MovieChat Forums > Batman: The Animated Series (1992) Discussion > Love it, but preposterous

Love it, but preposterous

posted 12 years ago by cjh8504
42 replies | jump to latest

I'm starting to watch the Animated series here again for the first time since it first aired, really, and seeing now as a 27 yr old as opposed to a 8 or 9 year old, you can see how ridiculous it is. I was watching one last night called Zatanna, or something about a magician that Bruce used to know, and they were stuck in a room where the wall with spikes was closing in on him and her. He whips out acid or something, and melts a couple spikes off to jam under one of the doors to stop it and pry open the ceiling with the other. Since when does Batman carry acid in his utility belt??? They should have died, or he shouls have had a batbomb or something. Whipping out acid was ridiculous. Or the one where the Riddler has him and Robin in a Minataur maze, where Batman had like a computer in his glove hat could control the giant hand of fate if rewired. Since when does Batman have a computer in his glove??? The writers just think of conveinant plot devices to get Batman out of ANY situation. It's pretty preposterous. All this being said, I still think it's a great cartoon, just lame how they come up with all this stuff to get him out of these situations. Thoughts???

[–] justinboggan 12 years ago

This thread is preposterous.

_____
The New Number 2: "Are you going to run?"
Number 6: "Like blazes. First chance I get."

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Now people can reply to the topic. Thanks.

[–] High_King 12 years ago

I just watched that episode the other day. I thought it was pretty creative how he used acid to stop that wall of spikes, and then used the spikes to climb out. But I was thinking, why didn't he just use the acid on the other wall, to make that one stop as well?

I don't know, this show is too badass overall to even notice silly details. But it was a Cartoon Network show based off a comic book, there will be some ridiculous moments.

SLYTHERIN
Cypress, Unicorn hair, 11 3/4 inches

[–] BrunoAntony 12 years ago

1) It's based on a comic.

2) Batman has virtually everything in his utility belt.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Acid??? Come on!!! He never had acid in his belt before. If there was like a precedent set, where he used acid before, okay. But, he just happened to have acid in his belt this one time?? Give me a break!!!! And what about the computer in his glove in the Riddler Minataur episode?? Pretty convienant. It's just too ridiculous. Bad guys could be shooting at him from point blank range, and they'll miss him too, is another thing I noticed.

[–] BrunoAntony 12 years ago

"Bad guys could be shooting at him from point blank range, and they'll miss him too, is another thing I noticed."

It's a comic based on a cartoon, with ice guns, werewolfs, men made out of clay, killer ostriches, etc ... its not supposed to be heavily realistic.

Also, do a google search for "Batman", "acid" and "utility belt" ... I'm sure you'll find something. The comic book character has been around for over 70 years and has pulled a wide variety of stuff out of his utility belt over that time.

[–] Atotaleclipse 12 years ago

cjh8504 loves Batman Returns and that is the most preposterous of all with marching penguin army and supernatural Catwoman.

Batman animated series is much better and more believable than Batman Returns.

[–] HellboundHero 12 years ago

Actually I'd say the animated series and Batman Returns are about even in the unrealistic department, as the animated series has plenty of science fiction and fantasy (sentient plants, people mutated into various animals, 600 year old eco-terrorists, and much more than that when you consider the wider DCAU such as witches, warlocks, demons, aliens, gods, etc.).

[–] PreachCaleb 12 years ago

This show is not in the least bit preposterous.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Your sarcasm is noted, Preach. And I know it's not supposed to be realistic and the whole idea of Batman in and of itself is preposterous, but while watching, I can't believe how conveinant everything is. Having all the exact things for any given situation. It's far fetched.

[–] thelostboy2007 12 years ago

cjh8504 , have you been watching it on the Hub? The few episodes I've caught that late are the ones you've mentioned.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

I have been watching it on the Hub. I enjoy it, it's just a little preposteous. I'm sitting there thinking: "Yeah. Batman always carries acid in his belt." It just takes away a little bit from it for me.

[–] PreachCaleb 12 years ago

What sarcasm? I meant it. This is one of the best animated shows of all time and isn't preposterous.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Well, it isn't preposterous that you think its one of the best animated shows of all time, but it's definitely preposterous how he gets out of every little jam. Apparently he carries EVERYTHING under the sun in his little belt. Including acid. Lol.

[–] thelostboy2007 12 years ago

Just watched the Ventriloquist episode. Animation was choppy in places but the resolution was cool, especially since I forgot they actually had their own continuity (Batman recounts being trained by Zatanna's father).

I liked the Riddler as a villain but agree that reprogramming the robotic hand was cheap and stupid.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Thank you. Since when does Batman have a computr in his glove. I just watched one last night where his own perosnal doctor gets kidnapped to do surgery on Rupert Thorne, and her and Thorne's brother are running on the roof. The 50 something year old Thorne makes the jump from roof to roof(RIGHT.), and then the old lady doctor is running along the roof, and there is a guy with a TOMMY GUN shooting at this elderly old lady from what couldn't be more than 10 feet away, and he misses?????? What the hell??!!! Then, she mostly makes the jump from roof to roof. Absolutely ridiculous.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Another one I just saw last not. Ra's Al Ghul is trying to get a piece of Egyptian paper that has some code in it. And Batman gets bit by a poisonous snake. Then, he whips out the antidote from his belt!!! How'd he know he'd get bitten by a snake and just happen to have the correct antidote?? Awful. Great overall episode, but that's just another ridiculous thing that happened.

