The Batman: My SPOILER Review

 As far back as I can remember there has always been Batman fanboy outrage.  I was too young to remember the backlash when Mr. Mom was cast for Tim Burton's Batman film.  I however was one of the voices that was against Heath Ledger as the Joker for Christopher Nolan's Batman film.  But I was in favor of Ben Affleck as Batman when he was announced.  And I was also in favor of Robert Pattinson playing the Dark Knight for director Matt Reeves. Some fans were discouraged with Pattinson's casting because they only knew him from the Twilight franchise, and never bothered to watch some of his other films like High Life or Good Time.  With Matt Reeves at the helm and Pattinson starring I knew The Batman was in good hands.

It's year two of Bruce Wayne's mission to instill fear in all the criminals of Gotham City.  It's all he cares about.  This to me this is a bit refreshing compared to other movie interpretations.  It seems like Bruce is always just trying to get laid, from Vicki Vale to Rachel Dawes.  That was also one of the things I liked about Affleck's Batman, any time he was out as Bruce Wayne it was just a way to get more information for Batman.  Pattinson's Bruce was very similar but in a young and inexperienced way compared to Affleck's more seasoned Caped Crusader.  That's my favorite version of the character.  There is no Bruce Wayne, there is only Batman. In this film Bruce is still young and full of rage, thinking he must become what criminals fear, but by the end of the film he realizes he must also be a symbol of hope for the citizen of Gotham.  My only gripe about Pattinson's Batman is that he moves to freely among the people.  He walks into crowded crime scenes and rescue mobs.  I think Batman should only be seen by few and heard by less.  

Paul Dano's Riddler was one of the more terrifying Batman villains we've had on film.  But I wasn't quite sure WHY he was doing what he was doing.  He uncovered a government conspiracy and started killing everyone involved, but why did he care?  Did he actually think he was doing good for the people of Gotham (whom he later had his minions try and kill)? Colin Farrell's Penguin is said to be getting his own HBO Max series, though I'm not sure why.  I mean, I think he was a good character that can be expanded upon in future films, and I look forward to it, but there wasn't much there that had me asking WB executives for a Penguin spin-off series.  I'd rather see him stick to a reoccurring side character in the film franchise.

Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle I knew was going to have big paws to fill.  Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman is legendary, and to me Anne Hathaway was the best part of The Dark Knight Rises.  Seeing how this is still early Batman, and his rogue's gallery, I have to give Kravitz some leniency as I do Pattinson.  In this film Bruce is stilling trying to figure out the whole Batman persona and what he is going to become, and so is Selina.  Catwoman to me oozes confidence, and this version seemed to lack composure.  She was a bit irrational in dealing with the death of her supposed friend and how to deal with her crime boss father (which I wasn't a fan of that story arc).  I'd much rather see Kravitz's Catowman be a skilled burglar who uses Gotham's current condition to her advantage by stealing pretty things from petty people. No, that wasn't a typo. But I thought Pattinson and Kravitz had sexual chemistry.  And that's all we really want between the two of them, right?

The main cast was rounded out by Jeffery Wright as James Gordon and Andy Serkis as Alfred.  Serkis I felt didn't get a lot of screen time, but served his purpose as being a catalyst for Bruce's emotional journey.  I liked how Gordon worked closely with Batman to where is seemed like they were partners. He trusted Batman more than he did some police officers.  I just hope we get more personal with him in future films like we did with Gary Oldman.

The first hour of this film I think I had a smile on my face.  Batman's intro of slowly stepping out of the shadows at the train station and then beating some fools was great. As the story progressed it did start to wain a bit, and I felt like the film could have been 20 minutes shorter.  It almost has as many fake endings as The Return of the King.  The cinematography and sets were great, and I love this Batsuit best out of all of them due to its functionality. This was said to be a darker film than any other Batman film, but aside from a thumb I didn't see anything worse than what we got from The Dark Knight. 

