10 Movie Heroes Who Failed (And Were Saved By Wimps)

It only took 62 years but in 2005, we got the Batman origin story on the big screen. How did Bruce Wayne transition from a troubled, rich kid to the growling, ass-kicking Dark Knight? This film does a masterful job at showing us. Like Casino Royale, this is a gritty reboot that isn't afraid to show the hero's rough edges. Nor is it afraid to show the hero messing things up.

Bruce (Christian Bale) fails at the hands of supervillain, Ra's al Ghul (Liam Neeson). Ra's ambushes Bruce is in his mansion, sets fire to it, and pins an unconscious Bruce under a flaming log before strutting off to fulfil his sinister plans, unimpeded. Sadly for Ra's, Bruce is saved... by his butler, Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine)! A senior citizen who is much more adept at serving breakfast and lecturing than doing anything adrenaline-pumping.

However, it is he who saves the Bat's bacon and ensures that Gotham isn't destroyed. Good job, boomer.