When Bruce visited Metropolis in the comics, he said that it was so bright that even at night it always shines. But in Gotham it's so dark and filthy that even at day, it's always dim. I really love the Gotham in The Batman 2022.

I noticed this too - the Gotham in The Batman looks like one of the most grimy, wet, perpetually night cities ever in Batman media. Even the day scenes looked like a stormy evening.

"It's like the environment has caught a nasty cold" Couldn't have put it better myself, the whole city feels sick in a genuine way, adding more character to the whole place. Great video as always!

Moving the batcave into an abandoned subway terminus was genius. It makes sense that Batman would both want and need immediate access to the city, and the fact this batcave evokes the look and feel of Moria doesn’t hurt, either.

One thing I like were all the unfinished construction projects throughout the city. The renewal fund was meant to renovate these projects (Schools hospitals etc.). But Falcone and his cronies bled it dry like ticks feeding off the blood of a deer. By the time the film starts, these half finished projects are symptoms of the cities sickness.

Burton’s was timeless gothic. Schumacher’s was neon Greek. Nolan’s was a realistic Gotham but then turned into just Chicago and New York. Snyder’s was a generic city. And Reeves’ is a gritty gothic neon noir, and definitely my favorite as well

I left the theater saying the exact same thing. This Gotham feels diseased, sick, dirty, old yet new, and it feels like it will consume you and devour you in one piece. Everyone is talking about this being the most realistic Batman, but I find it surreal and otherworldly. There is an eerieness to gotham. It feels unsafe. Even in daylight, it feels like industrial fog blocks the sun. It seems to rain every night. Everyone looks a bit pale and haggard. Life is not easy here, the middle class was scrubbed out and now it's nothing but haves and have not's. The rich atop the poor. Trash is scattered all about the city and indignity is pandemic. The only alternative to reality is drug use or violence.

I personally think The Batman is the best pure Batman movie. Love The Dark Knight but the Batman just feels different. Both however are some of the best comic book movies of all time.

I think filming it in Glasgow and Liverpool especially were great ideas from Matt Reeves. My grandparents live in Liverpool and whenever I went, I always saw the gothic architecture and instantly thought it would be a good place to film a Batman movie. Clearly Matt Reeves understood this too.

I think it was a bit disingenuous to discuss Nolan's version of Gotham without addressing how it changed between the films. Batman Begins had an entirely different aesthetic to Gotham than the following movies did. This was an artistic decision that was meant to represent how the city was improving under Batman and Harvey Dent cleaning up crime in Gotham.

Yk, that ad break was so smooth I couldn’t even get a little annoyed LOL. But nah yea I think Matt Reeves absolutely nailed Gotham City. Such an amazing mix between gothic and old school architecture with the pointed sprawling towers which I have always loved, and the modern day appeal ofc with the all the regular buildings that you can see in the distance with all the signs and lights and all that. It feels alive and makes it seems like it can just get you at any moment if you slip up, like The Batman 🦇

The Riddler scream always gets me 🤣😆😂

Matt Reeves respected the comic books map. Comissioner Savage dies in the Tricorner Area, which is Downtown Gotham and the whole movie takes place in Downtown Gotham. Neighborhoods names were brought to the movie too, you see places like the Financial District, East End, Robbinsville, Bristol and most importante, the characters have Jersey accent, and I'm almost sure I've never seen a live action Batman where the characters notably had the Jersey accent, like we see in the comics.

4:13/Just to point out one beautiful detail that won me over towards Matt Reeves' take on Gotham City. SPOILER ALERT.... when the viewer gets introduced to a drophead robber within the opening monologue, we first see the exterior of a corner bodega. The awning has a faded red-orange color scheme. Having grown up in The Bronx, I can say from experience that those metallic awnings were exactly like that outside real bodegas throughout NYC. For Reeves and his cinematographer to put that much detail into a 4 second shot? Thank God this approach was taken! Yes, Tim Burton knocked one outta the park with his ultra-NYC take on Gotham. Still, Reeves and Company deserve many Oscars for this visual masterpiece.

