6) “Swear To Me” – Batman Begins
Most heroes are figures of hope, but not Batman. This guy is effective at his job not particularly because he saves people, but because he scares the criminals away. No scenes demonstrate this better than the first time we properly see Bruce Wayne in the Batman persona in Batman Begins.
In order to get information about Falcone’s drug shipment, Batman grabs Gordon’s corrupt partner Flass and hoists him several stories in the air, dropping him up and down in order to scare him into telling him what he wants to know. “I don’t know, I swear to God,” Flass pleas. In a now famous line, Batman growls: “Swear to me!”
We’re so familiar nowadays with people mocking Christian Bale’s Batman demeanor and voice, but back when we initially saw this scene it served as a fantastic introduction to the most intimidating version of the character to date.
5) Bat Vs. Cat – Batman Returns
Batman Returns might be too blackly comic and just plain weird for everyone’s tastes, but even if its naysayers have to admit that the movie nails the character of Catwoman. Leaving aside her kooky supernatural origins, Michelle Pfieiffer gives a tour de force performance as the only woman psychologically-scarred enough to be the perfect fit for Batman.
The Bat and the Cat’s chemistry is terrific throughout the movie, but their first meeting is the highlight. Catwoman immediately gets the jump on Batman – literally – by playing to the man underneath, flirting and pretending to be hurt in order to throw him off. Still, Batman is clearly immediately attracted to his crazy woman who likes donning a pointing-eared mask as much as he does. In their own weird way, it’s probably love at first sight.
This passionate yet violent and volatile relationship is a perfect adaptation of the Bruce/Selina warped love story.