Batman Unmasked, The

Updated
batmanunmasked_front
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
2022
Original Running Time:
176
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
152
Time Cut:
24
Subtitles Available?
Available in HD?
Brief Synopsis:
At 2 hours and 32 minutes, "The Batman Unmasked" doesn't redefine the original source but delivers a leaner thriller while maintaining the essential mood and story.
Intention:
I first want to say that I loved the theatrical experience of this movie, and I wanted it to be longer if that was any way possible. Much thanks to Matt Reeves and co. for truly bringing forth detective-noir sensibilities to the Batman-movie mythos. After rewatching it a few times, I felt that there was a shorter version in there that makes sense and without sacrificing the tone of what the story is about. I went ahead and gave it a go, and I was able to edit the film down to 2 hours and 32 minutes, the same runtime as The Dark Knight (2008), to serve better pacing.
Other Sources:
"Kiss From a Rose" by Seal
"The Batman Theme | Epic Version" (feat. 1989 x The Dark Knight Theme) by Samuel Kim
Special Thanks:
DigModiFicaTion
Dwight Fry
Fanedits (IFDB) Subreddit Community
IFDB Community
Release Information:
Digital
Cuts and Additions:
1. Warner Bros logo replaced with the 70's variant that shows up at the beginning of Joker (2019). This movie has a pulpy, 70's vibe to it in the same vein as The Conversation (1974) and Taxi Driver (1976) so I thought it was fitting.

2. Removed binoculars/voyeurism Riddler scene.

3. Removed the fight scene at the train station. It's one of the first darlings I had to kill. As great as it is, the scene doesn't really add to the story or mood at all. I watched the Dolby interviews with Matt Reeves and it seems like they were going to remove it anyway but the reaction from the Fandome trailer was so overwhelming that they decided to keep it for continuity of it's tagline "I'm Vengeance". I went ahead and removed it for two reasons: A. Others call him Vengeance throughout the movie so it's known, and it doesn't need to be said here. B. Thugs being unafraid of Batman goes against the two previous instances where criminals are terrified of even looking at a dark alley. I understand that not all of Gotham feels the same way about Batman, but I want to maintain that mystique and fear at the start before going into detective mode as he arrives to Mayor Mitchell's murder scene- which I believe better suits Batman as a first impression.

4. Removed interaction with Officer Martinez. This is Batman in Year 2, and unless that officer is a rookie, it doesn't make sense that he would harass Batman while he's side by side with Gordon (him being a rookie doesn't matter either). Everyone else's body language and Commissioner Savage's entrance makes it obvious that not everyone in the police force feels the same as Gordon about Batman. Easy removal.

5. Removed scene with Selina inside the Taxi. We don't need to see the phone call inside the taxi. We already infer she's involved with Annika, and we already know from the previous shot that Bruce as the Drifter is following her. I also shortened the POV scene of Bruce with the binoculars surveying Selina's apartment.

6. Removed scene of Batman putting his gadget contact lens on Selina. It's a touching scene, but I think we get all the same information about Selina and Batman during the actual spying scenario (as she talks to herself/Batman through the device). I felt it was best to go straight into Selina in the club.

7. Shortened Riddler abducting DA Colson. I understand it's drawn out for a reason, but it doesn't hurt to edit down just a tad.

8. Removed short jumpscare at the orphanage. I loved that horror element, but I took it out for the sake of pacing. Without it, I think it's a better transition from Penguin's interrogation to the revelation of Riddler's hit on Bruce. Also, as someone pointed out in the fanedit community, removing the Drophead jumpscare in its entirety makes more sense than Batman finding out about this nest of addiction and not doing anything about it for the rest of the movie.

9. Shortened down shirtless Bruce being emo around Wayne Manor. Don't worry, I didn't edit out too much of that.

10. Took out entire scene of Bruce unlocking and discovering his parent's bedroom. I understand that it adds background, but for the sake of tone and story, it doesn't need to be in the movie. Everything we know about Thomas Wayne is conveyed through Falcone's and Alfred's confessions- both I kept in their entirety.

11. Shortened down Riddler's arrest. I don't think we need to see that espresso mug. We get it. It's the Riddler.

12. Removed Riddler and Joker scene in Arkham.

13. I made a big change on this film's denouement- the wrap of the story. First, I replaced the monologue song with a different song from the soundtrack. I like "Something in the Way" as a needle-drop and I understand why they wanted to bookend the movie this way. But I felt that a different song, an orchestral piece, better serves the ending. I combined Bruce's monologue together with his farewell to Selina. I think it works and really serves the story combining those two elements into a singular, final movement.

User reviews

2 reviews
Overall rating
 
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0(2)
Visual Editing
 
10.0(2)
Audio Editing
 
10.0(2)
Narrative
 
9.5(2)
Enjoyment
 
9.0(2)
(Updated: December 01, 2022)
Overall rating
 
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
I enjoyed the theatrical version, but I thought that it dragged on too long, particularly in the beginning. This cut addresses that and really tightens it up nicely. I thought the subway fight from the theatrical was great in isolation, but going from Bruce's monologue right to Mitchell's apartment made the story flow so much better. My only real complaint is the expresso question mark, but it's a minor one. Highly recommend

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
Owner's reply September 16, 2022

Much appreciated!

B
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 1 0
Overall rating
 
9.3
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
9.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
Extremely well made first time edit! A common criticism upon the release of The Batman, and one I can get behind, was that it was about half an hour too long. And that is exactly what this version addresses. 24 minutes have been excised without altering the narrative whatsoever, and it still feels complete, showing that maybe Matt Reeves recreated himself in his footage a bit too much. Chances are, though, that a few of the scenes that you remember the most vividly from the theatrical release will be absent here, as darlings have been admittedly and mercilessly killed, and some people will be likely to miss them. But if this was your first viewing, I assure you that you would never guess that anything was missing at all.

I must give a warning, though: the end credits song has been replaced, and the new one will likely be very divisive, and even a dealbreaker for some of you. Part of the viewers may find it fitting, while others could find it out of place or even unintentionally funny. Won't spoil it, I'll just say it's from another Batman movie. There's a subsequent instrumental piece that I think will be met with more consensus, a great homage to the different screen incarnations of the Bat.

Technically, as I said, this is very impressive. One of the most well-crafted first-time edits that I've ever encountered. Perfect 10s all around for that. Narratively, this edit doesn't fix all my issues with The Batman, but those are pretty specific and might not be anyone else's, so if you would have wished for a version of the film that is a tad faster and shorter but with the narrative unaltered, this one is definitely for you. Definitely solid stuff.
Owner's reply September 16, 2022

Again, thanks for the feedback, Dwight!

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