I would like to preemptively request the forgiveness of any and all die hard comic book fans for the claim I am about to make.
LEGO Batman is the best iteration of Batman.
I know. I fully understand the weight of this claim. Especially when Adam West exists in little gray tights supported by a belt that holds shark repellent, batsleep gas and a lollipop. But the more I think about it, the more I am willing to die on this hill.
The film was directed by Chris McKay, the same director of many other LEGO films, and was released in 2017. Since then, I have watched the film 4 times and it has single handedly made up about 30% of my Batman media consumption for good reason.
So, if you would, set aside your preconceived bat-notions; your Bale biases or Pattinson preferences and allow me to show you just how epic the view is from this hill.
Let me start by making the distinction that I said “best” and not “most comic-accurate.” Last time I checked, the comics never depict Batman as a “heavy metal rapping machine” that writes his own anthems to sing as he takes out bad guys. But perhaps they should because “You think my muscles are big? You haven’t seen my brain” is just straight bars.
In fact, most of the LEGO Batman Movie is just straight bars. The film is packed with one-liners and references to previous Batman media that send both children and adults into fits of laughter.
LEGO movies have always been able to do this. From the raging success of “The LEGO Movie” to the insanely quotable “LEGO Ninjago” movie, films of this medium tend to have a humor that is self-aware and blunt. You have to be willing to poke fun at yourself when you’re telling a story using subjects that can’t bend their knees or elbows and are lacking opposable thumbs.
This self-aware attitude is exactly what makes LEGO Batman far better than other iterations of the character. The film, through jokes and outrageous situations, highlights every last one of Batman’s nuanced layers.
Batman first appeared in 1939, and since then he has become a complex web of a character. Yet, in conversation, he is often boiled down to an emo in a bat costume that sulks in the night screaming “FOR GOTHAM.” Any true Batman fan knows this is far from the truth.
He isn’t just a brooder, Bruce Wayne has charm. He isn’t just a good fighter, he is a genius. And he isn’t just an advocate of justice, but a statement on the dangers of self isolation.
LEGO Batman nails every single one of these.
From the first scenes, LEGO Batman is set up as a character who prefers to work alone. As Joker extends a “hateful” hand to Batman, he is greeted with Batman’s cold words, “Batman doesn’t do ‘ships.’ As in ‘relationships’ … I don’t need you. I don’t need anyone.”
While the scene is played for laughs — mimicking a rom-com break-up scene — the heart of Batman’s words echo for the remainder of the film.
This isolated mentality is what drives Batman to try and push everyone away while Joker tries to pull everyone together against him.
Like all good Batman media, a team of supportive characters worms their way into Batman’s heart.
Barbara pulls out the charm from Bruce Wayne. Robin pulls out the genius in Batman as he must guide Robin verbally through an unnatural amount of LEGO lasers. And Alfred convinces him to be a part of a family again.
Together they pull Batman from his self-isolation.
It’s a theme that is equally important to both children and adults. It shows children that it’s cool to have help from others, and it’s okay to ask for it. To adults it serves as a good reminder that there are people who will watch “Jerry Maguire” with you if you only let them in.
The beauty of catering to both children and adults was always part of the charm of the original comics. While some comics grew darker and more mature as its audience did, the characters themselves remained for all ages. Many live action adaptations of Batman neglect this charm and cater to older audiences.
Because of this, I stand proudly on the hill that LEGO Batman is the best Batman.
If you were once an Affleck admirer or a Keaton connoisseur I kindly leave you with this LEGO Batman quote.
“If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and make a change. Hoo.”