When I watch a Batman movie, I sometimes imagine what it would feel like living in it. You summed up what I generally think of; Burton and Schumacher's Gotham City has so much style and grime and Nolan's Gotham was just this mundane, urban city, just filled with corruption. I'd probably consider staying in both, just for the aesthetic and the masked superhero. The Joker Gotham is probably much scarier compared to the last two, but this movie... WOW, Reeves' Gotham City is a sad, dark, wet, absolutely miserable city that I wouldn't even dare trying to live there, and that makes it the perfect Gotham City, a city in need of a crusader.

I disagree with the notion that Nolan’s interpretation of gotham was basically just chicago. The Dark Knight, for sure, but Batman Begins had more of an aesthetic of a hyper industrialized city like hong kong. The Dark Knight Rises was way more blatantly based off of philadelphia than chicago EDIT: Pittsburgh not philly

Great Video, I know a lot of the film was shot in Glasgow but it's worth mentioning that even more of the film was shot in Liverpool and northern England, I remember seeing them film Batman taking flight from the Liver Clock tower, and then they used St George's hall for the mayor's funeral. I think the gothic architecture of Liverpool whilst also the bleakness of northern skies added a lot to Gotham.

Great video, I wished you spoke more about Nolan's batman begins Gotham. It was really good but got scraped for boring Chicago in the dark knight.

They’re both perfect but I slightly prefer the Tim Burton one, just because it’s more theatrical and with a more gothic type of architecture. It’s pretty much the Gotham shown in the old comics and animated series. But this one is also perfect for a more modern take. It blends realism with style which is really great They’re both the best. As a movie tho I prefer The Batman by far

Gotham City in the Batman has a lot more personality and a real good vision, You can definitely tell Matt Reeves did a fantastic job with this film!

6:27 you hit the nail on the head with that description. None have ever come as close to yours

finally found a channel that putting attention to Matt reeves’s gotham. they talk about how great the actors are, story and cinematography. but they keep forgetting about Gotham which something can’t be ignored when you watch batman movie.

You make videos that fit on a 100,000 subscriber channel you are easily the most underrated creator on this platform.

"The shadows are alive with the threat of Batman" That may or may not be an intentional Sound of Music reference, but I love it anyway.

He's a "lingerer" because he has to keep his head still so that he can get a clear recording of the crime scene and the evidence that he's interested in getting details of.

I really hope this movie bags some Oscars! Production design, Cinematography, Music, Make and hairstyling and even direction comes to mind. Brilliant

I agree. Gotham City in The Batman (2022) is my favorite one of all. And it's also one of my favorite movies based on cinematography as well.

From the first impression of the city ( 0:09 ) I immediately got a different feel of Gotham. The one in Joker was dirty, I quite liked it, but it generally lacked the shadows and rainy ambience due to a lot of daytime shots. Gotham in The Batman reminded me of how it was presented in the Arkham Games (Arkham Knight especially!) which is my favourite depiction alongside this and the Animated Series. It just has so much character. Like in the Arkhamverse and Animated Series, it had the harsh shadows juxtaposed with the modern lights and technology overtop. I honestly didn't notice this detail too much until you mentioned it, but it's everywhere. Not only that, but having the full shadows and splashes of light, rain, and shooting them in a stylistic way really feels true to the Gotham many associate with Batman. I loved the gothic-age architecture in Batman (1889), which was complimented nicely with the music Elfman did for that film. However, it does look like a sound stage and therefore feels limited in a way. The Batman (2022) really took Gotham and gave it a massive wingspan in comparison, and feels like a place you could actually visit and wander endlessly. It's interesting to see how the costume for Batman in any given movie really feels like it belongs with the backdrop of the city. I think switching any of the batsuits around would bring a different tone, really highlighting the fact that Gotham is indeed a character in of itself. Some have a bigger part, and some feel simply like a backdrop. The most memorable ones not only feel like they have a history, but also present the mood associated with the story. I can't wait to see more of the Pattinverse, not only for the portrayal of the characters but the world they inhabit. Great vid! - Starc0unter Video Essays

Watching this Gotham in the theatre made me cautious. The kind of cautious you feel when you're walking back home in the dead of night, and your way is lighted by dingy streetlights. I don't think I'd feel safe being out alone at night in Gotham. And I think that's the best version of Gotham. Making you feel unsafe, and suspicious of every stranger and every shadow.

