Remember in last year's list, where I said that I was probably not going to see another Batman movie, except this one. Well, actually seeing this movie reminded me of why Batman is such an iconic character. It is a celebration of the character, along with being a parody, and it has a number of gags relating to the rich Batman mythos. Also, given that grimdark Batman is dead horse mangled and distorted at this point, lighter, campier Batman (clearly inspired by and constantly referencing ("Bat Shark-Repellent) the TV series starring Adam West) is more than welcome. Really, the critical reevaluation of the 1966 television series, long derided by Batman fans since the comics run of Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adam in the 70's, and the Dark Knight Returns in the mid-80's, as a different interpretation of the character is more than welcome. Frankly, I will go as far as saying that this is the best Batman movie since the Dark Knight. I've grown to see the Dark Knight Rises as flawed, and Batman v. Superman was one of the worst films I saw last year. Given that Batman has reached "Peak Batman", this was refreshing. A satirical look into Batman, which also really does do it's homework, and shows aspects of the character that are rarely explored.
Based on the comic character created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, done using Legos, the popular Danish toy blocks, Batman (Will Arnett) is the defender of Gotham City, fighting a number of colorful villains in order to rid Gotham's streets of crime. He is also a pompous, self-aggrandizing loner, who refuses any sort of self-reflection or company, even when his butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes) tries to confront Batman over his behavior. He begins the film by singlehandedly defeating what seems to be his entire rogue gallery from a wide range of mediums ( like Kite Man, Calendar Man, and Condiment King. Believe or not, those are all actual Batman villains, along with the all other ones they reference in the movie). He accidentally offends the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) by saying that the Joker is not in fact his greatest enemy. The Joker, seeking Batman's complete and utter contempt, sees that Superman (Channing Tatum) throws many of his enemies into the Phantom Zone, giving him an idea for the ultimate crime. During Commissioner James Gordon's (Hector Elizondo) retirement party, Batman, in his guise as Bruce Wayne, inadvertently adopts orphan Dick Grayson, Age 12 (Michael Cera), and sees the presentation by new Commission and Gordon's daughter Barbara (Rosario Dawson), who wants Batman to cooperate more with the Gotham police, which Batman scoffs at. Joker and the Anti-Batman Army arrive to seemingly crash the party, but surprises everyone when the Joker surrenders on all their behalf. Batman is suspicious, and decides to banish the Joker to the Phantom Zone, using Superman's Phantom Zone gun-thing. After rebuking the eternally enthusiastic Grayson, he decides to bring him on, since he is small enough to get through the vents at the Fortress of Solitude. Grayson dons one of Batman's alternate costume "Reggae Man", (without the pants), and calls himself "Robin". Batman begins to grow closer to Robin after the latter successfully gains the gun. Batman uses it on the Joker. However, the Joker had anticipated this, and got Harley Quinn (Jenny Slate) to get him out. In the Phantom Zone, he gets the other villains (including Voldemort, Sauron, and the Wicked Witch of the East) to join him in exchange for their freedom (though oddly, Zod was not among them). Now, with larger than life villains attacking Gotham, Batman, Robin, Barbara and Alfred must stop the villains. And Batman must confront his socialization and emotional issues relating to having a family.
First, it was very refreshing, after years of Batmen who are all brooding, emotionless matyr, to see a Batman who is completely full of himself. It's a good change of pace. It also has a lot of nods to the entire history of Batman, from the original Kane-Finger incarnation to '66 series to The Animated Series and the DCAU. The film uses the rich history of Batman create many visual references and gags, which will be a delight to anyone who can spot them. I also liked that it emphasized why Batman needs a Robin, and really, the entire "Batman family." It emphasizes that he needs them as support, both as literal support and emotional support. Robin especially. Many people dislike Robin, because they feel a little kid trivializes the dark, brooding "I'm sad, because I lost my parents" detective (even though Robin was introduced in April, 1940, a mere 7 months after Batman debuted, so he was as old as the franchise.) When I saw this movie, I thought about Bill Finger's reason for creating Robin in the first place. Batman was like Sherlock Holmes, and Holmes needed Watson, because Watson was someone he could get support from, someone to bounce off of, someone the audience could look through and watch the character from a neutral standpoint. Robin was essentially Batman's Watson. This movie, I think, best summarizes why Robin is needed. He is Batman's family, and Batman feels an obligation to take of him, because (and this is not in the movie, but from the comics), Dick Grayson's parents also died very tragically from an accident while performing in the circus. Getting away from that for my last point, it was fun. It was fun, and I enjoyed every minute of it. That is more than I can say of Dawn of Boredom.
I wish more was done with the actual Legos. In The Lego Movie, they used Legos in very interesting and creative ways, and the whole theme of that film involved creativity. Here, yeah, they use the Lego setting a few times, (like a very creative climax), but I feel more could've been done with the fact that it was all Legos, and put that to creative use. I also feel that there were a little too many characters during the climax. It was somewhat amusing to see Sauron and King Kong, but there was Voldemort, apparently, and I didn't recognize him.That's severe nitpicking, but that did bother me.
