The Dark Knight Rises The TDKR Batsuit Discussion Thread IX

[regwec]

For the life of me, I'll never understand how so many of you guys seemingly hate this:

I understand it's somewhat busy, I know it's not comic accurate, I could do for a bigger symbol possibly, yeah the mask/cowl is a little weird (the only part I really dislike myself) but I'll be damn if that costume isn't one of the best we've gotten on film yet. I mean really, is it that bad? Seriously? I guess it could be, but man, I don't remember all this when we first saw it. To each his own indeed...

It lacks proportion or purpose, in large part, and is therefore pretty ugly. The head and chest are swollen by bulky rubber layering, while the segments of rubber do not conform to human anatomy, nor do they form a pleasing geometric design. You sense that complexity was introduced to the design for its own sake, rather than being tied to any coherent purpose, possibly in the hope that what is effectively still a cumbersome rubber wetsuit might seem more "high tech".

Finally, it might have been considered a clever design 20 years ago, but it exists in an age where there are many far better examples of superhero costumes translated to screen. It represents a missed opportunity and, I fear, complacency. The Joker's brilliant costume and Selina Kyle's beautiful outfits show that these designers don't lack talent; they just haven't applied it to the Batsuit.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Perhaps you should remove your head from within your a** then, Majik.

 

[Majik1387]

I would suggest you to do the same with your head from Nolan's rear.

 

[Doc Samson]

It lacks proportion or purpose, in large part, and is therefore pretty ugly. The head and chest are swollen by bulky rubber layering, while the segments of rubber do not conform to human anatomy, nor do they form a pleasing geometric design. You sense that complexity was introduced to the design for its own sake, rather than being tied to any coherent purpose, possibly in the hope that what is effectively still a cumbersome rubber wetsuit might seem more "high tech".

Finally, it might have been considered a clever design 20 years ago, but it exists in an age where there are many far better examples of superhero costumes translated to screen. It represents a missed opportunity and, I fear, complacency. The Joker's brilliant costume and Selina Kyle's beautiful outfits show that these designers don't lack talent; they just haven't applied it to the Batsuit.

I would say almost all of the previous suits lacked proportion as well, in addition to bulky & swollen rubber, in particular the BB suit itself. I think if nothing else, this suit at least appears to be much sleeker than any of the previous incarnations.

I will concede that the design introduces complexity just for the sake of it, however I don't know what purpose fake muscles serve in their absence? It becomes apparent, even in B89, that this is just a man in a costume, so basically, anything design-wise, in regards to form over function, serves no true purpose IMO.

 

[KRIM]

It wouldn't be publicly stated. Think of Michael Bay's former partner for The Rock and Armageddon. Jerry kept Michael in check and provided some insight.

Furthermore, WB does not trust the project with Snyder [alone] because of his recent struggles and failures. Nolan is a high caliber director (possibly the best director in Hollywood right now). Thus, his attachment to this project indicates that it's more than "two-cents" advice.

The suit Snyder had in mind contained trunks, bright colors, cotton material, and the S logo located on the cape. Yet, we get a suit with rubber texture, no trunks, dark colors, and a logo-less cape.

That doesn't sound like 'traditional' Zack Snyder to me...

Conjecture, surely.

 

[regwec]

I would say almost all of the previous suits lacked proportion as well, in addition to bulky & swollen rubber, in particular the BB suit itself. I think if nothing else, this suit at least appears to be much sleeker than any of the previous incarnations.

I will concede that the design introduces complexity just for the sake of it, however I don't know what purpose fake muscles serve in their absence? It becomes apparent, even in B89, that this is just a man in a costume, so basically, anything design-wise, in regards to form over function, serves no true purpose IMO.

I somewhat agree. I would, however, choose form or function over neither. The Batman '89 suit at least looked the part, even if the sculpted muscles where inherently pointless and the material was too rigid to allow many acrobatics.

The TDK suit is not sculpted with beauty in mind, clearly, which would not be a problem if its efforts to simulate practicality were not undermined by its obstruction of human limb articulation. I find it to be an irritating and unsightly combination.

 

[Doc Samson]

I somewhat agree. I would, however, choose form or function over neither. The Batman '89 suit at least looked the part, even if the sculpted muscles where inherently pointless and the material was too rigid to allow many acrobatics.

