Movies News Talk
With one prominent DC Extended Universe release in 2016, the argument on whether Batman's "white eye" look would be successful on movies was already resolved. Usually for the sake of streamlining the graphics, the Batman comics feature the titular Dark Knight without fully visible eyes. Usually seen wearing his mask, the totally masked Batman has basic white eyes. This also holds true for some animated versions of Batman and his allies, and readers and watchers of Batman have come to find rather appealing the appearances. While some have questioned if (and how) the white eye look of the Dark Knight would fit a live-action adaptation, most live-action Batman films have never tried using it. Early Batman movie serials and 1966 TV shows all provided Batman with somewhat modest outfits that were rather near to the comic source material. Beginning with the game-changing 1989 Batman movie, Batman's live-action outfits have been various kinds of high-tech armor, often with enhancements particular to the movies themselves. Still, the white eye appearance would not fit a live-action Batman movie until midway through the Dceu chronology.
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition at last makes use of the white eye appearance for Batman twice. First comes following Batman's attack on the LexCorp Industries building. Lex Luthor is shown with brilliant white eyes in this brief moment as he views security camera footage of Batman ambushing one of his guards from above. Batman later builds a highly armored Batsuit shielding his eyes in white-glowing optics to battle Superman. Both times show that Batman's white eye look is not only feasible but also can be employed to create chilling effect. Although earlier live-action Batman films like Michael Keaton's and Christian Bale's versions have their virtues, Ben Affleck's rendition is maybe the greatest as it so naturally becomes a terrifying specter-like figure. As Batman releases Lex Luthor's security, the white eyes on the surveillance camera image make him a terrifying and unearthly guy. Though they are not nearly as frightening when the white eyes return on Batman's armored costume, they definitely capture the look and feel of the comics – especially the contentious but powerful The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, to life.
DC comics and animated Batman adaptations probably use the white-eyed look to simplify Batman's design and give him more unearthly look for his intimidation methods. Without providing Batman's cowl eye glasses, this is challenging to accommodate live-action. Batman's armored costume in the Dceu shows that although they were only actually employed for a specific Batsuit version, shining white eye glasses may work nicely onscreen. The lenses might limit the actor's expressions if used on a conventional suit, but the security camera film did manage to highlight the white eyes on the suit. Behind-the-scenes pictures reveal that Batman's Dawn of Justice basic cowl features retractable eye lenses that might glow white like those of the armored costume. Batman may have worn these glasses during his raid on LexCorp, which explains the white eyes shown on the security camera film.
Ben Affleck's Dawn of Justice standard Batsuit also showed how faithfully a comic-accurate Batman costume adapts to live-action. Michael Keaton wore an armored Batsuit jet black in the trend-setting 1989 Batman movie, save from its yellow utility belt and chest insignia. Many people rightfully adored the outfit even if it deviated greatly from the comics. Every live-action Batsuit that followed it maintained the armored appearance and black hue until Dawn of Justice broke the pattern by dressing Ben Affleck in gray. Among the very well-received features of Affleck's Batman outfit was In the first act of The Flash, Affleck's Batman notably sports an outfit with a considerably darker color scheme and heavy armor plating using one of his several Batsuit versions. Some viewers laughed at and questioned the costume, implying maybe Affleck's original gray suit would have been a better fit for his last action sequence. Batman suits in Dawn of Justice further corroborate this by showing how perfectly realistic comic coloring and elements like white eyes can work on movies.
Batman's costume's development in live-action film offers an intriguing mirror of the shifting standards in superhero movie design. From the basic yet classic outfits of the early Batman film serials and the 1966 TV series to the more complex and technologically advanced suits of the present period, Batman's costume has often mirrored the technological and visual trends of its day. Batman's costume design underwent a sea change with the blockbuster 1989 Batman movie, which brought a darker and more armored look that has evolved into a distinguishing feature of the character's look in next movies. Batman's outfit has changed since then, combining creative ideas and technological innovations particular to each movie with elements of comic book accuracy. One instance of the continuous discussion on how to most suit comic book aesthetics for the big screen is the argument over the usage of white eyes in Batman's live-action costume. It will be interesting to see how Batman's clothing design keeps changing and reflecting public tastes and expectations as the franchise develops.