Peter Martin continues his 8-day article – Part One HERE – Part Two HERE – Part Three HERE
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In anticipation of the upcoming release of Captain America: The First Avenger on July 22, we started to think about common themes that run through all superhero stories, including the ones that have been released this summer. And it seems to us that education is Priority #1. Superheroes must learn how to use their superpowers with extraordinary precision and control, or else they could do serious damage to themselves, to others, or even the entire planet. That applies even if they’re ordinary people who are gifted with extraordinary powers. So we’re counting down the top 8 moments when superheroes got schooled in the movies.
5. Batman Begins
Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has learned a great deal from other people: how to fight, how to best use technology, how to remain mysterious. But his greatest lesson in humanity comes as Wayne Manor is burning down, and he learns it in just a moment, from Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), the family butler who is more a father figure than a servant. Bruce believes he has failed, but Alfred reminds him of what his father often said: “Why do we fall, sir? So that we might learn to pick ourselves up.” The words may be Thomas Wayne’s, but the belief is shared by Alfred, and in that moment, Bruce is reduced to a schoolboy again. He is strengthened to carry on as Batman.
Check in tomorrow to see who’s next!