Like I said, best Batman since The Dark Knight. I think with this, and The Lego Movie, despite not being big into Legos, I might be on board with the Lego movies. They're a lot more interesting and fun than most of the blockbusters coming out today. I would recommend it as a good kids film, or a good film for a comics fan. All I have left to just say to go and watch it.
Based on the comic character created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, done using Legos, the popular Danish toy blocks, Batman (Will Arnett) is the defender of Gotham City, fighting a number of colorful villains in order to rid Gotham's streets of crime. He is also a pompous, self-aggrandizing loner, who refuses any sort of self-reflection or company, even when his butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes) tries to confront Batman over his behavior. He begins the film by singlehandedly defeating what seems to be his entire rogue gallery from a wide range of mediums ( like Kite Man, Calendar Man, and Condiment King. Believe or not, those are all actual Batman villains, along with the all other ones they reference in the movie). He accidentally offends the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) by saying that the Joker is not in fact his greatest enemy. The Joker, seeking Batman's complete and utter contempt, sees that Superman (Channing Tatum) throws many of his enemies into the Phantom Zone, giving him an idea for the ultimate crime. During Commissioner James Gordon's (Hector Elizondo) retirement party, Batman, in his guise as Bruce Wayne, inadvertently adopts orphan Dick Grayson, Age 12 (Michael Cera), and sees the presentation by new Commission and Gordon's daughter Barbara (Rosario Dawson), who wants Batman to cooperate more with the Gotham police, which Batman scoffs at. Joker and the Anti-Batman Army arrive to seemingly crash the party, but surprises everyone when the Joker surrenders on all their behalf. Batman is suspicious, and decides to banish the Joker to the Phantom Zone, using Superman's Phantom Zone gun-thing. After rebuking the eternally enthusiastic Grayson, he decides to bring him on, since he is small enough to get through the vents at the Fortress of Solitude. Grayson dons one of Batman's alternate costume "Reggae Man", (without the pants), and calls himself "Robin". Batman begins to grow closer to Robin after the latter successfully gains the gun. Batman uses it on the Joker. However, the Joker had anticipated this, and got Harley Quinn (Jenny Slate) to get him out. In the Phantom Zone, he gets the other villains (including Voldemort, Sauron, and the Wicked Witch of the East) to join him in exchange for their freedom (though oddly, Zod was not among them). Now, with larger than life villains attacking Gotham, Batman, Robin, Barbara and Alfred must stop the villains. And Batman must confront his socialization and emotional issues relating to having a family.
First, it was very refreshing, after years of Batmen who are all brooding, emotionless matyr, to see a Batman who is completely full of himself. It's a good change of pace. It also has a lot of nods to the entire history of Batman, from the original Kane-Finger incarnation to '66 series to The Animated Series and the DCAU. The film uses the rich history of Batman create many visual references and gags, which will be a delight to anyone who can spot them. I also liked that it emphasized why Batman needs a Robin, and really, the entire "Batman family." It emphasizes that he needs them as support, both as literal support and emotional support. Robin especially. Many people dislike Robin, because they feel a little kid trivializes the dark, brooding "I'm sad, because I lost my parents" detective (even though Robin was introduced in April, 1940, a mere 7 months after Batman debuted, so he was as old as the franchise.) When I saw this movie, I thought about Bill Finger's reason for creating Robin in the first place. Batman was like Sherlock Holmes, and Holmes needed Watson, because Watson was someone he could get support from, someone to bounce off of, someone the audience could look through and watch the character from a neutral standpoint. Robin was essentially Batman's Watson. This movie, I think, best summarizes why Robin is needed. He is Batman's family, and Batman feels an obligation to take of him, because (and this is not in the movie, but from the comics), Dick Grayson's parents also died very tragically from an accident while performing in the circus. Getting away from that for my last point, it was fun. It was fun, and I enjoyed every minute of it. That is more than I can say of Dawn of Boredom.
I wish more was done with the actual Legos. In The Lego Movie, they used Legos in very interesting and creative ways, and the whole theme of that film involved creativity. Here, yeah, they use the Lego setting a few times, (like a very creative climax), but I feel more could've been done with the fact that it was all Legos, and put that to creative use. I also feel that there were a little too many characters during the climax. It was somewhat amusing to see Sauron and King Kong, but there was Voldemort, apparently, and I didn't recognize him.That's severe nitpicking, but that did bother me.
Like I said, best Batman since The Dark Knight. I think with this, and The Lego Movie, despite not being big into Legos, I might be on board with the Lego movies. They're a lot more interesting and fun than most of the blockbusters coming out today. I would recommend it as a good kids film, or a good film for a comics fan. All I have left to just say to go and watch it.
