Na na na na na na na na na na BATMAN

[yuuago]

I never really thought of myself as a Batman fan, but it turns out that I have four different Batman movies on my shelf, so... even though I've never read any of the comics, I guess I at least have certain thoughts on Batman films.

The films: Batman: The Movie (1966, with Adam West as Batman), Batman (1989, with Michael Keaton), Batman Begins (2005, with Christian Bale), and The Dark Knight (2008, with Christian Bale, sequel to Batman Begins).

I feel like the '89 and '08 Batman films are remembered more for their Jokers than for the title characters. At least, I've seen people talking about Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger in those roles, but not much discussion about Batman-the-character (aside from mentions that Christian Bale was not that great).

For me, the ultimate Batman movie is '66. Adam West is my Batman.

When I was a kid, my babysitter had the '66 movie on VHS, and I watched and watched and watched it a ton of times. And when I found it on DVD in the Superstore discount bin a few years ago, I couldn't resist. Watched it, and it still holds up - if what you're looking for is silly cheesy fun.

The plot of '66 is bonkers, and there's lots of BAM and POW and it's just so bright and delightful.

The other films are all right, but... they're so dark! And I know that Batman tends to have a dark, kind of broody association. But what I look for in Batman is something fun and wacky. And that's probably nostalgia talking, I know, but I guess my tastes were solidified very early on, as far as this stuff goes.

Comments

[thewriterinpink]

Batman the animated series really set up the whole grimdark gothic elements of Batman, I think. Stuff was still dumb and playful and then all at once every part of Batman changed to fit this new mould which, granted, I prefer it to things never being taken seriously but there needs to be a balance. DC has been known for taking it too far, especially with the most recent movies they've been trying to get off the ground. The movies I grew up with were the Nolan ones and I still consider them the better ones (if only because I've never seen the other movies lol). Personally, I think the public hasn't been able to get over the Nolan movies and just expect Batman to be dark like it's always been like that or something. I mean, when was the last time a Robin got to be on the big screen? That correlates with things getting darker—a happy go lucky child sidekick would ruin the mood they're going for, unfortunately. In the comics, all of the previous Robins are adults and the one that isn't, Bruce's child, acts just as broody as him. They forget that part of what makes Batman human and relatable is the more expressive people he surrounds himself with.

There was an anniversary cartoon movie where Adam West and his robin play their versions of the characters in it if you'd like to check it out. I don't know if it's good or not, I just know it exists. It's called Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader. Also, now that I checked, apparently there is also a sequel! Since Adam West died, these movies are the last Batman related content he did.

[yuuago]

I think you might be onto something re: Robin, and his being Mister Not Appearing In This Movie correlating with the dark film trend. He does make an appearance in the '90s film series, which are more serious than the '60s but still have a their bright and cheesy moments - Tim Burton directed them, and they're indeed rather Burtonesque....

Thanks for the mention of that other Adam West movie, I'll definitely have to check it out! :)

[thewriterinpink]

Yeah, it's a theory I've heard other people say and I agree with it. I'm happy to help with the Adam West movie! :)