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Batman Returns kicks off our Extra series. Karen, John and Geoff take a look at Penguin, Catwoman, and Bruce Wayne and even the city of Gotham and compare it with the TV series we know and love. Join the discussion!
Batman Returns:
Gotham City has been portrayed differently in every movie and TV show. So taking a look at “Batman Returns,” Gotham City is campy but not as much as in the ’60’s. The reason we choose the movie was not only to look at how the city was portrayed but also to compare and contrast the characters. “Batman Returns” and Gotham both have the characters of Penguin, Catwoman, Alfred and Bruce.
Maybe it was because I was watching the movie to compare and contrast it with Gotham, but this movie seemed more about Oswald and Selina than Batman. Penguin (Danny DeVito) was abandoned as a child and rose up from the sewers to rule. Selina (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the mousey assistant to to shady business man Max Shreck (Christopher Walken). But she is a little to into studying her boss’s work. He tosses her out the window. But she arrises and makes her self into Catwoman. Penguin & Catwoman work together to discredit Batman (Michael Keaton).
Bruce and Selina have make a connection over their split personalities. But their alter egos are getting in the way. Part of the Bat & Cat relationship we know in love from the comics and even Gotham is their back and forth. Camren Bicondova & David Mazouz are walking out the beginnings on Gotham. Camren clearly was chosen for her striking resemblance to Pfeiffer, but her portrayal is more logical and less crazy than Pfeiffer. David does not bring as much humor to Bruce as Michael does but he does take some things from Michael’s book.
In Batman Returns we hardly get to see Jim Gordon so it’s difficult to compare Ben McKenzie & Pat Hingle. Alfred (Michael Gough) and Bruce have a snarky relationship in the movie. But Alfred’s snark and support onscreen here line up with Sean Pertwee on Gotham.
Penguin campaigns for Mayor, with the help of this thugs and also Max. Here it is more violent and overt. Robin Lord Taylor’s portrayal plays it closer to the vest. But they both have a flare for seizing power.
Batman’s portrayal in the comics and the movies changes over the years. So do his rogues gallery of villains. Gotham as a location and reality has to change as well. While Tim Burton’s vision took the characters and reality out of the ’60’s and grounds it some. But it keeps some of the comic whimsey. Gotham the TV series lives in a post Nolan/Snyder world. It is more grounded and gritty and realistic. But it still holds true to the characters.
Closing Thoughts:
The roundtable and our Undercover Agents had fun discussing the similarities and differences. But we all agreed Gotham does is SO much better! It will be fun to get to a more grounded comparison next time. We do need your help so read on and give us your thoughts!
Gotham Undercover Extras:
Gotham may be off the air in February, March and most of April. But Gotham Undercover is not going to leave you Gotham-less. Fellow Undercover Agent Phenix made a suggestion and we liked it. So during the break you will get and get to participate in 3 Gotham Undercover Extras. We will take a look at three Batman related films and discuss how they may tie into Gotham. We’ll discuss the characters and more. But we need you to help and make this a full discussion. Karen (Scarlet Cougar), John (the Substitute), and Geoff (xforce11) will do a round table discussion, but we need your help! Watch the movies along with us, send in your feedback (audio or written), and be a part of the discussion.
Here is the schedule:
Gotham Extra 2: Batman: The Dark Knight, to discuss the Nolan era. Feedback deadline is March 2nd at 6pm.
Gotham Extra 3: Flashpoint: Paradox, to discuss the animated movies. Feedback deadline is March 16th at 6pm.
Sound Off:
We want to know your thoughts on “The Dark Knight” for the next episode!
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Catch Karen on Maid of Steel and Remaking History, John on Triplecast and Geoff on Stuff I Learned Yesterday.
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