The Lego Batman Movie

Keaton, Bale, Affleck, Pattinson. Four men who have held the mantle of Batman, yet there's one that truly trumps them all…

Following his iconic debut in The Lego Movie, Will Arnett's tiny plastic iteration of the caped crusader swings back onto our screens. Despite saving the world yet again, Batman faces his greatest enemy once more. However, without the help of new police chief Barbara Gordon, Batman must go it alone. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne finds himself unknowingly adopting a young Dick Grayson, whose lighthearted nature forces him to reconsider his dark and brooding persona. Maybe something has been missing from Wayne's life this whole time…

After the recent slew of 'love letters to cinema', I declare this a love letter to Batman. Anybody who is remotely close to me knows how much I rave about this film. It's funny, wholesome and actually made me cry once, which is an achievement in of itself. It's got the best representation of the Batman/Joker dynamic, and will have you saying, 'wait, is this some sort of rom-com?' As term three begins, what better time to see THE best Batman film!

Being the Batman would be great, right? Saving the city time and time again, owning all the coolest gadgets, life seldom gets better. But what’s it like to be Bruce Wayne?

Following 2014’s hit animation, The Lego Movie, Chris McKay directs a heartfelt take on what life is like as the alter-ego of the caped crusader. Faced with stopping the latest ploy by the Joker (Zach Galifianakis), and without the support of the head of the Gotham Police department, Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson), Batman (Will Arnett) faces his toughest challenge yet. Further still, his life as Bruce Wayne is shaken by his accidental adoption of Dick Grayson (Michael Cera), who’s appearance in Wayne Manor asks big questions of his moral make-up.

Unlike in previous Batman films (and there has been a lot), the Lego Batman Movie steps the action aside, although it is still present in healthy doses throughout, and allows Bruce Wayne’s daily life to take centre stage. Will Arnett showcases an often under-utilised depth to the character, and it’s in this warmth that the film excels. The adoration for the character is evident throughout, and subtle nods to previous incarnations are sure to make hardcore DC fans smirk.

For those expecting a witty, humorous and welcomingly emotive take on the Dark Knight, the Lego Batman Movie is sure to satisfy.