This is a very well-made video; love your humor. New subscriber. I agree with the points you made: Nolan/Crowley’s realism was too jarring for a costumed vigilante to inhabit and JOKER’s Gotham was uninspiring and devoid of rats (which annoyed me as “rat infestation” was brought up in the first few lines of the movie). I do love Burton/Furst stylized Gotham, because I will always appreciate the art of handcrafted set models, but Reeves/Chinlund found the perfect middle ground. What a character their Gotham was. Should have been credited under “Cast”.

That Ad break was so campy and I absolutely loved it

This video fills me with pride and joy as my city was largely used for exteriors.

I also really like how the Narrows were depicted in Batman Begins, but for some reason that aesthetic was dropped in the sequels

I've been talking about this for days with my friends! Gotham feels like a character of it's own, the way it's twisted and tired and genuinely sick, the atmosphere of trouble... Gotham is very much alive in this film, and Matt Reeves did a fantastic job! Great video!

I feel like this Gotham drew heavy inspiration from Seattle and Portland’s gothic old-style architecture and the gloominess of their fall weather seasons. Regardless, it was very well done.

“Thursday, October 31st. The city’s streets are crowded for the holiday, even with the rain. Hidden in the chaos is the element, waiting to strike like snakes. And I'm there too. Watching. 2 years of nights have turned me into a nocturnal animal. I must choose my targets carefully. It's a big city. I can't be everywhere. But they don't know where I am. We have a signal now, for when I'm needed. When that light hits the sky, it's not just a call- it's a warning. To them. Fear is a tool. They think I'm hiding in the shadows. But I AM the shadows. I wish I could say I'm making a difference, but I don't know. Murder, robberies, assault- 2 years later, they're all up. And now this. This city's eating itself. Maybe it can't be saved, but i have to try. PUSH MYSELF. These nights all roll together in a rush, Behind the mask. Sometimes in the morning i have to force myself to remember everything that happened.” The best goddamn opening monologue Batman has ever done

Just clicked, haven't watch, but absolutely. Gotham is the best part of The Batman. It's that one thing that makes this one unique from the other Batman movies. I'm actually against the whole cinematic universe idea but given the extensive work on world building, it makes sense that Reeves and his team would want to flesh it out more.

Gotham is the best fictional city there is. It's a character in itself. This version is exactly what it should be. DARK, classic, grand, industrialized. I love this Gotham but also love the Gotham from Batman Arkham Knight. You can hear it, you can feel it! It's beyond me how great and intense it is. An amazing experience.

*julie andrews voice* the shadows are aliiiiive with the threat of baaatmaaan 🎶

Btw, I love all the shots of the city in the movie. But my favorite is the last scenes in the cemetery with the city backdrop and finally, the tunnel they ride through before parting ways is both beautiful and bittersweet.

The greatest thing about this version of Gotham City is that it is the New York of the 1970s. Make no mistake here, Gotham City was based in New York City (they just didn’t want to call it that way because of Marvel)… we’ve had Gotham City version of Chicago and New York but The Batman used a combination of New York, Chicago and bit of Liverpool, although the vibes a purely New York 1970s Taxi Driver-style. You’re entirely wrong about the European architecture here. Matt Reeves literally said almost all the city shots are from New York and Chicago. Not Edinburgh, not Liverpool, only a few grounded shots are. Movie was filmed there but there aren’t many places that are from in Europe in the movie. Gotham Garden is literally Madison Square Garden, and the first scene is a modified version of Times Square in New York and the skyline is a modified version of Central Park. When throws himself from the tower is the same one from Chicago. So your video is a bit misleading about where the movie was actually shot. It’s basically American cities modified a bit.

