Gotham’s Version Of Every Batman Movie, Ranked
To anyone who has ever enjoyed any type of Batman movie, it’s clear that Gotham City is a living, breathing entity and is arguably part of Batman’s enduring appeal, as much as the other characters in these stories. A dark and criminal city, Gotham has been vividly captured by different artists over the years. Now that there have been several iterations of a 20-year cinematic Batman (not to mention animated films), audiences have been treated to even more unique versions of Gotham City.
How do these creatives create the aesthetic of Gotham City? It’s a mix of cinematography, sound design, and characterization of the people of Gotham. Each version was extremely different while maintaining the same basic characteristics. Here is every Batman the movie version of Gotham, ranked.
6 Zack Snyder’s Gotham in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
On the other side Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, very little of Zack Snyder’s Gotham is actually featured. In this case, the dark blue cinematography of the old film replaces the more careful and measured explorations of Gotham that exist in the rest of these films. This Gotham aesthetic is expected to be vague, reflecting the creators’ deliberate decision not to set much of the action in Gotham itself. Snyder’s view of the city is brooding and crime-ridden, having very few unique characteristics. However, Snyder is known for his uniquely stylized films, and the shots set in Gotham evoke a radiant darkness reminiscent of 20th century film noir.
5 Gotham by Christopher Nolan from The Dark Knight Trilogy
Christopher Nolan’s Gotham is Chicago. To be precise, The black KnightGotham’s version is Chicago. Not only were Nolan’s first two Batman movies filmed in Chicago, The black KnightGotham’s intentional style is meant to be as close to real life as possible. Wide, sweeping shots of this Gotham skyline set the story — and, by extension, its tone and themes — in real-life America. While this fits well with Nolan’s vision for a Batman story, it’s a shame that Gotham feels even less visually distinct than the previous film in the trilogy. batman begins had a number of notable visual marvels like The Narrows, a Gotham neighborhood characterized by creeping shadows, orange halogen lights, and the constant presence of industrial smoke. After such a spectacle, it was disappointing to see such a striking rendition of Gotham canceled in favor of a slightly tweaked Chicago.
4 Gotham by Todd Phillips in Joker
Joker‘s Gotham is an alternate-reality vision of New York City, where the movie was filmed. This Gotham capitalizes on the source material’s focus on urban decay, focusing on dilapidated and deteriorating interior spaces. Viewers feel that this city, with its failing social programs and growing economic inequality, is a city in deep trouble. The color scheme, with a deep teal and orange undertone, gives the impression that the story is set vaguely in the past. The most unique aspect of this Gotham is its people, almost all of whom seem to be relentlessly cruel and apathetic towards their fellow citizens. Judging by the film’s final moments, the people of Gotham have been completely left behind and alienated. Otherwise, Todd Phillips’ version of Gotham has little to offer when it comes to a visually distinct aesthetic.
3 Chris McKay’s Gotham from The Lego Batman Movie
The Lego Batman Movie‘s Gotham is unique for the confluence of creative effects that have created this vibrant city. Thanks to the film’s lighthearted tone, audiences can see the city in a whole new light, literally. Gotham in the Light of Day is a whole different beast and, thanks to the animators behind the film, is incredibly visually distinct. Unlike many live-action iterations of the city, this version isn’t beholden to a consistent city layout – as a result, this Gotham feels more like a fantasy world. While it has little in common with its live-action counterparts, the film’s unique sense of humor and lighthearted tone allow this Gotham to feel like its own entity.
2 Gotham by Matt Reeves in The Batman
Thanks to its nearly three-hour runtime, viewers can see a lot of Matt Reeves’ Gotham in The Batman. contrary to Joker, the visual presentation of Gotham in this film is key to creating its unique identity. the Gotham in this world is true to its comic book roots, thanks to the visual flair and emphasis on dark, unsettling hallways, looming architecture, and dark interior spaces. The film characterizes a different, more dismissive relationship between the caped crusader and his city. This Batman the story is explicitly centered on the aftermath of the character’s rage and quest for revenge, themes that are heightened through the film-inspired visual contrast between black darkness and red-orange light. This Gotham feels alive and vibrant despite the heavy darkness of the film’s cinematography.
1 Gotham by Tim Burton in Batman
Featured Gotham in the 1989s Batman and 1992 Return of Batman is in a class of its own, a vision realized by director Tim Burton, whose aspirations were the opposite of Nolan’s Chicago facsimile. Characterized by towering art deco buildings and the overwhelming advance of passionless industry, this Gotham is a true gothic dystopia. Architectural styles clash inside these street scenes laid out in an air of chaos and discord – this is a city with little planning logic and seems genuinely unfit for human habitation. Renowned production designer Anton Furst crafted this hellish landscape to appear as alienating and inhuman as possible.. This version of Gotham has a kind of jarring harmony, suited to the heightened reality of a crazed masked vigilante battling the forces of evil at night.
Read more
About the Author