Beware The Batman Episode 3 Review "Tests"

Daedalus: “Down with creative oppression! This is justice!”

Batman: “No. I am justice!”

Episode 3 of Beware The Bat is a strong episode for Batman. Not really for the villian, Anarky. He’s basically re-hashing The Joker. And not doing so well. He calls his cronies artists instead of jokers. Heck, his moniker isn’t even mysterious. He is anarchy, Batman is order. He prides himself on being a force of chaos, but Batman proves that he isn’t just a force of order, but justice. He’s a lot more complex than he looks.

Katana Batman’s bodyguard also proved her worth in this episode, hence the name “Tests”. She passes Batman’s obstacles as well as Batman would, and tracks him down to Anarky’s location in the end. Anarky talks a big game as if he’s a big creative and illogical force, but Batman taunts him and tells him he’s being way too predictable which was exactly what I thought.

With the 3D animation, I thought Anarky looked sort of like he was clayamation. I get that he’s supposed to be in contrast to The Dark Knight, but this type of bright white does not look good in 3D. It was as if he was made of milk. Joker’s white face paint was at least subtle and a creepy subversion of a happy clown smile. Here we have a nearly featureless ghost character who shouts his own scheme.

Come to think of it, the plot even rips off The Dark Knight. Anarky’s artists Daedalus and Junkyard Dog rob a musuem to lure Batman out then plant bombs on some boats, and he must “choose” which boats to save. Not much to say here, except that where the episode shines is showing that Batman is a lot more logical and complex than he has been shown to be in the past. He isn’t just about revenge and order. He can improvise. So too, can Katana, who will no doubt uncover Bruce Wayne’s secret soon.

In conclusion, while it was a great episode for the heroes’ development, the villain was visually drab, an obvious copycat, and way too predictable for his namesake! Joker at least had some style! I kind of suspected that Anarky was a weak Joker substitute to begin with. But, here’s hoping the newer episodes will allow the villains to grow out of their cookie-cutter Batman motifs! I’ll catch up soon, I swear.

BEWARE THE BATMAN REACTION: EPISODE 1: HUNTED

BEWARE THE BATMAN REACTION: EPISODE 1: HUNTED

    Watching the first episode of Beware The Batman reminded me of playing Arkham City. Especially in the opening scene. It was nice to see they tried to keep the “dark deco” atmosphere of Paul Dini’s Batman, 3D aside. The inside of Wayne Manor reminded me of how it looked in Tim Burton’s Batman. Especially because of that scene where he sleeps upside down. But, here he does not. The interior just has that blank posh look. Batman is a little more of a rookie in this version.

Happy to see Alfred right off the bat (Ha!) training Batman. He’s like James Bond/Splinter. He seemed to be doing a Michael Caine routine though, which I thought was a bit cheap. But, Batman Begins was in 2005, so I suppose by now it’s fair game. I didn’t like how Pyg was portrayed…they tuned him down quite a bit in terms of violence and just made him an animal-themed villain. Though a major part of that character is animal rights, I suspect people unfamiliar with him will be turned off by the goofiness. He does after all, still speak in limericks. But, I was happy to learn that Mr. Toad, Pyg’s sidekick, is voiced by the legendary Udo Kier!

     In regards to Batman, this version he’s a little more like Sherlock Holmes’s recent interpretation. He logically works out how to take down his opponents. It was a nice touch. He has to save Alfred in this first episode, who Pyg thinks is Bruce Wayne at first. Batman wasted no time tracking down Alfred. It’s unclear what Batman’s public reputation is at this point, but I like that Batman and Alfred help each other out. That felt good. Katana being hinted at in the end was also nice. I have to say too, this is the best bat suit I think. Overall, I give the episode 8/10, though Pyg’s mildness and goofiness on top of that was…a huge reminder that it is a kid’s show.

    In conclusion, Beware The Batman seems to walk a fine line. It is a kid’s show, but it recalls, to me Batman Begins, and Batman: The Animated Series with it’s seeming commitment to “dark deco” style (a.k.a. making things dark.) even in the 3D. I even though the plot structure was similar to The Animated Series because Pyg and Toad were trying to stop people from building on animal reserves…just like Catwoman and Red Claw in their first outings in The Animated Series. And yet, The Animated Series never particularly felt goofy.

    Nothing will compare to The Animated Series, obviously. It was so influential to Batman’s modern take. Beware The Bat has it’s own 70s buddy cop dynamic with Alfred/Batman going on…and it’s only the first episode…we’ll see where it goes. Maybe Robin will appear? Several have commented to me already that this is like Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One. I don’t see it. Year One was more about Batman figuring out how to put the fear of God into the scum of the city. True, Batman in in training, but this reminds me much more of Batman Begins or maybe the upcoming Arkham prequel...it doesn’t take the same risks with mature content (As Paul Dini did, with The Animated Series.) but it’s a nice buddy cop show for kids! I’m definitely up to watch more.