The TDK suit is not sculpted with beauty in mind, clearly, which would not be a problem if its efforts to simulate practicality were undermined by its obstruction of human limb articulation. I find it to be an irritating and unsightly combination.

I can agree here. I do feel that, if indeed the aim was to feign the appearance of true practicality and real world application, the design should've been different. I think they probably should have went the whole way with it, implying real armor with real material.

That being said, strictly from a visual standpoint, I can't really call it unsightly. Quite the opposite actually, I think it's much more aesthetically pleasing than the prior incarnations, save for the B89 costume perhaps, but I at least can understand where your opinions originate from, as opposed to just hyperbolic drivel

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

Ive almost come to terms with the fact that im pretty sure were stuck with the suit for the whole next film. Such a shame really

 

[DoomsdayApex]

I would suggest you to do the same with your head from Nolan's rear.

A pleasure, as always.

Conjecture, surely.

Yes, however, it is extremely probable considering the circumstances.

It has nothing to do with my respect for Nolan but the statements that Snyder made himself about his approach to this trilogy, his filmography, style and personality. This suit alone contrasts what Zack Snyder's surely is as a director in CBM.

I don't make outlandish theories out of crap like Majik would like to believe. I study what a person says and implies, and then form educated guesses (that's how I knew Miranda Tate was more than just some board member, the LoS would return, and Selina Kyle would not be without Car Ears).

For example, take what Snyder recently stated in an interview:


"My feeling about Superman is that I've been a fan of the character for a long time. But the question for me was always, 'What can you do with Superman in a modern world?' And I think the amazing thing that Chris and David have created, that I'm working on now, and the reason why I was like, 'Yeah, I'll do that,' was that they found that in him. They found the why in him. That's the exciting part for me."

http://www.supermanmanofsteel.com/news.php?nid=9



This isn't Quantum Physics. Eventually you'll get a few gems like this one above that'll make your case.

 

[Mister Meddle]

The reasons I dislike TDK suit.

1. It's not comic accurate.

2. It's way too busy.

3. It's only semi-realistic. I can't picture a realistic Batman wearing a suit that's heavier than my weekly groceries.

4. Just like all of the suits, Batman still looks like a life sized action figure.

It's not impossible to make Batman look a bit more comic accurate with a suit that's more realistic, less bulky and not as busy.

 

[The Joker]

For the life of me, I'll never understand how so many of you guys seemingly hate this:

I understand it's somewhat busy, I know it's not comic accurate, I could do for a bigger symbol possibly, yeah the mask/cowl is a little weird (the only part I really dislike myself) but I'll be damn if that costume isn't one of the best we've gotten on film yet. I mean really, is it that bad? Seriously? I guess it could be, but man, I don't remember all this when we first saw it. To each his own indeed...

I've always liked the TDK suit. I never bought into the "too busy" argument. As for comic accurate, none of the bat suits have been that yet I see detractors of this drooling all over the equally disloyal Burton bat suits.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

The reasons I dislike TDK suit.

1. It's not comic accurate.

2. It's way too busy.

3. It's only semi-realistic. I can't picture a realistic Batman wearing a suit that's heavier than my weekly groceries.

4. Just like all of the suits, Batman still looks like a life sized action figure.

It's not impossible to make Batman look a bit more comic accurate with a suit that's more realistic, less bulky and not as busy.

Oh come on, Batman can't be in a cloth suit while fighting crime in a adaptation. Of course it's not comic accurate, because what Batman wears in the comics is beyond fantastical to be using in a grounded reality.

I love the TDK suit. I could do without the jigsaw legs but this suit is the second best Batman suit in adaptation history.

 

[Mister Meddle]

Oh come on, Batman can't be in a cloth suit while fighting crime in a adaptation. Of course it's not comic accurate, because what Batman wears in the comics is beyond fantastical to be using in a grounded reality.

I love the TDK suit. I could do without the jigsaw legs but this suit is the second best Batman suit in adaptation history.

