He promises we will be with Him under His care permanently and joyfully as we turn to Him and wait upon Him.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, NIV)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3. NIV)

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:3-5, NIV)

Questions to ponder:

One person can make a difference so what is one thing you would like to change in your community and what approach are you going to take?

What is your greatest fear and what does the Lord want you to do with that fear?

What is the danger of vengeance in a person’s life?

What can we learn about the difference between blame and love from this movie?

In the movie, Rachel tells Bruce, “it is not who are on the inside but what you do that defines you”. What does it mean to you in your life and what is the biblical approach?

What is the kind of mask you where in your life and will you let Jesus take off your mask so you can be who you are that God made you to be? Why or why not?

What crimes are you guilty of and how can you be pardoned by the Judge of the Universe?