Did you see Batman vs. Robin?
If not, then you have probably already forgotten about it. After 22 years, there was finally a direct sequel to The Dark Knight. While the movie itself wasn’t perfect (nor was it expected to be), it did feature one of the greatest cameos in film history: Michael Caine as Alfred. In one of the movie’s most memorable scenes, Alfred is watching Robin’s debut performance on TV and is overcome with emotion. He calls Bruce Wayne to tell him that he is proud of what he has created and that his life has meaning.
So what is the significance of this film?
For starters, it serves as a sequel to one of the greatest superhero movies of all time. Second, it gives us more information about the character of Robin. Finally, it allows us to reconsider some of the information we thought we knew about Batman. Now, before we begin, let’s take a moment to consider the differences between the two characters:
Differences Between Batman And Robin
As previously stated, there are numerous differences between Batman and Robin. First of all, Robin is the sidekick, whose primary mission is to help Batman in his fight against crime. Robin never succeeds on his own and is usually forced to rely on his partner for help. He is a loyal guy and will do anything for Batman. Finally, Robin strives to be the best at whatever he sets out to do. He spends a significant amount of time practicing and honing his skills so that he can become more efficient and effective.
On the other hand, Batman is the master of crime, who fights against insurmountable odds to protect his city. He is a broken man who has lost everyone and everything he cares about. As a result, he creates an alter-ego named the Dark Knight, who vows to fight evil and injustice with absolute determination. What sets Batman apart from Robin is that he does not need him to complete his daily tasks. In other words, Batman can fight crime and protect Gotham by himself, whereas Robin is only helpful in specific situations. Furthermore, Batman does not share the same code of ethics as his sidekick. In other words, he doesn’t always need to use ‘force’. He is the strategist and the science geek, whereas Robin is the muscle.
Timing Of Their Meet And How It Influenced The Characters
Also significant is the fact that the characters of Batman and Robin did not originally intersect. In other words, it was not originally planned for them to meet and become friends. It was not even hinted at in the original comics. The dynamic between Batman and Robin changed as a result of the success of the first film. The sequel was released almost 20 years later, giving us the opportunity to see how the characters evolved over time.
Did you know that Robert Pattinson was originally cast as Robin? He was considered for the part before Tom Hardy was chosen to play the dual role of Batman/the Joker. In any case, it was a difficult decision because Pattinson had never played an antagonist before. In most cases, he plays the nicest and most pure characters. It was a challenge for the director to find a way to make him fit for the role of a psychopath.
Reinventing Some Of Batman’s History
As for the history of Batman, some of it was actually altered for dramatic purposes. One of the major changes is the fact that in the comics, Batman was never married. This was changed to provide a better contrast with his no-nonsense attitude and gruff demeanor. Another significant change is that the character of Lucius Fox did not exist in the comics prior to the 1980s. However, that did not stop filmmakers from including him as a major character in the movie. A third change involves the character of Harvey Dent. In the comics, Dent is a corrupt district attorney who becomes Two-Face after being hit by an accident which leaves him paralyzed. In the movie, Dent’s history is altered to make him the antagonist. Finally, we have Alfred, who in the comics serves as Batman’s faithful bodyguard and assistant. He is not Bruce’s biological father, as was originally stated in the comics. Despite these changes, the essence of Batman is still intact.
More Evidence Of Bruce’s Loneliness
It’s important to point out that although the sequel was not expected to be a success, it did exceed all expectations. This was largely attributed to the fact that it was the first time many viewers had been exposed to the character of Robin. In the comics, Robin is definitely not the central figure of the story. This is made even more evident when one considers that Batman barely interacts with him. However, in the movie, we see a completely different side of Batman, which provides more insight into his character. This can be attributed to the fact that Robin was the driving force behind the movie, which allows us to see the character from a different perspective.
Perhaps the most significant change involves Bruce Wayne’s loneliness. In the comics, Batman is constantly assisted by his bodyguard and loyal butler, Alfred. Despite being a millionaire, he still feels isolated and does not have a family to rely on. The movie provides us with an opportunity to see an emotional side of Batman that we have never gotten to see before. He is a man with so much anger and frustration bottled up inside that he creates an alter-ego named the Dark Knight. In creating the Dark Knight, he becomes the knight-errant in search of a lost soul, which is then echoed in the plot of the movie. Moreover, Alfred has a son named Billy, who at the start of the film is being raised by two maiden aunts. This was changed to give us a better contrast between the bumbling but lovable sidekick and the cold, calculating vigilante.
A Different Kind Of Family
Also significant is the fact that the characters of Batman and Robin do not have the typical familial relationships that one would typically find in a superhero movie. For example, although they have been friends for a long time, it does not mean that they are related by blood. The aunts that raise Biff are not his sisters, as was originally stated. This is because in the comics, Alfred is Bruce’s biological father. As a result, the character of Alfred has a different relationship with Bruce than he does with his nephews. This change brings us back to the idea that although the characters of Batman and Robin do not resemble each other, they can still be compared to traditional comic-book characters.
The Importance Of Michael Caine’s Performance
As previously stated, Michael Caine is the greatest actor of his generation and probably one of the greatest of all time. He was born in London in 1922 and spent his early years acting in radio plays and doing commercials. Later, he enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began to shine, as evidenced by his Oscar-winning performance in Alfie. He has since worked with the greatest directors and produced some of the most memorable characters and performances of all time.
The role of Alfred is one of the most iconic of all time. As a result, it is no coincidence that Michael Caine was considered to play the manservant in the movie. In the end, he said ‘no’ to the part because he did not want to go on another film set. Instead, he recommended the director of the movie, Chris McKay, who happened to be one of his best friends. As a result, Michael Caine decided to give it a go anyway, and he delivered a near-perfect performance, which will live up to anyone’s expectations.
While Alfred, as previously stated, does not share the same close relationship with Bruce that most people assume, he does play a significant part in the life of the billionaire playboy. Without him, Bruce would have no reason to live. As a result, Alfred is the ultimate guardian angel and counselor for the lonely billionaire. In the comics, Alfred originally appeared as a butler who assisted Batman in his early battles. However, in the movies, we see a more evolved character whose primary purpose is to protect and counsel Bruce Wayne.
In conclusion, although Batman vs. Robin was not meant to be a realistic portrayal of the character, it did offer some interesting new insights into the Batman mythology. Moreover, it was able to introduce many characters and nuances to the world of superheroes, which provided audiences with a fresh new take on one of the most iconic stories ever told. In other words, even if you have never read a comic book, you might still enjoy Batman vs. Robin because it provides something new and unique for filmgoers.