[–] PreachCaleb 12 years ago

There's a guy who mutates into a 10 foot tall bat and another who is living clay, but Batman carrying antivenom is preposterous?

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Yes. It is.

[–] PreachCaleb 12 years ago

Hilarious. You do realize acid is real. And people do carry it around at times.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

[–] thelostboy2007 12 years ago

I noticed in part two of the Demon's Quest story that Ras Al Ghul actually made his minions remove the batbelt, as if Denny O'Neil (who wrote it) knew the writers had depended on it as a deus ex machina for so many episodes.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Right, The. And then there are times you can't believe they DIDN'T remove the belt. Lol. Yeah, people are always carrying around acid, Preach. Lol!! Nice try.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Just watched one with the Riddler, and he sets off a bomb with Batman in the room and he somehow survived. Now, the fact he his in the safe to survive the explosion, I don't mind, but how'd he get out of the safe from the inside?? Wouldn't the safe be tossed around with Batman inside, and then that kill him??? Wouldn't the heat from the fire cook Batman??? Again, ridiculous!!

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Bump

[–] cpo1002h 12 years ago

clearly, he used the acid in his belt to burn through the safe from the inside...

May thy blade chip and shatter...

[–] HellboundHero 12 years ago

Acid seems like something that could come in handy in a lot of situations, such as for eating through locks, chains, ropes, etc. Besides, having every gadget he needs in his utility belt is an old-school Batman trope.

[–] The_Film_Addict 12 years ago

I understand what you're saying, but with all due respect, I think you're putting too much emphasis on things that are trivial. Storytelling is a controlled environment. While there are moments of disbelief, it's part of the nature of story telling. Since the beginning of the series, and the mythos of the character for that matter, it's been established that Batman has a plethora of handy gadgets. I think when it comes of as preposterous is when the character does something out of the blue. For instance, I'd find it preposterous if Batman were able to fly. Batman is a detective, so...he thinks like one, which must explain why he has what is has when he needs it.

"I have given a name to my pain, and it is Batman!"
-Batman

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

But, he doesn't carry acid. I mean come on! Why would he ever need it. I also notice how a lot of things he carries in his belt are too big to fit into the belt itself.

[–] The_Film_Addict 12 years ago

I agree, it's outlandish, but considering that it's Batman, and nature of the mythos, it's just something the viewer has to accept. Like Clark Kent's disguise, his glasses. It's a controlled setting, it's just the way it goes.

"I have given a name to my pain, and it is Batman!"
-Batman

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

I know. I still enjoy it, as I've said. It's just hard to believe is all.

[–] PreachCaleb 12 years ago

He's a fictional character. He carries whatever the story needs him to carry.

Like Shawn Michaels. He's as resilient as the match needs him to be.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

[–] The_Nightwing 12 years ago

Why would he ever need it, you say? To dissolve ropes, locks, and moving walls with spikes in them.

[–] cjh8504 12 years ago

Don't buy it. He has his batarang or some sharp knife to cut ropes, and as far as locks go, I've seen him with like a mini blowtorch type thing to melt the locks. No acid. Sorry.

[–] GreatWhiteApeofBarsoom 12 years ago

Here's a thought: Maybe Batman occasionally changes the contents of his utility belt. That makes it extremely coincidental, you'll I'm sure say, but coincidences happen in real life. Also, Batman comes from a comic book and has roots in pulp fiction. Coincidence is often a part of the storytelling in both. It doesn't make it preposterous. I'm not going to defend every part of the series--for instance the writers displayed laziness in his escape from the trap Harley and Ivy threw him into in the toxic waste dump--but the idea that a guy with a pretty infinite number of gadgets in his utility belt might occasionally carry acid and use it one time doesn't strike me as farfetched or preposterous. Now if Batman suddenly was as strong as Superman and stopped the walls with his arms in the scene, THAT would be preposterous. That he has acid though is not since his utility belt has any number of things in it, even if his using acid at that particular moment is EXTREMELY coincidental.

Requiescat in pace, Krystle Papile. I'll always miss you.

[–] cpo1002h 12 years ago

the pouches in his belt contain a hidden pocket dimension where large items can be stored... kind of like the clothes worn by immortals in Highlander.

May thy blade chip and shatter...

[–] the_la_baker 11 years ago

Actually, He feeds all available data into his super computer prior to leaving the bat cave and the computer filters all the data through some sort of probability matrix determining the tools that will most likely need to be equipped in the utility belt.

DUH.

Seriously though, its BATMAN! He always has contrived gadgets to conveniently help him complete his mission or escape. http://static3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110520075226/batman/images/d/d 7/Whoswho_ubelt.gif

I think the OP might secretly hate Batman(and might not even realize it).

[–] cpo1002h 10 years ago

Bat-denial? Yeah, I agree. Buy him a year's worth of Batutsi classes.
He'll be as right as rain.

May thy blade chip and shatter...

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] LaPfieffer92 12 years ago

man this guy is such full of crap. he does realize its based on a comic book, and is a cartoon show, right? seriously.

Realism, Remakes and Unnecessary Sequels are ruining movies!

[–] model101 11 years ago

This can be answered simply.

BECAUSE HE IS BATMAN.

That is all you need.

You are talking about a guy who has fought people with super powers in the comic and has come up on top when there is no way in hell he should have.
Hell 1 punch from Superman would easily kill him even if Supes held back I doubt that even supes can hold back enough not seriously hurt someone without powers. But it's a comic book so it's not suppose to be real.

In real life do you think guys like The Joker would get out of jail so easily all the time? NO, hell the Joker would have been executed for the stuff he pulled.