New Batmobile: first look

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Apparently, the makers of this new Batman film is going for practicality, ie, having a real vehicle that works. The old one doesn't go very fast at all.

Anyhow, I don't really like its LOOKS, but I'm going to hold my tongue until I see it in action in the movie.

Lastly here is an excerpt from AICN on the new Batmobile:

"This is the vehicle that's described in the Goyer script. This is The Tumbler, built as a bridging vehicle for the military, then never used. Goyer describes it the first time we see it as "a cross between a Lamborghini Countach and a Humvee. Sandy camouflage, stealthangled panelling and variable-angle flaps across the back." It can do a rampless jump at 100 mph. It was built by the Applied Research branch of Wayne Corp., which is how Bruce Wayne stumbles across it. He modifies it a bit, and the result is the thing that's already being so hotly debated by fans. It's a real-world vehicle, practical rather than "cool," and that's a pleasant surprise. And look closely at that glass pod between those front wheels. That comes into play during one of the script's coolest and most original action beats.
"

The new Batman emblem IS pretty cool, especially with all those angles instead of the nice round curves that defined the Burton Batman insignia. The new symbol seems to match the aesthetic advanced by the new Batmobile. At least the new movie doesn't look like its going to be a codpiece-and-nipple party like "Batman Whatever" and "Batman & Boy Toy".

You guys should see some fanboys in action on several message boards today. Some completely dismissed the upcoming movie just by looking at the pictures of the new Batmobile.

I have a little faith in the new group so far, but really it's too early to tell. In fact, it's hard to tell whether a movie's gonna rock or not until you see it.

The more I think about it, the better the whole thing seems to me. If the filmmakers really are striving for something different, like Miller's graphic novels, and less campy than what the series eventually turned into, then this new, gritty, realistic look might work.
Did anyone notice the Bat emblem at the Web site? The design is slightly worn and dark and a little creepy. This could portend good and novel things to come. I hope so. Tim Burton's first "Batman" is my favorite superhero movie, and this one might just harken back to something resembling the original's unique style, plus.

John

While I still have great fait in this movie, I think the new Batmobile looks like sh*t. Sure, I couldn't expect it to look like all the other ones, but his looks like something Saddam Hussein would drive. It'll look ridiculous if Batman comes out of the "Bat-Hummer" to fight crime. The movie still looks coll, though. Let's hope this is not an omen of worse things to come.

I had heard about this previously, but only got to see the pictures today.

To answer your question, John, the look is supposed to be reminiscent of the Batmobile used in the Frank Miller "Dark Knight Returns" graphic novels. In those, the Batmobile is more tank-like. Batman even quips about the name "Batmobile" as being a somewhat absurd monicker that Robin came up with for the clunky, lumbering vehicle.

I think it's good that they are trying to keep somewhat grounded, yet give fans of the comics (Actually, I'm not one. Just a well of useless knowledge.) a nod to their loyalty.

Hopefully this will be a good movie. Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One" was a great story, so this could play out pretty well since they are going at it from this angle.

Sean (here's hoping that well doesn't run dry!) :D

That's one ugly spud. I guess it's a nod toward more dark realism in the movie?

John

I think it's great. I read a few other commentts on another forum and agreed that this is actually intimidating to confront. Unlike the previous models which looked like a souped up sports car that made you want one as opposing to run away from it.

You're right, the new bat symbol looks great, the cast and director are excellent, but I just don't know how I will get used to this batmobile. I mean, if they change the batmobile, then they'll change everything from the costume (NO NIPPLES, I HOPE!) to the whole look and atmosphere of Gotham City, Wayne Enterprises and/or Wayne Manor. Change is good, and this film is meant to reinvent the whole franchise since the last two sucked, but the first two are absolutely amazing, my favorite superhero movies and it will be hard to get used to this new look. This car would make sense if it was a bat-tank meant for extreme operations, but as the standard Batmobile that Batman drives all the time? If the filmmakers are striving for realism than they should know that this isn't practical. Batman can't drive this monstrous tank through the populated streets of Gotham in pursuit of criminals. Also, the old Batmobile could often change shape to fit through small crevices or alleys in a chase, but how would this new "Bat-behemoth" do that? Anyway, I won't lose hope in the film until I see it for myself, and it will probably still be great, but i doubt that it will match the quality of Tim Burton's films.

It looks like a deformed SUV, if you ask me.


And Eddie, here's my favorite line:
"Can someone tell me what kind of a world we live in, where a man dressed up as a bat steals all my press. . .this town needs an enema!"

:D

well, burton's "batman" movies were good because of his film style and not just because of their stories. for example, "batman returns" is his tribute to german expressionism, and it's visual high art even if the story and performances are a little off. of course, the first one was amazing.

"THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE!"

That thing looks like a cross between the Marines armored vehicle in the movie Aliens, and a mud bog dragster! 10 bucks says when Arnold Schwartzenegger finds out about this thing, he'll buy it for himself! Could you see "The Governator" driving up to the capitol in this thing?!
I agree with John here... with the new look of the "bat symbol", and the rugged real world application and look of the new batmobile, this may very well be a precursor of things to come. That said, we could be looking at an emergence or rekindling of the enthusiasm in fans for Batman movies. I tend to side with Eddie in his disdain for the most recent Bat films. For me they lacked the shear cool factor, and darkness that Tim Burton brought to the first two films. If you threw in a little dancing and singing in the last two, you'd have a couple of pretty nifty stage plays!

- Josh :p

then why are you looking at the new batman at all? :D

*U*G*L*Y*
Maybe it's their second car. An all-terrain Bat-SUV???
Anyway, I have only seen the first Bat-movie, and only one time. Fool me once... So I don't care anyway.:@

Sean...take a picture--"Gotham's Greed".