I would like to see it again in theaters, but I still have several films to watch before the Oscars at the end of the month, plus all the TV shows I watch, and by the time I watch it again, The Batman will be on HBO Max and I will be able to pause, rewind, and study things more closely.  I may also deem it worthy to buy a physical copy of depending on its special features.  I'm a sucker for director's commentary.  I like that we got a Batman that feels like how Batman should feel.  He's a character in a dark world where bad things happen.  Though I think there may still need to be another Batman running around cinemas like in the DCEU just for a lighter, or more marketable, Dark Knight.

All the gripes I heard about this film range from not enough Bruce Wayne to having an empty story.  I think those opinions can be valid, but I appreciated the different interpretation Reeves and Warner Bros took with a character that audiences have seen so many times.  And no matter how you feel about The Batman I have no heard one complaint about Robert Pattinson.  He's no longer "that guy from Twilight." He's Batman.

Star Wars Episode VII: My Fantasy Plot

After months of rumors, speculation, and flat out lies the cast of the new Star Wars film has been announced!  As no surprise to anyone, the original cast from Episodes IV-VI are all returning, with the exception of Billy Dee Williams(so far).  Along with them is a slew of actors, most of which aren't anyone on the Hollywood A-List.  This has some fans excited since the original Star Wars film back in 1977 was filled with unknowns like Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher.  

Now that the main cast has been announced another array of speculation has begun as to who these new actors will play and what the plot of the film will be.  We now know that the infamous Expanded Universe that continued the Star Wars story after Return of the Jedi will not be the basis of Episode VII.  But it's been said that they may cherry-pick certain ideas from the EU into this new Star Wars canon.  Every uber Star Wars fan has their own thoughts and ideas as to how they hope this cast comes together in a film.  And here is mine.

Max von Sydow as The Imperial Commander
It'll be 30 years since the events of Return of the Jedi.  I'm sure the Empire didn't just give up after the death of the Emperor and the destruction of the second Death Star.  I'm sure it still took several years of fighting before peace was given a chance.  And while the "New Republic" won out, I'm sure their were some compromises.  Everyone seems to think that Sydow will play an old Sith Lord, but I think that just seems to obvious.  I see him more as the liaison of the once mighty Empire.  He could be this man who actually believed the Empire was the best form of government.  He has a strong sense of duty, and is now proud to be representing the old regime in this new era.  I also wouldn't be surprised though if he has a hidden agenda, perhaps working with some Sith Lords to cause unrest in the Republic making the galaxy wish for the days of the ordered Empire.

Adam Driver as The Sith Lord
Let's just all face the facts.  Adam Driver will be a bad guy.  He just looks creepy.  I've only really seen him in the HBO show Girls and even in that show he was just weird.  I see Driver playing the Darth Maul-type character.  He could be the Sith that everyone sees carrying out his master's plans, and even the one holding secret meetings with Sydow's character.  It also wouldn't surprise me if Driver's character does the non-Darth Maul route and survives past the first film; eventually becoming the master!

Andy Serkis as The Sith Master
I'm of the strong opinion that Serkis should have gotten some kind of Oscar for his role as Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  He was phenomenal in that film!  Serkis has become synonymous with body acting so everyone assumes he'll be doing the same in Episode VII.  Some think he'll be the "New Jar Jar" and play the comic relief.  I personally think it' d be nice if Serkis would actually play Jar Jar Binks!  He could totally redeem the character and maybe make him not look so bad in Episode I if we then know where the character was going to end up.

However, I don't think they'd waste a great talent like Andy Serkis on just some funny character who will sell toys.  I see Serkis playing a more pivotal role; The Sith Master.  Much like Darth Sidious was in Episodes I-III, he'd be the man behind the curtain pulling all the strings.  But because it's Serkis he wouldn't be human. I say they make the big bad some kind of weird/scary alien.  I think this would be a terrific use of Serkis and he can bring out a much better performance than we got from Ian McDiarmid. A blind man could have seen Palpatine was up to no good for Christ sakes!  

