Dick Greyson
Aka: Robin
beleivability: What a product of the 90s... I am very glad that within dialogue they physically mention Dick Greyson being a college student, because at first, my one problem with the boy wonder was that he didn't really make sense as the orphaned youngster the comics portray him as. His scooter, for one thing, looks like a full fledged Harley. Interestingly, as a gymnast, he was entirely believable. From the very beginning of the film, you meet his family, you see the circus, and you witness the killing of his parents. He starts out entirely believable as a do-gooder, as he saves the entire circus tent (including Bruce Wayne) from exploading by selflessly going after a giant cartoony balloon bomb and shoving it out of the tent (and somehow into a pool near the top of the tent... maybe I missed that part when I was off staring at the spinning colored lights everywhere). He was another actor that acted surprisingly well considering the tone of the film. He played college bro with a tragic history forgoing most of his douchy brofests to prove himself a good person. His vengeance plays off like an all talk fratboy about the prank of stealing the opposing teams mascot before a game, but it oddly fits his character. Admittedly, while watching it, my roommate and I kept pondering the signifigance of the one earring, only to remember that during the 90s, wearing one douchebag earring on the left was not a symbol of latent homosexuality, but technically a hip fashion statement. Though to be fair, Batman is a full grown man who runs around in spandex and keeps a teenage gymnast in his basement... Still, not a bad rendition of Robin, if off from the normal interpretation. (This is Tim Burton after all).
Score: 7/10
Flaws: Not as many as you would think. Although driving the batmobile and not getting himself into dumb gang fights with the painted ladies of Chalkzone may be some of his failures... Considering how often he actually succeeds with what he is doing, you almost wish he would have more.
Score: 4/10
Abilities: flying through the air like a gymnastic squirrel. Er, robin. Rocking a single earring. Simultaneous angst and laid back attitude. Choosing to ignore Batman's wisdom. Getting past the Alfred radar. He does however, get points for being just as acrobatic as you would hope. His physical feats were nothing short of well done. Also another fetching round of rubber nipples on his Robin Suit. (and should we talk about that codpiece bulge he has going? I bet the joker would get in on that moment-
Score: 7/10
Personality Type: I suppose my earlier analogy to a frat boy about sums up my feelings on his personality. I hate to say it, but I don't particularly take him seriously-- maybe its the moment when he makes out with a girl while pretending to be batman, maybe its still that damned earring, reflecting the light of a thousand rotating gobos, but he seems like the type of person I would smile at, be friendly to, and pat on the head, scratching behind his ears when he has done something good, and throwing a bone to every once in a while. Good intentioned, strong, but not exactly intelligent.
Score: 4/10
Fears: Dick's fears were consciously addressed by the filmmakers, however, it wasn't really Dick's own thoughts that manifested the fears, but Batman's prodding in the right direction that made him seem to realize he may want to consider the repercussions of killing people. The fact that it took him as long as it did to understand heroism was a tad odd, considering the selfless act he performed at the beginning of the movie, but he got there eventually. Speaking of that selfless act, it seems one of Robin's fears has little to do with death, considering how often he rushes headlong into it. Kudos to him for approaching a giant bomb, silly looking though it was.
Score: 4/10
Position of Power: The Lancer. I wouldn't really call Dick Batman's muscle, but he does possess strong abilities, and he spends the entire film trying to convince Bruce of his value as a partner. In many ways, it seems as if he is really just training for his future pursuits as a superhero in his own right. High five to the writer for adding in that reference to Nightwing when Dick was exploring sidekick names.
Score: 5/10
Conflicts: Well, it may just be a small thing, but Harvey Dent did just kill his entire family (sortof) in front of him. Revenge for your fallen kin seems a pretty big motivator. It's only a shame that the different directions of this plot motivator were largely ignored. Going the obvious route in this film, however, may have been the right choice, what with crazies like Jim Carrey-- sorry "The Riddler" and Tommy Lee Flamboyant running around.
Score: 6/10
Love Plots: Well, there was that chick he made out with one time in Legend of the Hidden Temple land... and possibly Batman? I'm still unclear on what he means by 'partner'
Score: 1/10
Masculine Power: Well, he certainly thinks he has a lot of power, but he's quite the meathead. Muscle with no thought at all. "I'm really batman, I just forgot my suit, ok?". Cause everyone buys that, Dick. Clearly we know that you were named for your where your brain is.
4/10
Overall Complexity:
There are definately parts of this Robin I liked- it was interesting to have a situation where we physically watched this fairly carefree boys life go to smithereens. In fact, I felt he was most likable at the beginning of his appearance, as what happens to him is purely tragic. Even his mild angsting is fine, as it fits his mood, and how he may have reacted under such circumstances. When he saves the day but sees his family dead below him, I would say that, even with the camp surrounding the movie, we all felt some pain for the young man in the rafters. However, once this moment is complete, his character development sort of unravels, as he starts playing with Bruce's toys (unintended sexual moment win) and only uses cursory lines to unconvincingly remind us of his intent of killing Tommy Lee Fushiasuit. His performance is less than convincing in these moments, which detracts from the overall character, as you know from the outset that Robin will never murder Two Face. This detracts from the main drama of the plot, and feels as if the director were going through the motions. However, this is not a serious drama in any sense, so perhaps these stronger emotions would have detracted from the intention of the film entirely.
Overall complexity: 4.6/10
Stay tuned tomorrow for Chase Meridian...
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