It's funny to me that all this discussion revolves around just the previous movies. Batman has been around a lot longer than 1989.

For example, the Bat Symbol on the website is really just a chromed and rusted out version of the one Bob Kane first used. The first Batmobile looked like a Studebaker with a bat-shaped battering ram on the front. Tim Burton's incarnations were certainly his own as the Bat Symbol, Batsuit, Batmobile, and Batwing he used were all different from the comic. Let's not even worry ourselves with Schumacher.

I think it's great that this series is getting a punch in the arm, and more towards a realist design. As mentioned previously, much of this seems geared more toward Frank Miller's concepts, and I think many people will agree that Miller is the one who brought Batman back into the place he should be: away from bright camp and into the dark alleys.

Sean (hoping I never have to sleep in one of those dark Gotham City alleys)

Um, apparently not, unless WB decided to celebrate an extended April Fool's Week.

So, the new "Batmobile" was an April Fool's Day joke, right?

Right?

John

Tell me my friend -- Have you ever danced with the devil under the pale moonlight?

My fave quote from Batman has always been the Joker saying to Batman, "you wouldn't hit a man with glasses, would ya?" and then Batman punches him square in the face. Precious cinematic moment. The Joker has countless great lines in this movie!!!!

While this is a wee bit off the subject, are there plans yet to release Special Edition DVD's of the other Batman films in correlation with the release of "Batman Begins"?
I would just LOVE to have Spec. Ed's. of Batman and Batman Returns!!!!!!!

Useless trivia of the day: My first word was "Batman". No joke, The film came out before I was a year old and I watched it all the time and I kept repeating "Batman" over and over again in front of my grandparents and parents. Maybe that explains why I like Batman and Spider-man so much. Anyway, I hope that trivia changed your life! :)

TGP:

It's my personal hope that Warner will do 2-disc Digipak SEs of at least Tim Burton's "Batman" efforts. Even though "Batman Whatever" and "Batman & Boy Toy" are pretty bad, I might want to own SEs of them because
a) I liked Val Kilmer's turn even if he's not as good as Michael Keaton;
b) I am in love with Nicole Kidman;
c) I am in love with Alicia Silverstone;
d) Arnold's campiness is pretty hilarious.

You're right, of course, that re-releases timed to "Batman Begins" would be smart marketing, though I wonder how "good" that would be considering that Sony is already pushing for HD-DVD in 2006.

Eddie

P.S. Tim...you...are my number one.

-You...are my number one... guy!
-A little song, a little dance, Batman's head on a lance.
-Looks like we've got a live one here.
-Tell me what kind of world we live in where a man dresses like a bat?
-This town needs an enema!
-Hubba hubba hubba money money money, who do you trust?
-I have given a name to my woes. And that name is Batman.
-New and improved Joker products! With the new ingridient SMILEY! Uh-oh! He's been using Brand X! With Joker products I get a smile again and again and again! You may be asking yourself, where can I get new Joker products? Well that's the joke! Chances are, you bought them already!

The great quotes go on and on. What a classic film!
Also, Batman Forever is okay because the villains were dynamic and fun to watch, except that there was a flashback of Wayne's dead parents and the terrible "falling into a cave and seeing a bat" story. But Batman and Robin is just completely bad with no real entertainment to it. If Uma Thurman had busted out a sword "Kill Bill" style she would've whooped Robin and maybe even Batman's (sorry, I mean George Clooney) ass! :)
Anyway, I also think that "Batman Returns" is arguably better than the first although no one agrees with me. :)

Well, I thought that Danny DeVito was completely gonzo, but the Batman-Catwoman angle was great stuff, with all that weird psychology. "Batman Returns" is probably a truer version of Burton's "German Expressionism" aesthetic than "Batman", though it's so nihilistic that even Batman seems to want to die rather than save anybody, lol.

We're talking about the new Batmobile and nobody's asked:

"Where does he get those wonderful toys?"

I'll bet Jack is crying right now.

"The skulls, the bodies. You give it all such a glow! I don't know if it's art, but I like it!"

Sean (I'm bustin' out with the Batdance right now, and none of you even know...)

BTW: "You're insane." "Really? I thought I was a pisces."

"I'm of a mind that makes a movie."

The Batdance? Jeez, that was from one of the Prince songs that were written for the movie, lol.

By the way, Sean, would you be interested in writing DVD reviews?

Have any of you seen the Batdance music video? If your answer is no, good, then you have been spared for the most painful, life-destroying experience in your life. If your answer was yes, then my prayers are with you.

Also, "they just don't make them like they used to!"

"I'm gonna need a moment alone, boys"- Joker says after shooting his "best friend" out of anger at Batman

"Oh! I've got a live one here. HEEHEEHEEHEE HAHAHAHA."

Trust me, the whole Batdance thing...Definitely a joke!

Although, there was a time, when I was but a young lad of 15 and all things Batman were magical that I did, yes, I did, record the Batdance video.

I can hear my own son right now mimicking Sylvester's son: "Oh, for shame, Father!" :D

"Jesus Marimba. A beautiful creature like that walking around puts steam in a man's stride!"

Sean (sufferin' succotash!)

P.S.: Eddie, actually, I would love to write some reviews; however, my main concern is time. Not sure how many I would be able to do for you right now. I'm afraid they might be a little few and between for awhile. E-mail me at the yahoo address listed on my profile and maybe we could work something out.

Sean,

Actually, I don't have access to your e-mail address (only my EIC does). E-mail me at yef@dvdtown.com, and we'll talk.

Eddie