A kids' film starring a huge toy brand about one of our greatest super heroes? Could DC sink any lower?
Well, if you've seen what The LEGO Movie did with its own basis, you'll know that this is perhaps one of the purest Batman adaptations to come to the big screen.
The film is just as much a love-letter to Batman as the predecessor was to LEGO. Lots of research to all eras and adaptations of Batman (which, by the way, all happened in this world) and just as much detail, comedy, and fun as the first.
Now, the animation. It's good, don't get me wrong. But I'm slightly annoyed by how the LEGO boundaries were stretched a bit. Minifigures now have a bit more motion than the plausible animation of before, not every elemental effect is made from LEGO bricks, and there are even more simple things, like Batman's cowl changing shape rather than the eye print on his head. These all feel a bit lower-charm because the integrity of the animation isn't as strong, and it no longer looks as much like an immersive LEGO world with the stretched articulation and non-LEGO environmental effects. It's still fine, but I prefer the original.
The story is really pretty simple. but it's told well. Batman struggles with his relationship with the Joker throughout it— and it's presented like a romantic conflict. It's a brilliant twist on the themes of stories like Death of the Family, which is also pretty bold for a film intended for general audiences. Also, Batman has to learn to love people and have a new family rather than moping like a depressed teen (which is also pointed out) about his life. None of the deeper elements to the original come into play, but they wouldn't fit in this context.
The characters are all good. Will Arnett's Batman is back and still as funny, but with a good capacity for portraying vulnerability beneath the Bat-growl. It's also a credit to him that the voice never gets grating or stupid, partially because it's not supposed to be too serious. Robin is a lot of fun and a sweet character (would you believe he's George-Michael Bluth?), and Batgirl rounds out the cast, even though she's not really funny. Joker is fun, despite the relatively normal voice by Zach Galifianakis, and he has a good handle on the evil.
If possible, this film is even funnier than its predecessor, but I think a portion of that humor is only accessible to DC nerds, so perhaps it's even.
The end credits song also manages to be a highlight, due to the talents of Oh, Hush! and Jeff Lewis, who somehow know just how to condense the essence of happiness into an awesome song. The dearth of upbeat music on the charts isn't present in family entertainment, and this really delivers.
Overall, this film may not be quite as emotional as the first, but it's still great, and I think any Bat-fan should watch if they miss the fun in DC Comics.
This is the Batman we deserve.
A kids' film starring a huge toy brand about one of our greatest super heroes? Could DC sink any lower? Well, if you've seen what The LEGO Movie did with its own basis, you'll know that this is perhaps one of the purest Batman adaptations to come to the big screen.
The film is just as much a love-letter to Batman as the predecessor was to LEGO. Lots of research to all eras and adaptations of Batman (which, by the way, all happened in this world) and just as much detail, comedy, and fun as the first.
Now, the animation. It's good, don't get me wrong. But I'm slightly annoyed by how the LEGO boundaries were stretched a bit. Minifigures now have a bit more motion than the plausible animation of before, not every elemental effect is made from LEGO bricks, and there are even more simple things, like Batman's cowl changing shape rather than the eye print on his head. These all feel a bit lower-charm because the integrity of the animation isn't as strong, and it no longer looks as much like an immersive LEGO world with the stretched articulation and non-LEGO environmental effects. It's still fine, but I prefer the original.
The story is really pretty simple. but it's told well. Batman struggles with his relationship with the Joker throughout it— and it's presented like a romantic conflict. It's a brilliant twist on the themes of stories like Death of the Family, which is also pretty bold for a film intended for general audiences. Also, Batman has to learn to love people and have a new family rather than moping like a depressed teen (which is also pointed out) about his life. None of the deeper elements to the original come into play, but they wouldn't fit in this context.
The characters are all good. Will Arnett's Batman is back and still as funny, but with a good capacity for portraying vulnerability beneath the Bat-growl. It's also a credit to him that the voice never gets grating or stupid, partially because it's not supposed to be too serious. Robin is a lot of fun and a sweet character (would you believe he's George-Michael Bluth?), and Batgirl rounds out the cast, even though she's not really funny. Joker is fun, despite the relatively normal voice by Zach Galifianakis, and he has a good handle on the evil.
If possible, this film is even funnier than its predecessor, but I think a portion of that humor is only accessible to DC nerds, so perhaps it's even.
The end credits song also manages to be a highlight, due to the talents of Oh, Hush! and Jeff Lewis, who somehow know just how to condense the essence of happiness into an awesome song. The dearth of upbeat music on the charts isn't present in family entertainment, and this really delivers.
Overall, this film may not be quite as emotional as the first, but it's still great, and I think any Bat-fan should watch if they miss the fun in DC Comics.