WHILE watching The Batman, I also thought that Gotham is being treated as a character in it. And this was one of, if not the, best things about that film.

There's a lot of little things in TB that I wasn't a fan of, but I want a whole franchise built around this Gotham. Even the daytime scenes are full of personality. Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Mr Freeze, the outlandish villains that were too crass for Nolan's sensibilities, would absolutely thrive in TB's vision of Gotham, which is basically a city-sized version of a haunted house

This is a good analysis. Hope ur channel booms soon. Liked and subscribed.

HOW! HOW DID I get an ad during the ad break????

Good vid dude. I really like your overall sensibility regarding the Gotham aesthetic, and what works & doesn't work.

This was awesome, you really hit on the important and inseparable relationship between the characters and the city they inhabit, not just “does the city look X way” but “does the character fit into this city believably?” One little detail that has stuck with me since I watched The Batman: Bruce’s journal is titled “the Gotham project.” The city is at the center of his driven, obsessed vigilantism, and his monologues reflect that. Awesome video man, keep it up! God bless you!

I was genuinely surprised when an ad popped up right when he said it would. I wasn’t even bothered, just amazed. Spectacular video by the way, the way you describe Matt Reeves’ Gotham in such detail increases my love for it even more!

Love your channel! Very good analysis, humor, editing and the voice is *chef kiss*. Subbed.

I pray this version of batman goes on well into the future and we get to see Neo Gotham with my boy Terry in a live action role.

Despite Joker’s Gotham having little resemblance to Gotham, what it did well, like the new one, is that the setting fitted the tone, story and most importantly, the characters inhabiting it. Begins was quite good, but after that, like you said, when batman is on screen in the city, he looks out of place. The setting was great for the joker parts and the more political sides or less fantastical bits of the films, especially with Robin’s bit in TDK, but batman and the city had a clash in ideals that wasn’t really blended well. That’s probably why I like the pit in TDK, cause it feels like something from begins

Your videos are great man! Keep up work like this and I’m sure the algorithm will find you soon enough

I always somehow felt that the Battinson Gotham always seemed like what I would have imagined "if gotham were real" to actually be. If you imagined it, just on what few words come to mind. As polar opposite to Superman. Dark, Grungy, Gritty, but believable. A city that was a dark, artisticratic maze overtop a giant slum. Them choosing a European city for it was a really good idea, because it still has that oldness mixed with new in that contrast as opposed to it being entirely American and current with the futuristic glass windows of today. The movie to me feels like an American-version of a lower class London, especially with the grayness in the day time, its kind of how I'm used to seeng "daytime" UK shows. Batman 2022 really does nail visual storytelling through tone and atmosphere. Especially because of how much the city plays a role in the general themes of Batman. Its like a grittier Sherlock Homles in atmosphere and aesthetic but still recognizably semi-American.

3:14 really hope that statement ages well

Great video 👍 Finally a director who understands the importance of Gotham in a Batman movie. Reeves, like Burton did in the past, tells the characters with set design. Wayne Tower and Iceberg Lounge are amazing

I agree with you on Reeves' Gotham. It's a city so spoiled with corruption, it makes us question; it's a rot, yet somehow inviting. A solid setting for neo-noir mysteries. On Burton's, I think looking a lot like a soundstage actually compliments it. But that's just me; the movie is older than me. I can't say it's aged badly when it always looks like that. I disagree with you on Nolan's. A more "fantastical" or comic book aesthetic Gotham would've lessen the impact of the theme and commentary. Maybe the idea of a billionaire playboy moonlighting as a vigilante dressed like a bat is inherently silly, but I'd argue that Nolan was just challenging that. I think his only flaw was a lack of representation of the ordinary citizens. That's just my take. I admit that I'm only familiar with the film interpretations of the character, so you could say I'm not well versed with the essence of Batman. I will say that I'll stick with whatever works for the movie.

The thing about Todd Philips Gotham is that it is supposed to be a point of view of Joker, in a lot of old Joker comics, the aesthetic has usually been psychedelic in terms of coulours

why is the Gotham from the show GOTHAM never mentioned in most of the video essays about Gotham City ever?

