The Batman (2014)

The Batman is a 2014 remake of the 1989 Tim Burton film Batman starring Eric Bana, Christina Hendricks, Geoffrey Rush, Bryan Cranston and Crispin Glover.

Plot
Bruce Wayne is a millionaire philanthropist and playboy but is also the secret alter ego of Gotham's dark knight; the Batman. When he was a child, Bruce witnessed the murder of his parents at the hands of a lowly street thug who was never caught. Since that day, he swore to take on crime in the godforsaken city, no matter the cost. Operating from his secret lair, the Batcave, and with the help of his loyal butler and guardian Alfred Pennyworth, he is one of the few men left standing against crime in Gotham; the only others being police sergeant James Gordon and the new district attorney Harvey Dent.

The kingpin of Gotham's underworld, Rupert Thorne, learns that one his own men, Jack Napier, is engaged in an affair with his own mistress, Alicia Hunt. Deciding to extract revenge, he sends Napier to raid the Axis Chemicals Factory, however, he secretly tips off corrupt police officer Arnold Flass, Gordon's partner, who is on the take from Thorne, hoping to have Napier arrested. Napier, realising he's been set up, kills Flass and then chases Gordon, who had followed Flass to the factory. Suddenly, Batman appears, and in the ensuing struggle, Napier falls into a chemical vat and is presumed dead. Gordon tries to thank Batman for saving his life, but the vigilante disappears.

Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne is introduced to reporters Alexander Knox and Vicki Vale, who are investigating the rumours about Batman. Wayne takes a liking to Vicki and asks her out on a date.

Napier, having survived his fall, hires one of his goons to attempt to fix his face using plastic surgery. The experiment goes badly wrong and Napier ends up with a permanent smile carved into his face. He then returns to Thorne, shocked that his old associate is still alive, and shoots him to death. He then paints his face and renames himself 'The Joker.'

As the Joker, Napier takes over Thorne's crime syndicate and murders several other mob bosses, ultimately gaining near complete control over Gotham. He then hatches a plan to terrorize Gotham by using chemicals from the Axis factory to combine a deadly laughing gas with cosmetics and then ship them out. Meanwhile, Batman investigates Napier's past and finally recognizes him as the unfound criminal who murdered his parents.

As Vicki begans to fall for Bruce, the Joker becomes more obsessed with her. Batman eventually tracks down the location of Joker's production to the Axis chemical factory and raids it, finally wiping out the production line and enabling him to create an antidote.

Vicki solves the mystery of batman's identity but decides to not to disclose it; instead she confronts Bruce and confesses her feelings for him. He agrees to pursue a relationship with her once he has defeated the Joker.

The Joker then hijacks a parade in Gotham, planning to use several large ballons filled with laughing gas to commit mass murder. batman arrives in his vehicle, the Batwing, and foils Joker's plan by shooting out the balloons support and allowing them to float away. The Joker spies Vicki in the crowd and kidnaps her.

Batman follows them to Gotham Cathedral and ascends the spire. Enraged, he reveals his identity to the Joker and the villain realises that he is responsible for creating Batman, having murdered his parents. Batman then mocks the Joker; telling him that he is crazy and therefore nobdy will ever believe his story. An infuriated Joker attacks Batman and knocks both of them over the edge; however, Vicki runs to Batman's aid and helps to pull him up. Realising that she will never choose him, the Joker shoots the two a sly look of jealousy before losing his grip and falling to his death.

Batman confronts Vicki and tells him that the Joker's threat has made him realise that he cannot hope for a normal relationship as it would endanger her too much. Although reluctant, she informs him that she understands and agrees to end their relationship. Gordon is promoted to police comissioner and Harvey Dent lifts the spirits of the Gotham people when he adresses them promising to continue the war on crime and reading a letter written by Batman, as the hero stands triumphantly over the Gotham skyline.

Cast
Eric Bana - Bruce Wayne/The Batman

Geoffrey Rush - Alfred Pennyworth

Bryan Cranston - Sergeant James Gordon

Christina Hendricks - Vicki Vale

Billy Dee Williams - Lucius Fox

Michael Fassbender - Harvey Dent

Crispin Glover - Jack Napier/The Joker