Thankfully, they persevere and push past all of Batman’s defenses, helping him realize in the end that he needs other people, that he needs a team, that he needs family. Alfred observes, “Your greatest fear is being part of a family again.” In a way, some of Batman’s ill-advised attempts to deflect help are actually intended to protect those he says he’s not in a “ship” with. Underneath Batman’s arrogance, bravado and pride lurks a darker secret: Bruce won’t let anyone in because he’s terrified of losing still more people he loves. And that’s where the movie’s other themes-the need we have for friendship, the importance of teamwork-start to come into play in a positive way. In fact, when other people try to aid him-whether it’s eager-beaver Dick Grayson (who eventually becomes Robin) or new commissioner Barbara Gordon (outgoing commissioner Jim Gordon’s daughter), or longsuffering and ever-patient Alfred-it mostly cramps his style. Bruce thinks he’s so competent that he doesn’t need any help. Unfortunately, he’s pretty aware of how heroically awesome he is. (As do his eventual teammates, by the way.) Bruce Wayne’s alter ego amps up his heroics over and over again. There’s plenty of heroism in The LEGO Batman Movie, of course. So if Batman is going to win this fight, he’s going to need help … even if he still has a really, really hard time admitting it. No, Joker is determined to prove that he really is Batman’s greatest nemesis, unleashing a hoard of dark, dastardly and dreaded bad guys to make his point. The catalyst for that realization is, of course, the Joker, who hasn’t taken Batman’s rejection well. And when Bruce “accidentally” adopts fellow orphan Dick Grayson, well, Alfred wisely knows that it’s time for Batman to open his heart-even if it takes a while for Batman himself to come to the same conclusion. Alfred knows that, even if Bruce Wayne doesn’t. Never opening up his heart to the possibility that he might experience such searing hurt again.īut it’s hard to go through life without relationships. No, the stoic vigilante is determined to live his life on his own terms. I think you would have been really pleased.” The closest Bruce comes to a relationship is with an old, happy family portrait on the wall-one picturing little Bruce smiling with his long-deceased parents. But other than that, the Caped Crusader’s billionaire alter ego, Bruce Wayne, shares his life with no one. His loyal butler, Alfred, is always attentive to Batman’s needs. “I can only imagine he’s going home to party the night away.” “It must be great to be Batman,” a news commentator gushes. No one does.”Īnd so Joker’s tears fall, even as Batman returns home to celebrate another victory over the bad guys. “Batman doesn’t do ships,” the cowled crime-fighter growls. “Are you seriously saying there is nothing special about our relationship?” the Joker asks, incredulous. No, Joker’s crying because Batman doesn’t agree that the green-haired, pale-skinned psychopath is his “greatest enemy.” The Joker’s tears aren’t because the Caped Crusader has once again foiled his latest nefarious plot to destroy Gotham City (though he has). The Joker’s calling card is his maniacal laugh.
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