I waited in anticipation of the batman movie. At the time, I used to collect a few comics. This was the era of Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Walt Simonson, and a whole lot of very creative artists and writers trying to push the medium into directions it hadn't gone before. What mostly followed in the 90's were pale imitations compared to these; just re-hacked story arcs and plots, obviously borrowed from this time.
Then Sam Hamm, the one who wrote the script for the upcoming Batman movie, was invited to guest write the Batman comic. He wrote 3 issues, ending in the commemorative 600th issue. "Blind Justice". Great story, great pacing, great characterization, and great climax. The movie should've be great too.
It wasn't. It got "Hollywood"-ized. They dumbed down the script; they had some good aspiring actors and actresses as candidates for each character, but instead went with the famous stars for movie marketability. They were thinking of a younger joker. And Michael Keaton ... he needs the suit just to make himself look more intimidating. If I remember correctly, Hamm wasn't pleased with the finished product either.
But Hollywood got the movie they wanted ... a movie with mass appeal, with a simple story, great effects, big name stars, and all the marketing for toys, etc.
A testament to Hamm's writing skills ... a character he co-created for the Batman comic he wrote in 1989(?), Ducard, is the character played by Liam Neeson in the Batman Begins movie.
Batman Begins ... now that's a Batman movie.
Then Sam Hamm, the one who wrote the script for the upcoming Batman movie, was invited to guest write the Batman comic. He wrote 3 issues, ending in the commemorative 600th issue. "Blind Justice". Great story, great pacing, great characterization, and great climax. The movie should've be great too.
It wasn't. It got "Hollywood"-ized. They dumbed down the script; they had some good aspiring actors and actresses as candidates for each character, but instead went with the famous stars for movie marketability. They were thinking of a younger joker. And Michael Keaton ... he needs the suit just to make himself look more intimidating. If I remember correctly, Hamm wasn't pleased with the finished product either.
But Hollywood got the movie they wanted ... a movie with mass appeal, with a simple story, great effects, big name stars, and all the marketing for toys, etc.
A testament to Hamm's writing skills ... a character he co-created for the Batman comic he wrote in 1989(?), Ducard, is the character played by Liam Neeson in the Batman Begins movie.
Batman Begins ... now that's a Batman movie.