I know that it’s been a little while since “The Flash” came out in theaters, but I got to say that after seeing the movie again on Max, I think that it’s clear to say that Michael Keatonis the best actor that has played the Caped Crusader.

Keaton played the hero in the Tim Burton-directed superhero flick way back in 1989. Many fans were skeptical of the controversial casting but were happy to have him in the film after it was released and welcomed him back for the sequel in 1992.

Here is why Keaton reigns supreme as the comic-book hero.

HE LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR “DARK” BATMAN

Batman 1989 [credit: Warner Bros.]

Before Michael Keaton, the only thing that fans had for Batman was Adam West on the 1960s tv series and while the series had its moments, they seemed more campy than actually dark. West had a more comical take on the character which might have been fine for the 1960s but it doesn’t really honor the source material.

Keaton brought the character into darker territory and allowed Batmen after him to run, but only after he had to walk in the batsuit and it was a breath of fresh air to see it.

HIS ORIGIN STORY IS MORE TRAGIC

Batman 1989 [credit: Warner Bros.]

In the original comics, Bruce Wayne’s parents are killed by the criminal Joe Chill. And the tragic event is what made him the caped crusader. That is a great origin story, however, the 1989 film changes a few things.

In the Tim Burton movie, Jack Napier a.k.a., the Joker kills Wayne’s parents. Albeit, this is before Napier becomes the Joker  but it makes for a great connection as to why Batman has such a true and deep disdain for the Joker, thus making their hero-villain dynamic more palpable to watch.

HE TOOK ON A KRYPTONIAN WITHOUT KRYPTONITE

The Flash 2023 [credit: Warner Bros.]

If you haven’t seen The Flash, spoiler alert because Keaton’s Batman takes down the kryptonian Nam-ek in the coolest and briefest showdown in the DCEU, where Batman grapples the Kryptonian by the neck attaching bombs to him and finally knocking the alien to the ground with a final explosion.

Keaton can rest easy knowing that he was the only Batman to knock down a Kryptonian without Kryptonite. Not even Affleck could attest to that.

In recent years, Netflix has invested in a lot of high-profile action thrillers. Films such as ‘Red Notice’ and ‘The Gray Man’ exceeded all the expectations with hi-octane action and Hollywood A-listers. The streaming platform seems to be in no mood to stop and has come forward with another banger, titled ‘Heart of Stone.’ Starring Gal Gadot in the lead role, the film chronicles the journey of a secret agent named Stone (Gadot) and how she becomes a part of an operation to catch a man. However, things go awry as they move forward.

Over the years, we have seen a lot of action movies with really good twists and turns. ‘Heart of Stone’ is similar and has some really extraordinary twists, keeping fans at the edge of their seats. The film is packed with adrenaline-pumping action sequences that keep viewers glued to the screen. From intense hand-to-hand combat scenes to daring chase sequences, the film delivers on the promise of thrilling entertainment. The stylish cinematography and slick visual effects enhance the overall experience, making each action set piece visually stunning. Director Tom Harper successfully crafts visually appealing and dynamic action scenes that further immerse audiences in the world of espionage and danger. The plot twists and turns, ensuring unpredictable surprises that keep viewers guessing.

Gal Gadot as Rachel Stone in a still from ‘Heart of Stone’ (Netflix)

Even though there is some good suspense and action, the film has a familiar storyline and as it progresses, viewers start to successfully foreshadow what will happen in the next few scenes. The predictability of the script is really annoying and leads viewers to a direction that has already been tried and tested by the ‘Mission: Impossible’ series.

But when it comes to action, ‘Heart of Stone’ is packed with adrenaline-pumping sequences. It is one of those movies that will keep the audiences because of insane action pieces and how every actor performs in those particular scenes.

Jamie Dornan as Parker in a still from ‘Heart of Stone’ (Netflix)

Acting wise, Gal Gadot shines in her most intense role yet. Her performance as Rachel Stone is really good. She delivers an outstanding performance as the skilled and enigmatic operative. Gadot’s performance elevates the film, making her a compelling action heroine to root for throughout the gripping storyline. Meanwhile, Jamie Dornan is excellent as Parker and is a part of one of the most insane twists in recent movie history.On the other hand, Indian actor Alia Bhatt is brilliant in her Hollywood debut. At first, her dialogue delivery might unsettle you, but as the movie moves forward, she lets the world know why she was chosen for this role.

Alia Bhatt as Keya in a still from ‘Heart of Stone’ (Netflix)

All in all, ‘Heart of Stone’ is a good one-time watch that keeps viewers glued to their screens because of excellent action scenes, good twists, and brilliant performances. The film is shot beautifully, but the script turns out to be a little flat when it has to show all the other elements. Nevertheless, it is a decent movie that successfully provides the entertainment it promises.

The following piece was written during the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the comic book material being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Twisted Metal Plot

The series’ primary protagonist, John Doe, is a motormouthed outsider with no memory of his past, who is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make his wish of finding a community to belong to come true, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

With the help of Quiet, a trigger-happy car thief searching for revenge, he faces twisted marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a highway patrolman, a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck and many other brutal drivers with their own agenda.

Review (No Spoilers)

The TV series is an adaptation of the famous Twisted Metal video games of Sony PlayStation. The gameplay revolves around weaponized motor vehicles battling out in various arenas and the victor moved on through various stages until you beat all of the other drivers in the tournament. The series didn’t follow any tournament format, but the destructive and weaponized cars brought back many childhood memories of late nights with Twisted Metal 4. The series teases a lot of elements of the video game such as the one game poster, a cheat code and many names of the various characters from the video game.

Twisted Metal [credit: peacocktv]

Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz were a potent combination on-screen and I really enjoyed the energy they brought to the Twisted Metal series. There are various cast members joining us for short intervals and many you many recognize from other productions. Thomas Haden Church and Will Arnett / Samoa Joe play the part of the series’ antagonists, Agent Stone and Sweet Tooth respectively. They really played their parts to perfection.

There are ten episodes in the series, with an average of 30 minutes per episode. The story doesn’t beat around the bush and speeds off to the main points and actions scenes. I really wish the last episode could have been longer because the action scenes were explosive.

Make sure to catch the post-credits at the end of the last episode. This series is meant for a mature audience. Lots of blood, language and semi-revealing clothing.

This series is a 4.5 of out 5 for me. Thank you Peacock for bringing a childhood video game to life. Really hopeful that we get to see a sequel to Twisted Metal Season 1.