Not excited AT ALL about upcoming film "The Batman"

[TP-6597]

Going again tomorrow. I’ll be looking for Easter eggs. I only caught two back to the ‘66 show and two back to comic books from the past 15 years or so. From discussions on here and other boards, I get the idea I missed several.

[cdub]

I enjoyed this movie very much and can't wait to see it again in my living room when it comes to HBO Max. I also bought The Batman cowl popcorn vessel, which ended up being sold out when my kids decided they wanted one after the movie.

[JimmyVale]

The slight on Pattinson is equally juvenile. “The little Twilight guy”? Come on, man. That was 12 years ago, he’s an adult in his mid 30s, stands over 6’, and has made 16 films since then. Wow.

That was me. Sorry, I’m being kind of mean - I’m sure Rob Pattinson is a good dude in real life but….I see guys like that in the gym all the time. Pattinson can’t bench 200 lbs. For me, that little detail ruins the whole suspension of disbelief because Batman is supposed to be dedicated to being physically capable of beating up the bad guys. Bale hit the weights and looked like he could do it. So did Affleck. Even Tom Hardy put in a little effort. True, those actors most likely cheated with steroids but I know from experience you can get BIG drug free if you work on it. He had plenty of time, too.

It’s probably because I work out all the time. The fact that the actor portraying Batman didn’t work on it ruins it for me. He didn’t put forth any effort, I can’t relate at all. Keaton never looked very convincing either but that was a different type movie and maybe you could imagine he was like Bruce Lee or something.

But hey - if people enjoy the movie, great! I hope they do, have fun!

[AndyFish]

I think that's a valid point on Pattison or Pattinson or whatever his name is.

So for what it's worth, I saw the movie, his Bruce Wayne was a whiney Emo kid who looked scrawny, his Batman was good but I think almost anyone can wear the suit but I did like his non-Christian Bale voice, that was refreshing. Jeffrey Wright was good as Gordon I thought Alfred was badly done but the biggest misfire for me was I found the movie long and very boring. The mystery was a good aspect but I felt like it wasn't very well developed and telegraphed the answer from nearly the beginning.

For those of you who liked and enjoyed it, bully for you, I just don't like these modern Batman films and this bleak and rainy rendition did nothing to change my opinion.

[Larry A.]

I agree with Andy on several points, now that I saw it. I agree that the bleak, rainy version of Gotham wasn't of any help. In fact, if One remembers, there were a number of the Batman comics that went too far the opposite way. I have yet to see a Gotham City that comes close to the comics as they were after, say, 1943. Even our beloved 66 was almost, imho, was happy, happy, Joyville, in appearance (no doubt due to the fact Fox couldn't or wouldn't ante up for a more realistic Gotham set.

If I want dark and spooky Batman stories, I'll reread the "Mad Monk" and the "Dr. Death" stories.

[JimmyVale]

This’ll be my last post on the subject. There’s something about this movie that really bugged me. For a while, I wasn’t sure what it was but in reflecting upon it, it’s a combination of things.

The original idea was that crime exists and a man who has the resources and motivation to do something about it, voluntarily gets going and dishes it back out to the bad guys and makes things right. Scaring them with the costume, working out (when the evildoers aren’t) learning martial arts and then crashing onto the scene and mopping the floor with the jerks of the world! That’s what makes the Batman character so appealing!

This flick - it didn’t just depict criminals, it depicted American cities as corrupt, inept, criminal entities. I think that’s what did it. I also suspect Pattinson being wimpy might be the filmmakers’ way of appealing to what they think are today’s deconditioned millennial generation.

Adding those little things up is what irks me about this film. Our cities aren't messed up like that. I don’t think the young people are that directionless, either.

It wasn’t about rain, or bleakness for me - it was that the movie kind of insulted my country. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. I also think it’s weird everybody on the internet is saying this movie is so great and going on and on about it when it’s not really that great. I find that odd, too.

Sorry - I beat this dead horse enough. If y’all need me, I’ll be watching Batman and Robin in 1949 moving in on the Wizard. That always makes me feel better about things!!!

[AndyFish]

There were so many missed opportunities in the movie and most of it lazy writing-- no surprises for ANY character. I'm with you Jimmy. Left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Jim K, Bat fan]

Finally saw The Batman tonight. Toss me in the "liked it" category. It's not perfect, it's way too long, but overall, I'm glad I saw it and I do think DC could be taking the character in a direction more appealing to this '66 Batman group.

I look forward to when we can have a thread to discuss more in detail.

[TP-6597]

Jim,
I agree on it being 66 friendly. It’s much more a detective story than we’ve had since 66. Even more than Keaton89. Without naming or spoiling, how many 66 callbacks/Easter eggs did you catch?
I only saw two, with a “maybe” third, but I suspect there were more.

[Jimmy L. 66]

Whether they were intended or not, I count at least 5 that sparked my 66 joy.

[Jim K, Bat fan]

Without naming or spoiling, how many 66 callbacks/Easter eggs did you catch?
I only saw two, with a “maybe” third, but I suspect there were more.

Ha - only one! I did read an article about other Easter eggs, but those were all about the comics. I haven't actually done a search on the internet for '66 references.

And yes, the detective aspect was what I really liked.

[TP-6597]

For sure a few callbacks to past comics. Probably more I didn’t catch because I’m a sporadic reader. I tend to jump around to different eras and don’t usually go from series to series as-written. I haven’t read much after the Earth One series. I love Frank’s work and the story is fantastic. It reads like a film so it’s no surprise I see nods to it in The Batman.

[Bryan Grantham]

Wow! When I felt compelled to start this thread I had no idea the responses would be so varied and passionate...I should have known better, based on the subject at hand. Thanks one and all for all the points of view...regardless of how we all feel about any one movie, we all agree we love Batman. I hope my ramblings don't come across as sour grapes...I just have my preferences, as do we all.

[AndyFish]

No sour grapes, Batman has been around for 80+ years and no matter if you're a fan of the comics, the movies, the tv series, cartoons, radio shows or the adventure novels I think there's no "right" or "wrong" version of Batman other than what you personally think of as your version of Batman. When we can discuss spoilers I'll go further in how I think there were missed opportunities to make this an above average movie, but again, only my opinion.

[Ben Bentley]

No sour grapes, Batman has been around for 80+ years and no matter if you're a fan of the comics, the movies, the tv series, cartoons, radio shows or the adventure novels I think there's no "right" or "wrong" version of Batman other than what you personally think of as your version of Batman. When we can discuss spoilers I'll go further in how I think there were missed opportunities to make this an above average movie, but again, only my opinion.

Today is your lucky day Mr Fish...

Here's our new thread for unencumbered reviews of the new movie:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8250