‘One of the most unforgettable films’ is now on Netflix | Films | Entertainment
Film fans are in for a treat with one of the greatest movie marathons now available at their fingertips.
Christopher Nolan’s celebrated Batman trilogy has just landed on Netflix in its entirety. From today (May 7), subscribers can stream Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises on the platform.
Monumental in running time, scale and box office receipts, the trilogy ranks as the fourth greatest ever made according to Metacritic scores, sitting behind only The Lord of The Rings, The Godfather and the original Star Wars trilogies.
Rooted in the beloved DC comics, Batman Begins, released in 2005, marked the franchise’s first outing since 1997’s Batman and Robin.
That film saw George Clooney don the cape but was savaged by critics and audiences alike, widely regarded as one of Hollywood‘s most notorious big-budget disasters.
Nearly a decade on, Nolan delivered his own distinctive vision of a darker, more grounded Batman and the city of Gotham, exploring the origins of the iconic character — a bold creative choice that proved an outstanding success.
Audiences were even willing to overlook the introduction of a brand new character in love interest and childhood friend Rachel, initially portrayed by Katie Holmes before Maggie Gyllenhaal stepped into the role, reports the Mirror.
Christian Bale, then a relatively little-known face, takes on the role of Bruce Wayne, otherwise known as Batman. He is joined throughout the trilogy by an impressive ensemble cast including Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy and Gary Oldman.
Batman Begins follows Bruce Wayne as he trains in martial arts under a member of the enigmatic League of Shadows following the murder of his parents. However, Wayne is compelled to return home upon discovering that the group intends to obliterate Gotham.
One fan remarked of the film: “The best origin story movie of all time,” while another added: “A grounded, serious origin story that shows how Bruce becomes Batman, not just why. It’s realistic, emotional, and beautifully structured.”
Its 2008 follow-up, The Dark Knight, is widely regarded as one of the finest sequels ever produced, as well as a remarkable film in its own right. It holds the highest rating of the trilogy on the review website Rotten Tomatoes, with an impressive 94%.
The film introduces a new criminal who calls himself the Joker, plunging the city into turmoil. Consequently, Batman finds himself walking a precarious line between heroism and vigilantism.
Heath Ledger delivered a career-defining portrayal of the Joker, yet tragically passed away aged 28 before the film’s release. He was subsequently honoured with a posthumous Oscar for his extraordinary performance of the iconic character.
The film is widely considered essential viewing for every cinema enthusiast. As one fan proclaimed: “Masterpiece of a film. Heath ledger is iconic and delivers masterclass acting.” Another simply stated: “The best superhero film ever created.”
While someone else declared: “One of the greatest and most unforgettable films ever made-this is the kind of cinematic greatness you rarely get to see.”
The 2012 release The Dark Knight Rises brings the trilogy to a dramatic close with a grand finale. Taking place eight years after the previous instalment, Batman has sacrificed everything in the hope of serving the greater good and no longer prowls the streets of Gotham. Yet the emergence of a wily cat burglar and a ruthless villain known as Bane drags Batman out of his self-imposed exile and into a confrontation he may struggle to survive.
Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy join the ensemble as Catwoman and Bane respectively, while Joseph Gordon-Levitt also features as a character that continues to divide fan opinion to this day. Although it has not quite matched the acclaim of its predecessor — with many still pondering what a third outing featuring Ledger’s Joker might have looked like — it is widely regarded as a worthy conclusion to the series.
One viewer took to the internet to declare: “A memorable epic with a huge scale. A fitting conclusion to a monumental trilogy.” Another added: “Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy is the best thing ever happened to Hollywood. The entire movie keeps you busy watching it and not to blink your eyes.”
Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises are streaming on Netflix and HBO Max.
