KMC Forums - There's actually a good reason for Clooneys Batman

I know, I know.

Hear me out though, wether by design or not, Bruce Wayne/Batman has a very definitive arc across the Burton/Schummacher films that warrants discussion.

Batman:

Bruce is unhinged but crucially he never takes a life... that is until he finds out Jack is the one who killed his parents, then he snaps and starts murdering goons left and right culminating in his killing of the Joker.

Batman Returns:

Batman is killing left and right here. With Joker gone he's a shell of himself. No passion in his work... until Catwoman arrives, you see the spark regained, culminating in him stopping her from killing Schreck. Why? he sees in her what he has become and so he tries to save her from his fate "were the same, split, right down the centre" But she ultimately spurn him romantically AND ideologically as well; melting Schreck in the process.

Batman Forever:

Batman has changed his ways as a result of his prior experience and has now another chance to save another like him from going down the path of vengeance. Robin wants to kill 2 Face same as Bruce killed Joker and Bruce warns him where that path ends
"and so you run out into the night to find another face until you realize that revenge has become your whole life, and you won't know why"

At the same time he makes peace with WHY he is Batman; not for vengeance anymore but for justice instead.

Batman and Robin:

Now, content with saving Dick Grayson and making peace with who he is, he can be a more light hearted, jovial version of himself who crucially has a family by his side now. Batman has kids now. And all you parents out there know how children smooth those edges of youth...

He may be a bit too light hearted for some but Clooneys Batman absolutely earned that personality change over the course of the 4 films.