Batman Begins Story Structure

Being a film snob requires me to analyze films as much as possible. The first film I analyzed for this blog was Batman Begins (I had never seen it before). While I would love to analyze the cinematography and editing (I'm much better at doing that), I've analyzed the story structure.

The opening image of Batman Begins is of a young Bruce Wayne, running around with his friend Rachel. He stole an arrowhead from her, saying "Finders Keepers", which is a set up for another part of the film. While running around and having fun like normal kids do, Bruce falls down a dry well and is attacked by a swarm of bats. This causes his intense fear of bats. His father comes down the well and saves him and Bruce gives Rachel the arrowhead back, which is a Save the Cat moment. There is another opening image, (well, flashback), of Bruce Wayne in jail. The scenes of him being in jail show that he isn't liked and that he knows how to fight. Especially in one of the first scenes of him being in jail, he starts beating up a ton of guys in the mud... and while I was watching it all I could imagine was the writer thinking "Yeah, let's have him beat the shit out of some guy... yeah... in the mud. That would totally be bad ass." but that's mainly because I hate pointless fighting in films... but it wasn't completely pointless, because it showed that he knew how to fight and it led us to meet Ducard, the man who would train Batman. But anyway, so Bruce steals a piece of fruit and gives it to another person who needs it more. Why did the writer do this? It's another Save the Cat moment. It causes us to think "Aw. He did something shitty, but now he is making up for it by being nice to someone." I think Save the Cat moments are there to remind us that the characters are human.

The theme of the film is set up once Ducard approaches Bruce, telling him he needs to find himself... that he could become a legend. I personally think for a super hero film, that is a pretty good theme. Wayne is asked to become a member of The League of Shadows, led by Ra's Al Ghul.

Next we get to the Catalyst of the film, which is in a flashback. It is the death of Bruce Wayne's parents. They are shot by Joe Chill. Wayne is devastated, and this changes his life forever.

Debate- Fast forward 14 years later, there is a trial for Joe Chill to see if he is going to be released (because he testified against mafia boss Falcone). The trial goes well for Joe Chill, and he is set free. Bruce Wayne however, well, he is not too happy. He brings a gun to the trial... and this is where the debate starts... "Could I kill the man who killed my parents" and all that jazz. He pulls out the gun to shoot him, but before he can do it, one of Falcone's assassins kill Chill. Bruce tells Rachel what he was planning on doing, and Rachel brings him to Falcone's restaurant that he's always at? I don't know. But she brings him to a shady part of town. Bruce goes to see Falcone that night, and Falcone is just being a jerk about the whole situation (I mean, he is a villain, so I'm not sure what I was expecting). They throw Bruce Wayne out... I think this is when Bruce decides he wants to fight crime, not kill it, but fight it. There is a homeless man by a fire. Bruce takes off his coat and gives it to the man, this is another set up. Back to The League of Shadows, Bruce burns down their temple because they plan to destroy Gotham. They ask Bruce to kill a criminal, and Bruce refuses. This really shows Bruce's character. I think this scene really reflects how his parent's death changed his perspective on death in general (I mean, how could it not impact that??) Bruce saves Ducard from the fire, showing that he knows that killing is wrong. I think this is also part of the debate period.

We break into 2, Act 2 that is... and we learn the B story... with Falcone and drugs and all of that fun stuff.

Then we get into Fun and Games. Bruce comes back to Gotham after being gone for 7 years and everyone is shocked. When he gets back, he gets all of the gadgets and starts creating Batman. The car, the weapons, the gadgets, the costume, all of it... it's all fun and games.

NOW, to the mid-point. Falcone is in custody, and all should be well in Gotham. I mean, Batman went out and beat the hell out of Falcone and his men. He made a name for  himself. This is also where the pay-off comes in. That homeless man from before with the whole coat thing is right there watching as Batman beats the hell out of Falcone. Batman looks up at him, and says "Nice coat." Hehe, how cool is that. Batman also has this big thing with Rachel and Crane that involves a police chase and all that jazz.

Another pay off is Bruce's 30th birthday, Rachel shows up that morning and gives him a present. It's the arrowhead, with a note that says "Finders Keepers". She also says "It's what you do that defines you." THIS IS ANOTHER SET UP.
Anyway, Falcone is threatening to reveal Dr. Crane's hallucinogenic he has been using, and Crane uses it on Falcone... causing him to be mentally unfit for the trial, and he is transferred to Arkham Asylum.

Now we get to the Bad Guys Close In/All is Lost beats, which is at Bruce Wayne's party. Ducard shows up with the rest of the League of Shadows. Revealing himself to be the real Ra's Al Ghul. After Bruce kicks out all of his party guests, Ducard burns down the house and leaves Bruce Wayne to die. Ducard also mentions his evil plan to make the hallucinogenic drug airborne using a device they stole from Wayne Enterprises.

Dark Night of the Soul is the next beat, where Bruce Wayne basically has a pity party... and rightfully so. I mean, his house is burning down. Alfred, the butler type person comes in and saves him, taking him to the Batcave.

Now we break into three, act three that is.

Batman leaves the Batcave, and runs around Gotham trying to save people. He runs into Rachel and reveals his identity to her, a pay off... he says "It's what you do that defines you."
He runs off, trying to stop Ra's Al Ghul from getting the vaporizer thingy to the city's main water supply. Batman succeeds, especially after Gordon uses the Batmobile to blow up a section of the monorail's track.  That all is the Finale.

Now we get to the Final Image, Batman being a hero... but losing Rachel because she can't be with Batman. Bruce has the controlling shares of Wayne Enterprises, so he hires Fox and fires Earle. Gordon tells Batman about The Joker... marketing for the next film.
So yeah. I would say overall I enjoyed the film. Christopher Nolan did a great job as far as directing goes.