Batman has to work out what the Joker is up to, after he gives himself up, while alter ego Bruce Wayne has to take responsibility for the orphan he accidentally adopted, Richard (Dick) Grayson...
The Lego Movie was one of the biggest surprises of recent years. Funny and imaginative, it was terrific fun and my favourite film released in 2014. But the breakout character from that film was the Lego take on Batman. Self absorbed, he's adored by the people of Gotham, but doesn't have anyone apart from Alfred in his life...but being Batman of course, he doesn't care about that, as being Batman is awesome enough.
In this film however, Alfred knows change is needed and when Bruce Wayne adopts an orphan, Alfred sees this as an opportunity for Bruce to maybe have his own family. Of course, Bruce see it differently; that he doesn't need anyone else.
Clouding the matter is the Joker who wants Batman to admit he is his greatest enemy. But Batman doesn't see it that way either, saying he doesn't actually have one as he 'likes to fight around.' The Joker at first upset then plots a way to get his revenge on Batman, by surrendering to the new police chief, which gets Batman suspicious.
On top of this too, is that the new police commissioner Barbara Gordon wants the police to team up with Batman. Not something Batman approves of!
There's actually a lot of story going on in this film, a better put together plot than 2016's Batman v Superman film. But what makes this film work is the rate of laughs the film has. The gag rate is up there with the likes of Airplane! or Top Secret in that one follows another and another. I suspect it may take several repeated viewings to catch them all.
And then there is the visual aspect of the film. Taking it's cues from The Lego Movie, it's a truly imaginative world. The huge and I mean HUGE Batcave seems to have every vehicle that has turned up in Batman's world over the past 80 or so years. But then this film manages to both celebrate Batman's long history and at the same time poke fun at it. It has nods to the seriousness of the character but also the silliness of some of the villains Batman has had to face in all that time. You might not recognise some of them, but all of them are actually from Batman's past.
Despite having five credited screenwriters, it never feels disjointed at all. It's a film that celebrates teamwork and imagination and family, something for the younger members of the audience will hopefully take from the film, while adults will simply be laughing throughout, thanks to the directing of Chris McKay, who keeps things moving at a fast pace.
The voice cast are excellent. Will Arnett is a superb Bruce Wayne/Batman. Michael Cera is a very enthusiastic Dick Grayson/Robin. Rosario Dawson voices Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, more of the straight woman to Batman and Robin but is great as is Ralph Fiennes who seems to be having a blast voicing Alfred, who in this version is very happy to get involved with the action. Zach Galifianakis voices the Joker, one much closer to the 60's TV version or The Burton '89 on rather than the more recent Dark Knight take and he too seems to be having fun. There are also small roles for Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, reprising their Superman and Green Lantern characters from The Lego Movie, plus Billy Dee Williams from the 1989 Batman reprising the voice of Two-Face.
When the climax of the film hits, like The Lego Movie itself, it is crammed with character from other franchises Lego deal with. There are Gremlins, Sauron and some very familiar British Robots to name three as, the film has an actual surprise of an ending, one that definitely falls into the feel good catagory.
I loved this film. It might not be as good as The Lego Movie, but it is the best Batman film since Batman Begins (yes, really!). The score is great, it's funny, inventive, the 3D isn't that bad and in short it is an absolute blast. Children will love it, adults certainly will.
There's talk that Ben Affleck is thinking about quitting the role of Batman in the DC Cinematic Universe. Although I think he was really good in the role in Batman v Superman, I can understand why. It's a better Warner Bros/DC Comics film than anything they've come up with in their budding film universe.
Simply put this is the better Batman currently showing up in cinemas.
Lego have done it again.
Go see!
Rating - 5/5
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