This is part of the reason I really dug Black Panther because it had a more realized location that other MCU entries. Great video, super informative on each iteration
As a resident of NYC, that train scene in the Batman Begins always resonated with me. Sitting on a paint scraped metal chair, looking out a window covered in graffiti, before walking onto a rusting train station made me instantly understand the tone being set. You were always looking over your shoulder if you had to go through one of those parts of the city at night. Sometimes making eye contact with a stranger on the street was enough to make you double down on the paranoia.
100%. One of the worst aspects of city life! And interesting to see it reflected in a more grounded Batman movie- interesting that The Batman also has a v similar scene.
Thanks so much! Think about it like this: if this is how much we can change portrayals of a *fictional* place, what does that say about how we portray *real* places? (Asking as a Londoner who saw the last series of You)
In love with Reeves’ Gotham, hope we get to see more. And a shame I ran short on time and skipped Birds of Prey’s ‘South Gotham’, which is essentially LA outskirts and adds an interesting dynamic to things!
Burton's Gotham, especially in Returns is just "chef's kiss", pump that shit into my veins any day of the week. Nolan did a decent job with Batman Begins but with the other two films the city lacked any character at all imho. Reeve's Gotham was also great and probably the best version of Gotham one can make without going absolutely ham ala Burton. I also think the tv show "Gotham" deserves a mention, they managed to make quite a solid version of the city even though it was a modestly budgeted tv series.
This is part of the reason I really dug Black Panther because it had a more realized location that other MCU entries. Great video, super informative on each iteration
"realism is just another stylistic choice" omg say it louder
preach (arcane points about style)
As a resident of NYC, that train scene in the Batman Begins always resonated with me. Sitting on a paint scraped metal chair, looking out a window covered in graffiti, before walking onto a rusting train station made me instantly understand the tone being set. You were always looking over your shoulder if you had to go through one of those parts of the city at night. Sometimes making eye contact with a stranger on the street was enough to make you double down on the paranoia.
100%. One of the worst aspects of city life! And interesting to see it reflected in a more grounded Batman movie- interesting that The Batman also has a v similar scene.
Oh wow this was great! Loved the thumbnail too!
so glad you liked it! Thumbnail was a communal effort thanks to some essayist collaborators
Gonna be thinking a lot about how important the location is in a good story. Great video!
Thanks so much! Think about it like this: if this is how much we can change portrayals of a *fictional* place, what does that say about how we portray *real* places? (Asking as a Londoner who saw the last series of You)
Great stuff! Love to see how it all comes together in Reeves' depiction of Gotham. Always loved how much character the city has in that film.
In love with Reeves’ Gotham, hope we get to see more. And a shame I ran short on time and skipped Birds of Prey’s ‘South Gotham’, which is essentially LA outskirts and adds an interesting dynamic to things!
10:55 The subtitle says "much less realistic" when the voiceover says "much more realistic"
thanks for catching that, corrected!
Amazing video, was brought here from tiktok but wanted to check out the full vid
Awesome, always wondered if that works or not!
Wow I learned so much from this video!!
thanks, glad you found it informative! Always sharing the gospel of german expressionism 👺
Great video essay!
thanks so much, glad you enjoyed!
Burton's Gotham, especially in Returns is just "chef's kiss", pump that shit into my veins any day of the week.
Nolan did a decent job with Batman Begins but with the other two films the city lacked any character at all imho.
Reeve's Gotham was also great and probably the best version of Gotham one can make without going absolutely ham ala Burton.
I also think the tv show "Gotham" deserves a mention, they managed to make quite a solid version of the city even though it was a modestly budgeted tv series.
great vid!!
🙏
👀
🌚