Ever since I can remember, I’ve been a DC fan, as Batman was always my favourite character. Thanks to being a product of the 90s, I’ve adored the Caped Crusader since Bruce Timm created the Batman: The Animated Series, as it was the definitive portrayal of this iconic character.
When it comes to live action, I grew up with Val Kilmer in 1995’s Batman Forever on VHS. But my first time seeing my favourite superhero on the big screen was, sadly, 1997’s Batman & Robin. Even though it was a poor film, this behind-the-scenes feature highlights director Joel Schumacher’s problems throughout production.
Thankfully, Christopher Nolan brought new life to the character due to The Dark Knight trilogy. With The Dark Knight, he directed the greatest comic book movie ever and changed how general audiences viewed the genre.
Once again, Batman led the way for DC in animation form with Under the Red Hood and the double headers of The Dark Knight Returns and The Long Halloween, and I thoroughly recommend checking them out along with Batman: Year One.
You’ve also got Chris McKay’s terrific The LEGO Batman Movie as a perfect entry for kids and it’s also become a bit of a darling of TikTok.
Meanwhile, under the stewardship of the incredible director Zack Snyder along with Ben Affleck brought the best live-action adaptation of Bruce Wayne and a different version of The Dark Knight showcasing he was a proper bruiser in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. I would’ve loved to have seen what the Oscar winner would’ve done in a solo movie.
However, that never happened, but in its place came Matt Reeves’ incredible The Batman. It is a movie I am in complete awe and I can’t wait to see what the filmmaker and Robert Pattinson do with this Batman.
You might be wondering why I am talking about Batman? It’s because in London this weekend, in celebration of Batman Day on Saturday (16th September 2023), Warner Brothers is hosting an immersive pop-up event called Batman Unmasked.
It’s a special celebration this year as WB is marking its 100th anniversary. Meanwhile, Nolan’s classic The Dark Knight is having its 15th anniversary and will be getting a re-release in UK cinemas (alongside Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman and 2019’s Joker), with next year marking the 85th anniversary of Bob Kane and Bill Fingers creator of DC’s most iconic superhero.
Moreover, you can’t have an event celebrating the greatest superhero without his greatest super-villain, The Joker. Ahead of his return to our screens next year in the highly anticipated Joker: Folie à Deux, fans will be able to explore The Joker zone with costumes of Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix’s Clown Prince of Crime.
Thanks to WBUK and Premier Comms, I was lucky to attend the pop-up ahead of its launch on Friday (15th September), and this is what I thought.
It’s a wonderful exhibition and a must for all comic book, DC and Batman fans and families will have a great time with plenty of photo opportunities. If you love these movies, you’ll love looking at all the costumes and gadgets.
It was looking at Pattinson’s costume and equipment was the most pleasing and was surprised they had his bike! The other was seeing Affleck’s suit and gripple gun and the detailing that went into both by Snyder and his team to highlight this was a seasoned Bruce.
I don’t want to give too much away as you should enjoy it for yourself.
However, I do have some nip-picky things that I would’ve done if given the chance by WB and Premier (the PR comms team that have done a fabulous job) to make it an even more immersive experience.
- It needed to celebrate all of Batman. I would’ve loved to have seen suits from Adam West’s classic 60s series as well as the suits from Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.
- Images and drawings from the animated series, films and The LEGO Batman Movie. Also, more pre-production artwork should’ve been placed all over the walls.
- Music from all the movies playing throughout and yes that includes this banger.
- As you enter the Joker zone, have laughing from all the actors that have played him, from Mark Hamill to Phoenix (even have an easter egg of Barry Keoghan thrown in there).
- As you get to the end of the experience, have TVs playing the animated series and movies.
Again, these are my ideas if I were given the reigns to let my dyslexic thinking do its creative business.
Batman will always be apart of my life and I’m better for it. This character is so important that Adam West’s 1966 movie has my favourite line in any film, “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb!”
Long Live The Bat!
The Bear Cave 