The State of Batman Today

by John McGonagle

Hi Bat-Fans! You may know me from C. T. & V. Magazine, or from my ads in Toy Shop, but you may not know me as a huge Batman fan, collector, fanatic! I've been one since 1966, with the T.V. show being the cause of my Batty-ness. But I basically like any and all versions of the Batman, whether it's live action, cartoons, comics, short stories, and of course movies. And movies are what I'd like to discuss with all of you in this issue. (Perhaps, if Carlos lets me in future issues, I'll discuss other mediums of Bat-Interest.)

The 1989 Batman Movie, was something that I like many of you looked forward to for a long time. Since there were rumors about the new film for as long ago as the 70's, but when details finally started being confirmed, in the media around 86, we all started looking forward with baited breath, to the finished product. Then on the 24th of June, in 1989, we got to see what the hoopla the media had thrown at us (for nearly a year before) was all about.

Well I first got to see the film on a Wednesday night, two days before the big opening, so I basically got a good idea of the movie before being packed like a sardine in the theatre the day of the official opening. Now Michael Keaton seemed fine in the role of "Bat-Master General" and I thought he brought a kind of "reg. guy" feel to his Bruce Wayne. I never really had a bad feeling about him getting the part, and overall had no problem with that end of the film. Jack Nicholson as the "Joker" was, I think the ultimate portrayer. I think most fans agree so that was two for two. The rest of the cast seemed fine and were very convincing in their respective roles.

What I originally had trouble with, was I think what most Bat-Fans would be upset with, and those were the Bat-suit? (Armor!), Look!, its ROBO-Bat!, the lack of any real good Batman Bat-rope scenes, (however, that opening scene, where Batman is watching the streets below, then turns with cape flowing was excellent!), and that's not to say there weren't any cool Bat-Scenes on the contrary, the movie is basically a row of "scenes", that make up the movie.

But that's the problem, the story just doesn't make all the scenes go together in a pleasing manner. You keep expecting things that just aren't there, and what's the story with that damned Bat-Wing? The Joker all of a sudden pulls out a 4 ft. revolver, takes a carefully aimed shot, and the Bat-Wing is a discarded gum wrapper, in front of the Cathedral. And it looked so good in front of the moon too. Oh well, it wasn't 'til about 4 or 5 months later, that I realized, that if it hadn't been for all the pre-released hype, I probably wouldn't have liked it at all. So, the power of suggestion, is alive and well and living in Hollywood.

So now we had our first taste of the 90's Batman, and with most movie going fans a success, now what would be next? How about two villains and a new Robin? A black Robin? O.K., so Tim Burton and D.C. designed a new outfit for him and an actor was cast? Forget it. No room for our little chum. Oh well, (the outfit works in the comics, at least). Now how about those villains? To me they were great (but then, Burgess Meredith and Julie Newmar will always rule). Mrs. Pheiffer was especially good, and to me, the perfect Catwoman of the mean crazed 90's. Mr. DeVito was almost as good, but a wee bit too strange. The character of Max Schreck was okay but too contrived. The story was good in some areas, but fell short in others. (And yet again someone finds out who Batman is! What's with Bruce and his women?)

Luckily, Catwoman doesn't know for long, as she gets it in the end or does she??? Humm... This Movie also contains my two least favorite scenes, Batman finally gets into some real fighting, but it's with Catwoman, now I don't think I'm a chauvinist, but Batman never fought Catwoman in the comics. He used his skill and her moves against her.

The other scene that got me was the aforementioned ending, where Batman rips off his foam rubber cowl, to shake Selena back to reality! So what if they might escape unharmed and may need some quick "Blackmail" cash or if Catwoman wants to do Bruce/Batman in? Who knows? Who Cares? By the time you get to this point in the movie, you're just waiting to see it all come to an end. (By the way, that Bat-Ski Boat was the "needless" Bat-vehicle of the movie, not to mention the Bat Missile. Sheesh!

You think Kenner's Licensing Group would leave Warner Bros. alone). Oh well, once again the Batman film falls short.

But now it's 1994, and its time for Batman III! Robin Williams is out as the "Riddler", (which doesn't bother me, I love Robins work but I don't think he would have been the right choice for the Riddler) and Jim Carey is in! I never really liked Mr. Carey's work, until I saw the "Mask". Now I can deal with it. I myself always wanted to see Paul (Pee-Wee) Reubens portray the Riddler. After all, he and Mr. Burton have work on Bat's two, and he seems like the perfect person to put on that green skin tight jump suit riddled with question marks. Oh well. But the real big news is Val Kilmer replacing Mr. Keaton.

Now I'm not up on Mr. Kilmer's previous work. I only saw about 10 minutes of "Willow", but again, I'm keeping an open mind, and he does look bigger and more menacing than Mr. Keaton. So who knows? Maybe with the new director wanting more realistic fight scenes and stunts (yes!). We'll finally get to see a more truer to the comics version of our favorite Dark Knight, maybe even the more truer to the comics back, blue and gray suit with flowing cape and a cowl that the actor can move in!!!

The working title brings up an interesting thought that the title "Batman Forever" could have been better saved for the fourth film, (you know Batman four-ever?). But then maybe this is a subconscious sign from the film makers, this is it. There won't be a fourth move. We get it right now and that's it.

By the way, many of you may be wondering how are they going to explain the "New-Guy" in Bat-Duds, Well, here's a way I would like to see it done. But as I've learned from experience, they never do what you think they should do. It's about 5 years after we last left our hero at the end of Batman II. Bruce has been busy training in different parts of the world, honing his skills in the martial arts, building his mind as well as his body, and thanks to some specialized plastic surgery, his I.D. is safe from his past errors in judgment (allowing outsiders to know his secret identity). Now, with all the training he's undergone, self healing techniques, etc. the time for Bruce's armored "Batman" has come to an end. It's time for a more formidable fighting man, one who lives in the shadows of the night, one who will depend more on his skill and his with than black padded armor. When this Batman faces the cold hard mean streets of his Gotham, it will be as a man. A brave strong willed man, who knows exactly who he is and what he's fighting for. Thugs and evil doers alike will have a new fear, a deeper more chilling Dark Avenger to worry about, the new more confident, more menacing, "Batman creature". Batman Forever, coming to a theater near you, 1995. The best just got better. I can dream can't I?

Till next "Bat-Time".