Keaton: Protects Gotham Bale: Inspires Gotham Affleck: Scares Gotham Pattinson: Fights back at Gotham

Great video man. That's some good stuff 👍

awesome video! deserves more recognition!

gotham in the newest batman, was like NYC from 30s mixed with modern flare, i really felt that the city lived a life.

"My dad can buy a human being and has" Well, I suppose you are right about how well that product of his aged

Great video

I almost spit my food out when I saw your view count. This deserves so much recognition!!!

great analysis

Your editing is really good i think you'll be really successful on yt

I loved it. Felt like a true interpretation of Batman and Gotham in contrast to hyper realistic Gotham depicted in the Nolan trilogy

*this gotham city was pretty damn fine and visually was beautiful, much better than the chicago based one from the batman trilogy, not sure what batflecks Gotham looks like but it could’ve been great too*

Even as an opinionated aesthetics-knotsy, I have to say there really hasn't been a Gotham City depiction I don't like... I can't even say I have a preference. They all bring something unique to the table that works perfectly for what it is. But you're right, this film was pitch-perfect in its synthesis of gothic drama and gritty realism. Didn't know it was shot in Scotland either, but what a concept - putting a New World lens on Old World locations makes it just the right amount of uncanny, feels like real places I've seen along the east coast of America, just enhanced in certain ways.

impeccably great video

I agree with everything you said about Reeves’ portrayal of Gotham City. It was defiantly the best depiction of the dark, dirty dystopia since the Burton movies. Before shooting Batman Begins, Nolan invited the whole movie crew to a private screening of Blade Runner and said after the movie: “This is how we're going to make 'Batman'.” Ironically, I think Burton and Reeves did a better job giving Gotham City the Blade Runner-esque imagery and immersive feel WAY better than Nolan did and that’s strange considering that Nolan once said: “Every film should have its own world, a logic and feel to it that expands beyond the exact image that the audience is seeing.” However, his Batman films, while they’re all phenomenal (especially The Dark Knight), don’t feel like they’re inserting me into another world. Great vid. Also, I think Batman: Mask of the Phantasm beats The Dark Knight, imo.

The Gotham tv show is my favorite piece of Batman media but the Batman movie version of Gotham city especially in the ending is brilliant

Gotham kinda looks like London in the Batman and its very realistic.

good production!

I would argue Burton's and Schumakers are still the shining light of all the films. The Batman looks like a melange of Times Square, Chicago and Long Island. It is pragmatic but also well done. Burton's Gotham was otherworldly and comic adjacent. It looks like Batman the Animated series replete with blimps and spotlights. The Batman really looks like Time Square sans the Disneyfication and exploitative "Dave & Busters", "Hard Rock restaurant" and "Bubba Gump" GREAT VID by the way. You really do an excellent analysis and i thoroughly enjoyed it

I really love your channel. Anyway, s'all good, man.

Aesthetically I like Forever’s, atmospherically I like The Batman’s

I LOVE the owmage to the original Tim Burton films. Gotham looks and FEELS Gothic, as it should again. Even without the Collosal Statues this is the Gotham that should be.

I love that there is a lot of gothic or gothic-inspired architecture it fits great with this edgy mood and it surtanly fits old money

Gotham reminded me a TON of the Gotham in Arkham Knight.

I still feel Batman Begins' Gotham had a bit more "Character" than 2022 version. Also the version in Gotham TV show was pretty good too. 2022 is amazing in its own merit but IMO its not the best version of Gotham.

Great video mate. Ive only just found your channel through this video so heres a like and a sub 👍

For some reason... I allways wanted to live in a city like Gotham. A huge huge american city with dark gothic architecture without a touch of modern glass buildings. The train stations are old a run over the street level, everything is dark, chaotic, crowded and cold. The city's skyline has a unique beauty to with with that beautiful architecture. I wish modernism never became a movement in architecture.