Oscar Isaac as The Bounty Hunter
I've seen Driver and Robin Hood, but the only thing I really remember seeing Oscar Isaac in is Sucker Punch, which makes me sad.  I've heard that people are seeing him as the new Han Solo character.  Isaac could be the anti-hero who is rebellious and out for himself, but of course later learns the value of friendship and fighting for a cause.  I think this would be a good idea, but let's make him more edgy.  A trailer for the current The Old Republic computer game saw a cowboy smuggler with a lot of attitude.  I think this type of character would be great for Isaac, only a little more ruthless.  Perhaps Isaac is hired to kill Luke or Leia and ends up joining their side?  Then he spends the other films fighting his own nature, and we never quite know if he'll return to his old ways.

Domhnall Gleeson as The Ben Skywalker
In the Expanded Universe Luke Skywalker marries a woman named Mara Jade, who just happens to be a redhead.  So when I saw Gleeson was going to be in the film my first thought was that he'd play Luke's son; Ben Skywalker.  I remember Gleeson from playing Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, but it was his starring role in About Time that made me excited to see him on the Episode VII roster.  I thought About Time was wonderful little movie and Gleeson did a superb job as the lead.

With that being said, I think Luke Skywalker is going to die in Episode VII.  Let's think about it.  Episode I, Qui-Gon Jinn, the mentor, dies.  In Episode IV, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the mentor, dies.  I think Episode VII will continue that trend.  Of course Mark Hamill will become a ghost like Obi-Wan did and still be in the rest of the trilogy, but in a heroes journey the mentor always dies.  I think this tale will be no different.  Plus, this will affect every character; including his son.  In the Expanded Universe, after the death of his brother, Jacen Solo turns to the Dark Side.  But what if, it's Luke's son that turns after his father's death?  It wouldn't be a big leap to imagine another Skywalker turning to the Dark Side.  I can see Driver's character being a secret Sith who helps sway Gleeson to the Dark Side as well.  And finally, cast Julianne Moore as Mara Jade. Mark Hamill can thank me later.

John Boyega as The Jedi Hero
Admit it.  As soon as you heard Boyega's name you thought, "Lando's son."  I'm not going to call you racist; I'm just saying it's too obvious.  I can see him being a descendant of Mace Windu though.  Speaking of, I would also like to see Mace Windu back.  I mean, come on, we never saw Mace actually die.  And you're going to tell me the second most powerful Jedi in the galaxy couldn't survive a little fall?

I plan on seeing Attack of Block before I see Episode VII, but I've heard nothing but good things about this actor.  I see him as Luke's star pupil.  The guy who is a hero through and through, and because he's is so beloved by Luke this could be another trigger for Gleeson to go dark.  Boyega could even be the one thought to take-over the "New Jedi Order" when Luke passes on, and this would make his son a little pissed. 

Daisy Ridley as The Jaina Solo
This young woman has become the talk of the cast!  Not only is she the only new female actress announced in this ensemble, but she's also the most unknown actor in the bunch.  This leads me to believe she might have the biggest part in the upcoming trilogy.  Many have already mentioned her resemblance to Carrie Fisher, which of course screams Jaina Solo; Leia's daughter in the Expanded Universe.  In the EU Jaina ended up killing her twin brother Jacen because he turned to the Dark Side.  But instead of her brother, what if she faced off against someone like her brother?  Perhaps her cousin?

Also, being the new female of the group, I can also see her the center of a love triangle.  In A New Hope you never knew if Leia was going to end up with the smuggler, Han, or the hero, Luke.  Of course George Lucas settled that debate when Leia was revealed as Luke's sister.  I can see Isacc and Boyega's characters fighting over Ridley.  But instead of Ridley ending up with the bad boy she goes for the good guy.  Perhaps with the help of Boyega they are able to turn Gleeson's character back from the Dark Side of the Force.

Another reason I can see Ridley being a child of Han and Leia is that if you look at the current Star Wars: Legacy comic book, specifically the first issue's cover, the main character, Ania, is a descendant of Han and Leia, and looks so much like Daisy Ridley.  She just has the Solo look to her. Having an even stronger woman than what Leia is can only help bring in more female viewers to go see Star Wars: Episode VII.