                             

Images of Disability

My Top 10 Negative  Disability Images:


10. TIMMY (AND JIMMY)


(PORTRAYED AS INARTICULATE MONSTERS.)
9. JOE


(OBJECT OF DEGRADATION.)
8. JOKER


(HOPELESSLY VIOLENT PSYCHOTIC.)
7. THE SECRET GARDEN


(CURED BY MAGIC.)
6. PUMPKIN


(2007; Magic sorority girl inspires “retarded” guy named “Pumpkin” to walk out of love.)







5. MILLION DOLLAR BABY


(EUTHANIZED AFTER PARALYSIS.)
4. SPECIAL ED


(ONLY EVER SAID “YAY.”; IMBECILIC)







3. TINY TIM


(WEAK; OBJECT OF SYMPATHY SYMBOLIZING ABLE-BODIED PURITY.)

2.CHRISTOPHER REEVE


("I've noticed that there are very few roles for people in chairs... I would like to see people with disabilities featured sympathetically.")





1. JERRY’S KIDS


(Cure muscular dystrophy; don’t give it meaning.)



My Top 10 Positive Disability Images:

10. Daredevil (Marvel)


(Blind crime fighter.)

9. Forest Gump


(Symbolized American history; mentally disabled.)


8. Rory O’Shea (From Rory O’Shea Was Here.)


(British “punk” who lives independently with MD; depicts independent living well.)

7. John Nash (A Beautiful Mind.)


(Successful economist living with schizophrenia.)
6. Christie Brown (My Left Foot.)


(Successful artist with cerebral palsy.)







5. Geordi La Forge (Star Trek: The Next Generation.)


(Blind Chief Engineer in Star Trek: The Next Generation.)
4. Rain Man


(Well-rounded depiction of life with autism; neither too sentimental nor harsh.)




3. Deadpool (Marvel)


(Schizophrenic super ninja with regenerative powers.)
2. Homer


(Author of The Odyssey epic; father of Western civilization’s poetry; blind.)






1. Professor X (Marvel)

 
(Physically disabled founder of The X-men; powerful psychic mutant.)

MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF DISABILITY IS STILL OVERWHELMINGLY NEGATIVE. Many of the positive images to me, are within the sci-fi genre. Images to add? Debate welcome.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES:

I’d like to clarify before I begin: This blog is about sci-fi, disability, and culture. It has never been a movie blog, and I hope to cover more themes than disability rights in superhero movies. But, the moment you saw Superhero Week, you knew that I had to write about the third Nolan Batman epic. That is my disclaimer. That said, it is a great movie with themes of rising above one’s physical body to help others as one‘s duty. I will attempt to keep it spoiler free.

I can say that there is a lot of action, and a lot of it is relevant to modern issues from terrorism to The Patriot Act and grassroots movements like Occupy Wall Street. Like any good parable though, the movie’s symbols will show you actually what you seek in them, so I can’t really say with any certainty other than the symbols do a good job capturing the modern era, and with that a need for a modern hero, one that encourages others to move beyond concern for themselves as a symbol of righteous law and order. I will say that I think every character represents a part of Batman, and Batman, a part of me, which I have already said; it is a good character study and parable.

I will paint the character study broadly, so as not to give spoilers, but it is a tale meant for the modern world; and as such will have many different, complex meanings. But, we can all agree now, I think, that Batman is possible in the modern world. He fits in our world. We need him now more than ever. He addresses our time.

I think it’s not a surprise to anyone to say that Batman fights Bane. Bruce Wayne himself meanwhile, must decide whether or not to come out of seclusion to save millions from Bane’s plans, even though he is regarded the Batman persona is regarded to be a villain, and Bane is widely regarded as a hero. Tom Hardy as Bane seemed to be channeling Hannibal Lecter with Sean Connery; it was a very commanding presence, very effective. He’s not uncivilized just wants a new order, and power under the guise of a leader.

I could write a whole other post on what this movie meant to me, specifically. But, right now, all I can say is the title is appropriate. Bane is physically stronger, but Batman rises to defend the city. The city hates him, and he rises. He rises from seclusion in the Batcave. He rises to become the idea that anyone can be a superhero, if their heart is in it. It doesn’t matter whether the world fears or hates you or thinks you’re broken. You are in charge of your destiny, and there is a social order. Life can make sense through the pain.

Bane doesn’t believe in the social order or that life is up to anyone else but him; he sort of holds a mirror up to Batman, and his concept of justice. He seems to live in pain and darkness, and is strong, but offers no solutions. Beyond his own pain and selfish motives of vengeance.

I really can’t say a whole lot more (without ruining it.) than Batman is the representation of the Heroes’ Journey in the modern era; and his solution seems to be to rise above himself, and for others to follow his example. I’ve seen a lot of fun movies this year, but probably none as socially and psychologically potent as this film. Avengers was fun. Spider-Man was fun. While action-packed and fun in a darker way, this movie actually seems to instruct the person watching to find the inner hero, whatever that is.

And then, as the end credits roll, you realize that Batman is the hero of our Zeitgeist, in our place, with solutions to our problems. Will machines, death, pain, and mass movements overtake our souls? Not if we rise…and make them serve humane purposes. In conclusion: Go see it. Let it speak to you, as it undoubtedly was meant to do for us heroes. I can’t really say how many stars, because I’m still thinking on it. Go see it.