Peter James Mann
The Batman has finally arrived in theaters this weekend. If you’re planning to give into your dark urges and see this new comic book thrill ride, it might be a good idea to watch some other films to prepare you for the onslaught of The Bat.
Sherlock (2010 – 2017)
There are strong Sherlock Holmes vibes in this film. Not only was it filmed in London, but Batman owes much to the original World’s Greatest Detective. Not only is Holmes as fastidious about evidence, he too has a grand rival in Moriarty, a man equal in intelligence but without Sherlock’s desire to help.
In this version, Watson is a vet from the War on Terror who is trying to find his way through processing his PTSD when he ends up meeting Holmes and starting his blog, a replacement for the stories he’d write about their adventures.
Sherlock is the modern adaptation and the one property I can confidently point to and say, “This is why Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freemen ended up in everything.” The way the major tales were adapted for a modern era were very well done. Hopefully we can get these guys to meet up for 1 more season! Maybe another Christmas Special? Please?
Joker (2019)
If you want to point to any reason why the Darker, Grittier, American New Wave tone is where DC is going with Batman, just point to Joker. Many will point to Nolan’s The Dark Knight, and they’re not wrong by any regard.
But Warner Bros. and the DC Film wing were actively moving away from that style after Man of Steel and Batman V Superman didn’t perform as expected. It’s the reason why we got Suicide Squad refilmed for almost the exact same budget, why Justice League was made to be brighter, and why Aquaman is a colorful, summer action blockbuster.
Joker literally changed the conversation again. It showed that there was still a want for a grittier, realistic take on Gotham and the Batman universe by film fans. It also showed that the Academy will take notice of these kinds of comic adaptations, especially when they’re having conversations with other films.
Whether or not we get a Joker like this in this new take on Batman seems still up in the air. I hope that we do, because if anyone can take Arthur on, it’s this guy.
Zodiac (2007)
Paul Dano has blatantly said in interviews that The Zodiac Killer served as a major inspiration for his take on The Riddler. But I’d argue they took a little more for The Batman.
Zodiac stars Jake Gyllenhall, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo as they try to crack the case of The Zodiac Killer. The film makes some predictions that aren’t exactly accurate, since this was before the case was definitively solved during the Pandemic.
The writing, the tone, the lighting, the acting, everything about this thriller has become a hallmark for where most modern thrillers should aim for. And the cyphers and symbols The Zodiac leaves for the investigators and amateur sleuths scream out to Edward Nash’s Riddler as to what he should do to the GCPD.
Batman: The Animated Series (1992 – 1995)
You might remember when The Batman trailer came out that Batman said, “I’m Vengeance.” There is only one other place where Batman has called himself that, and that’s Batman: The Animated Series.
This series was a big part of my childhood and, honestly, has been a delight to go back to. If you wanted World’s Greatest Detective Batman with a gritty noir take, originally you went here. We are in the early days in the beginning of the series, maybe a few years in, but as the series progresses and we get darker entries, we see how capable Batman is, and how far he’s really willing to go.
Kevin Conroy was the first to change his voice between Bruce Wayne and Batman, as well as the actor who’s played the character the longest. If you have HBO Max, just watch the Mr. Freeze episode “Heart of Ice” and tell me it didn’t deserve it’s Emmy Nomination back in the 1992.
Seven (1995)
I know I said Zodiac was the modern hallmark, but Seven is the absolute GOAT of thrillers. There isn’t one that’s as effective in terms of any category for me. It’s also in a classic format for a whodunit.
A young detective is paired up with an older one who’s more world weary, and we follow both of them as their case following a serial killer targeting victims based on the Seven Deadly Sins totally destroys their lives.
It’s Brad Pitt’s best performance and one that probably got him more roles over the years than most. Morgan Freeman is also incredible in it, as he always is. And Kevin Spacey plays a creepy bad guy, which totally fits now! If you haven’t seen the movie, you know the ending. You might even know what’s in the box.
Chinatown (1974)
Jack Nicholson turned down The Godfather for two reasons, despite wanting to work desperately with Francis Ford Coppolla: he wasn’t Italian, and he had to choose between that and Chinatown. Talk about being in the best possible spot in your career.
This crime thriller, and The Godfather, were seminal works for The American New Wave and showed people what you could do when you let artists handle everything and budget isn’t an issue. At least until Apocalypse Now!
Co-starring Faye Dunaway, Chinatown is a neo-noir that is set during the California Water Wars. The Library of Congress has this film preserved and protected for being culturally significant. And with the way some of the police and politics are in Gotham, it feels pretty close to Chinatown.
The Dark Knight (2008)
It has since been confirmed that at least two people told Christopher Nolan they were going to beat The Dark Knight, and it’s hard not to make the comparison to what many consider to be the best comic book film adaptation ever made.
It stands above the rest for the sheer level of respect given to the material and craftsmanship of every cast and crew member involved. Everyone was firing on all cylinders here. There are shots in The Batman that are pulled directly from The Dark Knight.
We’re with Batman during his, essentially, Year Two as he is fairly accepted by the public and some police, but not all. The Joker is causing havoc through Gotham and everyone is trying to regain control among the chaos. Part commentary of The War on Terror and part Epic Hero’s Journey, this film literally has it all. And we will be comparing Paul Dano’s Riddler and Health Ledger’s Batman for many, many, many years to come.
That’s all for this one! I hope you have a chance to go see The Batman soon, especially if you’re a horror and crime fan. See you soon!
