What Are The Similarities Between Batman Begins And Star Wars

Comparing Batman Begins and Star Wars IV: A New Hope
It is undeniable that both Batman Begins and Star Wars IV: A New Hope follow the famous formula known as the Hero's Journey. Within both of these movies, there are similarities and differences concerning the path that the hero takes. Both live in a city (or galaxy) where evil is present and very little is being done to stop the villains. Another similarity between the two movies is that both Bruce and Luke grow up most of their lives without knowing their parents as they are dead (or partially dead in Luke's case). When both are given an opportunity to be called to adventure, they both reject because they think they are not significant to make a difference in their cause. Luke considers himself just a farming boy who does not have the ability to save the entire galaxy

from a dark force. After confronting the criminal responsible for his parent's death, Falcone, Bruce thinks what the man said is true and that he alone will not have enough of an impact to bring Gotham back from corruption and crime.

Both also have a sort of supernatural force helping them, giving them an advantage over ordinary people. Luke learns the ways of the "force" which about three other people have mastered: Darth Vader who is evil, Obi-Wan his mentor, and Yoda (who he does not know yet). Bruce learns the ways of advanced ancient Ninjitsu and the ways of being one with the shadows. The two of them are also both very limited in their allies fighting against a world of evil. Luke is contained to Obi-Wan, Chewbacca, Han Solo, and eventually Leah. Bruce is limited to the few uncorrupt people in his city, Alfred, Mr. Fox, Jim Gordon, and Rachel. During the ordeal, both hero's have a long line of conflict that they must deal with. Bruce has to save Rachel, escape his on fire mansion, fight Ra's al Ghul, and then stop the city from going crazy from the gas. Luke must save Leia, escape a trash compacter, watch Obi-Wan die, escape Darth Vader's station, and finally come back to destroy it. A last similarity is that both hero's rewards made them realize what they were actually destined for. Luke

realizes that his place is with rebels fighting Darth Vader and his dark side. He understands that he must avenge Obi-Wan's death and continues his studies of the force and the ways of a Jedi Knight. Bruce learns that his calling is being the one to save Gotham and bring it back to its once prosperous style.

Although there are many similarities between the two heroes, there are also many differences. A first being that Bruce actually knew his parents and had a sense of who they were. No one ever lied to him and told him that they were something they were not. Luke on the other hand, never knew his mom or dad and spent most of his years believing that both his parents where dead and that his dad was just a fighter pilot in the Republic. Another difference is that Bruce was called to adventure multiple times like having the opportunity to kill Falcone, going up the mountain, and joining the League of Shadows. Luke was only called to adventure once by Obi-Wan after seeing Leia's hologram. Also, Luke receives only one special item, his light saber while Bruce creates himself a large amount of gadgets to give him an upper hand Although both Luke and Bruce have mentors that die the way it happens is extremely different. Luke spends his entire adventure building a bond with Obi-Wan and trusting him. He watches Obi-Wan submit himself to Darth Vader and die breaking Luke's heart. Meanwhile, Bruce and his mentor don't fully see eye to eye and eventually become each other's enemy and fighting each other to the death where Bruce arises victorious not regretting having killed the man who taught him everything that made him strong. Lastly difference is that after the ordeal, Luke finds himself with the comfort of many others similar to him. He finds himself a home with the Rebels and is surrounded by other people willing to fight for a common cause. Bruce on the other hand, remains very limited with allies and must continue to fight a large city with a lot of crime on his own or with little to no help.