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The target demographic for a Batman movie is undoubtedly the under 15s,
and I'm sure there will be uproar amongst parents if they are unable, or
unwilling, to let this kids see a more adult-themed entry in the
franchise.
Concern would be justified, as the script contains: an autopsy, various
horrific hallucinations and even scythe impaling. Different countries
have different classification rules, but I know this will be of great
concern for British parents if the studio decides to film this
screenplay without revision.
I found the screenplay to be well-written, nicely paced and with some
good set-pieces around Arkham Asylum, Gotham Aquarium, a Chemical
Factory, etc. All of these action moments are strong and quite ballsy. I
particularly enjoyed the fantastic updating of Batman's arsenal; his
instantly-drying Batsuit (which can also administer CPR!), the
Batmobile's ability to hide behind fake holograms of scenery, the return
of the Batboat and the Batwing, plus a new entry... The Batski!
So what of the characters themselves? Batman, Alfred and Commissioner
Gordon are the leads, and all dependable realized characters. It's only
natural you think of previous actors in their roles, but the script
definitely nudges your thinking towards a return for Michael Keaton -
particularly because of a surely crowd-pleasing "resurrection" of The
Joker (in flashback, using shots from Tim Burton's Batman).
Sadly, The Scarecrow is the weakest link. He's a wimpy stereotype,
bullied for his rakish physique as a child, who is fired from his job in
Gotham University for "irrational methods" and his "request for human
test subjects". Naturally he decides to wreak revenge using a gas that
instils hallucinatory fear on people.
CRANE
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total
obliteration. I will face my fear. I will
permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the
inner eye to see its path. Where the fear
has gone there will be nothing. Only I will
remain..."
The fear angle is a good device for the movie, but I just didn't invest
much belief in The Scarecrow's motives or "performance". He comes across
as a mix of The Joker (psychotic/gas attacks), The Riddler
(intellectual/fired from his job) and The Green Goblin from
Spider-Man
At best he just gets some nice lines occasionally: "He will not die, why
will he not die?" when Batman evades death yet again, and the following
exchange with a henchman:
BROCK
"Sir, The Batman, what about The Batman."
THE SCARECROW
"It's Batman, just Batman, no The, not
The Great, not The King, just Batman."
But it's not enough.
By the time The Scarecrow becomes an effectively pro-active villain in
the latter stages, the script it almost finished and ends on a fairly
low-key finale compared with previous big-bang film endings.
Another potential problem the studio should grasp upon is the total
absence of a romantic interest. No Vicki Vale, Selena Kyle or Chase
Meridian here. This absence of a female lead certainly sucks the
screenplay dry of the sexual frisson that helped Batman and Batman
Returns between the stunts, and will it alienate female moviegoers?
Overall though, I did enjoy reading Batman: The Frightening, despite its
faults. It shows great promise, invention, pace and spark... but will it
get made? The use of potentially confusing multiple flashbacks, coupled
with the generally dark theme replete with gruesome moments, seem to
suggest it will definitely face rewrites so 'Warners' can sell the
merchandise to children.
The piece fits the style of director Christopher Nolan (whose name has
been attached to this recently), but it will be a brave studio indeed
that releases the movie written here word-for-word.
Can you honestly see a certificate 15 Batman movie being released...?
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