We also find out that Batman was trained by a group of ninjas, which serves to cement the superiority of ninjas over pirates.

Themes

The majority of the main themes emerge within the first hour of the movie, with the last half seeing those themes played out. The main theme is justice, and the exploration between what makes a vigilante and what makes a man devoted to the ideal of justice. A telling conversation at the beginning of the movie between Bale and Neeson explains this when Bruce Wayne is asked to kill a criminal. Neeson’s character explains that “Criminals thrive on the indulgence of societies understanding”. Wayne responds that is true, but it is compassion that separates a man with an ideal from a vigilante. This theme of compassion and justice occur throughout the whole movie.

Another theme, closely related, is the interplay of guilt/fear/anger. Bruce feels both guilt and anger at his parents death, and his inability to have stopped it. He struggles with his own fears as a result. In many ways, this film is the story of one man's journey to wholeness, knowing he has to deal with these issues.