Snyderverse Gotham is just Nolan's Gotham with more cgi buildings to look spooky and misty, without the added effects it would the exact same as Metropolis. The new Gotham has the scale and shape of a modern city from Dark Knight with the grimy, art deco/neo-gothic architecture of Burton without being cartoonish at all, I could see Phoenix's Joker and the Tumbler inhabiting this city regardless of continuity.

It's always RAINING

Great video! In fact, I do think that shot in Nolan's last Batman movie is one of the things made me not care for it as much as TDK. It's also the extreme opposite of other earlier Batman movies. But The Batman strikes a good balance with its mix of classic gothic, modern, and industrial architecture.

I think people really underestimate the intricacies of Nolan's Gotham. In Batman Begins, we see crime bars in proximity to legal institutions, neglected housing districts, and the juxtaposition of new infrastructure spanning old neglected ones. Its orange, its filthy, and its awesome. In The Dark Knight, we see that is gone, improved by Batman's work. But the core infrastructure is slightly compromised always - like a bank where people use shotguns for defense or the club where Maroni a classic mobster sits in complete confidence amidst blaring modern music. Then the ending takes place back near the last failing infrastructure of the city. Its a film where each identifiably "rehabilitated" infrastructure still shows its cracks, imperfections, and where it can be compromised. I will argue the criticism over The Dark Knight Trilogy's lack of a good Gotham should be directed to The Dark Knight Rises. That Gotham is basically any old city and for good reason. It has been fixed by Batman, nearly permanently. It doesnt NEED Batman ... hence why he looks so out of place in it. He did his job basically by the end and the city shows that - regardless of how little character it has anymore. The Gotham of The Batman is one of perpetual failure, corruption, and night. It's where a figure like Batman thrives ... but if it continues looking that way, it implies that Batman isn't really effective in curing the city from its ailment.

Anything is better than using Chicago in TDK. Begins wasn't bad, but this one is the absolute best.

i loved the moment when the girl refused to let go of batman when the paramedics came. she sincerely felt safest in his arms. what a contrast from the start

Both Schumacher’s and Reeve‘s Film Versions of Gotham City are my most favorites! I Would love a mash up of both! With the gothic architecture, Statues, Town Square Screens!

nailed it x

I LOVE one specific detail about Gotham: It’s never sunny. Sure, there’s sunlight at sunset. But there’s never a scene in this movie with the sun high in the sky. It’s overcast, dreary, and pouring rain 90% the time. The only time we get any semblance of a clear sky is at the end of the film when the city is evacuating citizens via helicopter at sunrise. But even then, it’s like the sunset. It’s not overhead and sunny. It’s still Gotham. And that’s how I always imagined Gotham in my head. A bleak place where the sun never truly shines, where killers are born from the grime of the city. But there’s still good people there. Plenty of bad. But still good ones in need of saving. And they’re saved by a man dressed in black, so the monsters fear the shadows. A Dark Knight.

10:20 this part make me funny in the movie of the batman..u know why?..if you going the club..the song too loud,if u wanna talking with someone,u have to whisper

The Batman has to be the best Batman movie ever....And I'm really glad I get to say that😆

I remember I took my gf to the movies when it first came out and she said throughout the whole movie she liked the city and she’s never seen something like that before .That insured me that it was in fact the best Gotham lol

*agreed, it looks very lived in and has a gothic theme to it, has some of the realistic aspects of the Nolan film but not too much, this Gotham city IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST GOTHAM CITY EVER, not like Nolan’s Gotham which is pretty much chicago lol*

You're so underrated

Ive always really wanted a batman movie about gotham like a movie or comic about how messed up and corrupt it is and how the city failed its citizens. rampant with drugs and crime and mob familys corrupt cops ect. similar to citys like LA... or Chicago i think. Causing characters like riddler, catwoman, jason todd, joker ect to do what they do.

Burton's Gotham is the best gotham, its not even close. Dark, scary, tall massive buildings with gothic and 1900's style, pipes and brigdes holding it all toghether creating a concrete labirynth of nightmares, just perfect.