Fans can say what the like about Nolan’s Dark Knight saga or the coveted Snyder Cut but at the end of the day, when it comes to Batman, always bet on Burton. Tim Burton’s Batman redefined the superhero genre as the world knew it. However, since the prolific director was removed from Gotham City, Batman has been somewhat inconsistent.
Batman has been a mixed bag of gadgets and gimmicks ranging from the silly to the serious in the hands of other directors. With a new Dark Knight on the horizon, Matt Reeves should definitely take some notes from the master.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
While the Nolan-verse did this to an extent, one thing that separates Batman from the rest of his costumed peers is his dark and brooding nature. Recently, Batman has been more of an action hero than the Dark Knight that keeps vigil over the gritty streets of Gotham city. Any new adaptation needs to remember that sometimes a subtle appearance and build before rising to the action sequences go a long way.
The Car
If there’s one thing that’s strayed far from the original source material, it’s the Batmobile. The Batmobile should be the epitome of the coolest car ever designed.
It’s a sleek-black technological wonder that can be seen prowling the streets in search of danger. But recent versions have been less of a car and more of a tank. It’s gone from svelt and stylish to big and bombastic, with every type of missile imaginable.
The Strong Silent Type
Batman has been portrayed by a number of talented actors with various ranges. With Robert Paterson next in line, he needs to keep a few things in mind before slipping on the cowl. Burton showed Batman is at his best when he’s silent and mysterious. When he does speak, his voice should evoke power, not sound like a chain-smoker.
Balance of Bat and Bruce
Yes, audiences flock to the theatres to see Batman but what of his alter-ego, Bruce Wayne? One can’t exist without the other, so the portrayal of Gotham’s billionaire playboy should be as complex as Gotham’s Caped Crusader.
While Bale’s version is considered iconic, Keaton’s is perfect. He’s a rich socialite, but he’s also intelligent, funny, and certainly more likable than most portrayals. He’s no Tony Stark, but he’s essential to the mythos.
It’s Good to Be Bad
What good is a hero if he has no villains to battle? Recent Batman films have brought some of the best of his Rogues Gallery to life, like Scarecrow, Ra’s Al Ghul, and Bane. And who can forget Heath Ledger’s Joker, right? But lately, the villains have felt more fiendish than fun. Since the new film will reportedly be featuring the likes of the Penguin and the Riddler, it would serve the director well to focus at least a little on their memorable gimmicks and over-the-top personae.
Why So Serious?
That brings us to the next point on our list. Recently, Batman’s films have been a bit too far on the dark and gritty side. It’s a superhero movie, let it be one that’s fun and a little beyond belief.
Look at films like Spider-Man: Homecoming, it had serious threats and drama, but it had the right amount of levity as well. Even Batman himself isn’t above throwing in a sprinkling of humor and fun once in a while.
Shadow of the Bat
One thing the new Batman needs to take from Burton’s is the shadowy and mysterious element that made the character memorable. Compare Keaton’s Caped Crusader to Bale’s bat in ballistics. He was tall, dark, and mysterious, blending with the shadows and carrying an almost supernatural air with him. That’s what fans think of when they hear the name, Batman.
Be DC, Not Marvel
The biggest problem fans have with some of the films in the DCEU is that it’s trying too much to be like the MCU. A movie set in the DC Universe should be its own entity.
The Justice League would be out of place in The Avengers’ NYC just as Spider-Man would be in Gotham City. The next Batman movie should strive for an original identity.
It’s Not About Money (Or Sending a Message)
Certain superhero films have become a little preachy in recent years. There’s nothing wrong with that, but after a while, it begins to lose its novelty. Fans need to be reminded that superhero movies can be powerful without relying on some inlaid message or social/political statement. Sometimes a battle of good and evil is all a movie really needs.
It’s a Comic First, A Movie Second
This is what separates the MCU from the DCEU and Burton from Nolan and Snyder. The 1989 film took almost all of its inspiration, from plot to design, from the comics themselves. Tim Burton reportedly had stacks of comic books on set to ensure he was doing right by the source material, something many modern DC movies have forgotten. If The Batman wants to be a success, it needs to pull more from the panels.
