My Batman

    As I get ready for The Flash, I remember where I was on June 23, 1989.  I was standing in line at the Mount Kisco (NY) movie theater, waiting to get my mind blown by Tim Burton’s Batman.  The dark ambient powerhouse of the Danny Elfman score gave new meaning to the Batman symbol, brought to life in a topographic stereoscopic logo that I could literally fly through. Michael Keaton is my Batman.  Then there were trading cards, toys, video games (SNES Batman Returns was the best one), “Batmania”, Prince Soundtrack Album, and a sequel.  Batman arguably opened the path of the next generation of big budget mass marketing and created a new found cultural impact for superhero movies (Marvel included), in the same way Jurassic Park was a groundbreaking SFX theatrical experience back in 1993. Then Tim Burton was pushed out seemingly because Batman got too dark, and “too dark” was standing in the way of more money and merchandising and potential access to kids or a younger audience.  Michael Keaton stepped away, not realizing the legacy he exited would never be the same.   For everyone it seemed like a natural progression, but after lame follow ups (not sure if they sold enough Mr. Freeze toys to warrant the investment)…the success of the Batman cinematic universe went even darker.   

    I admire the cinematic quality of the Nolan movies, and even the current The Batman, or Joaquin’s Joker, but I think something has been lost along the way.  For true Fandom, we have to activate kids and future fans.  The PG-13 rating has a large spectrum nowadays (different from 1989), from movies that you may bring younger kids to and that have a few cringemoments of language or violence, or you weigh the pros and cons, and make a parental decision to let something go in order to expose your kids to the superheroes they might grow to love.    I felt that way when I took my 8 year old daughter to Shazam 2 : Fury of the Gods.  We watched Shazam on HBO at home, but were ready for the second one in a theater after seeing all the trailers.  I scanned the “Parental Notes” on IMBD.com, to figure out if I could get some information to make a judgment if it was going to work.  We went to see it and it was a success….and she got to see a nice cameo from a superhero she loves (yet has not been able to watch the feature movies yet due to the new PG-13 and her age when they came out).   I was 12 when I saw Batman 1989, a mild PG-13 that some would argue is a little intense for young kids as well, but no F bombs or Sh**, from my Batman Michael Keaton or Joker.  I remember the patriotic optimism, blue skies, and family friendly allure of the original Superman movies….many of which I was exposed to on this old-timey thing called a VHS tape in a VCR….I beg DC to bring back true PG superhero movies that we can safely bring our kids to without worrying that we’re somehow being “bad” parents.  I am starting to question who is curating the “Parental Guidelines” of IMDB.com anyway….out of context some of the things that are flagged and antiquated (Like Tipper Gore’s music rating disclaimers "@!#?@!") and feel polarized by our current political environment.  I may start ignoring them.   Without creating fandom with younger kids DC is not going to be able to continue to create new generations of fans.  I need a new Batman and Superman Trilogy that I can bring my kids to!    

    So, I’m excited to go see The Flash in a movie theater, largely to see my Batman again.  Hopefully I can get a sitter.