The makers of “Batman Begins” have brought the Dark Knight into the 21st Century. According to screenwriter David Goyer, the team worked for real-world touches by consulting places such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Department of Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. So here’s a look back at the campier Batman of past movies, and the new Crusader–and his cape–of “Batman Begins.”
THE ACTOR
THEN: Michael Keaton was the crazy Batman (“Batman” 1989), Val Kilmer was the mysterious Batman (“Batman Returns” 1992) and George Clooney was the charming Batman (“Batman Forever” 1995, “Batman & Robin” 1997).
NOW: Welsh actor Christian Bale plays Bruce Wayne as a chameleonlike performer whose public identity is a facade and who is only his true self in costume.
THE MASK
THEN: Former masks functioned mainly to conceal Batman’s identity.
NOW: The grim new version is a shock-absorbing helmet and a more expressive disguise, communicating rage with a knotted brow. Devilish ears contain listening devices.
THE COSTUME
THEN: Previous costumes resembled a Roman centurion’s breastplate with bulky sculpted abs and a codpiece. And who can forget the bat nipples? The yellow oval bat insignia on the chest wasn’t helpful either, as it made Batman an easy target.
NOW: The new batsuit is panther-sleek, flexible and as functional as a scuba suit. There’s no yellow on this ninjalike, minimalistic outfit.
THE CAVE
THEN: The decked-out batcave served as the high-tech crime-fighter’s headquarters.
NOW: It’s a dark, dank subterranean cavern with two waterfalls and a river running through it, and it serves mainly as a secret parking space for Batman’s car.
THE CAR
THEN: The Batmobile was sleek and sporty.
NOW: The term Batmobile is not even used in “Batman Begins.” This is a no-nonsense armored monster truck/Humvee, a heavy-duty military vehicle crossed with a rabid armadillo.
THE CAPE
THEN: In earlier movies, the cape was all about theatricality.
NOW: The new cape (left) is a type of parachute material that stiffens into bat wings for smooth gliding landings from rooftops.
It is flocked with light-absorbing velvet for shadowy stealth.