Why not? Soldiers and police officers do. Do you really think somebody that's fighting crime would wear a bulky rubber suit that's heavier than their weekly groceries? There's a reason you only see these suits in films and video games.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Why not? Soldiers and police officers do. Do you really think somebody that's fighting crime would wear a bulky rubber suit that's heavier than their weekly groceries? There's a reason you only see these suits in films and video games.

Batman isn't your typical cop or a US soldier.

Each time Batman steps out of the shadows, he's literally putting himself into dangerous situations without weapons or back up. Armor is necessary to overcome the odds.

 

[KRIM]

Audiences have been doing just fine accepting their action heroes in bare apparel. I see no obvious reason why it is only Batman that has to emphasize his protective gear, if at all.

 

[Mister Meddle]

Batman isn't your typical cop or a US soldier.

Each time Batman steps out of the shadows, he's literally putting himself into dangerous situations without weapons or back up. Armor is necessary to overcome the odds.

That's the problem. Like you said Batman isn't a typical cop or soldier. He has to be more flexible, a lot quicker and more athletic. How can you accomplish that with a heavy duty suit? This was explained in the beginning of TDK which is ironic because he was given something that was heavier. Like I said there's a reason the rubber outfits and bulky armor suits are only used in films and video games.

I don't necessarily hate TDK suit. It's definitely not a deal breaker. I like the idea of Batman's movements looking a lot more natural. It's just not the way I picture a live action Batman.

 

[Boom]

I cannot wait to see the mass backpedaling if we ever get a fabric-based, comic-book-accurate suit. Hell, even just a fabric-based suit.

I will roll around in it like a pig in ****.

 

[Saint]

The more set pictures I see, the clearer it becomes to me that the TDK suit is all we're getting this time around.

Unfortunate.

 

[Boom]

The more set pictures I see, the clearer it becomes to me that the TDK suit is all we're getting this time around.

Unfortunate.

Look at the bright side, Saint. After next summer, we're back to a clean slate on the batsuit front .

 

[Saint]

Look at the bright side, Saint. After next summer, we're back to a clean slate on the batsuit front .

I hope so, but I've learned not to be optimistic about Batman's costuming.

 

[Boom]

Twenty three years.
Seven feature films.
Thirteen rubber suits (counting Robin and Batgirl).



Just let that soak in.

 

[itsthebatman]

I hope so, but I've learned not to be optimistic about Batman's costuming.

Someone needs a cuddle.

 

[helloiamben]

Ive almost come to terms with the fact that im pretty sure were stuck with the suit for the whole next film. Such a shame really

The more set pictures I see, the clearer it becomes to me that the TDK suit is all we're getting this time around.

Unfortunate.

Yeah, I honestly can't believe they didn't make a "new one". I don't hate the TDK suit but I think it should have been left as the "TDK suit". That was the look of Batman for THAT film.

I think Roven said it best,

http://www.movieweb.com/dvd/DVqtMyuvIDpZuw/exclusive-the-bat-suit

"Bruce is a highly evolved guy he's made him self so and he's constantly looking for innovative things and learning from his experiences as the Batman. He's evolved and realizes that he needs to make modifications and continually upgrade the suit."

There's this tradition in every Batman film where the suit is "improved" and revised, it's been going on since 1989 which each consecutive Batman film. Each look of Batman fits that tone or style of the movie. Now they're just going to do away with it? That's where part of the excitement comes in for the "next one", the next Batman film. New actors joining the cast, a new villain or villains and a brand spanking new suit that the crew tries to keep hidden until it's reveal. That freshness is gone and we're just going to see more of the same.

None of that is happening.

 

[Saint]

Twenty three years.
Seven films.
Thirteen rubber suits (counting Robin and Batgirl).

Just let that soak in.

The thing that shocks me isn't so much that black rubber is all we've seen, it's the people who will tell you that the existing attempts are all that can possibly work. I know I've said this about a hundred times, but Spider-Man can look like Spider-Man, Green Lantern can look like Green Lantern, and the X-Men can be yellow--and we've still got people in this very thread trying to tell me that grey isn't going to work on film.

Grey.

Bah!

Someone needs a cuddle.

Probably.

 

[itsthebatman]

New actors joining the cast, a new villain or villains and a brand spanking new suit that the crew tries to keep hidden until it's reveal. That freshness is gone and we're just going to see more of the same.

None of that is happening.

Seriously?