Ben Affleck made his final appearance as Batman in “The Flash,” a movie that tackled one of the longstanding criticisms surrounding the character. Despite a troubled history as Gotham’s protector, Affleck’s portrayal in this film received widespread acclaim. The opening action sequence, which showcased Batman’s skills, was particularly praised, and Affleck himself admitted that he finally got the character right. All in all, “The Flash” served as a fitting send-off for his iteration of Batman.
While the original ending for Batman in “The Flash” would have been better suited to Affleck, the movie still managed to address some important concerns about the character. One of these concerns, which is not specific to Affleck’s version, is a recurring criticism of Batman throughout his various adaptations. Even in acclaimed films like “The Dark Knight” and “The Batman,” this issue remains. Therefore, it was refreshing to see The Flash tackle this criticism head-on.
One of the criticisms centers around Batman’s costume, which was addressed in the movie. However, the more significant issue revolves around Batman’s use of his immense wealth. Critics argue that rather than solely relying on his physical abilities to fight crime, Batman should focus on combating poverty in Gotham City. This perspective questions why Bruce Wayne, with his resources, doesn’t prioritize improving the city as a whole.
“The Flash” sheds light on this criticism and highlights the idea that Batman’s wealth could be better utilized to address systemic issues. Instead of solely focusing on being a masked vigilante, Bruce Wayne has the means to tackle poverty and other social problems. This portrayal of Batman challenges the notion that his vigilantism is the most effective way to protect Gotham.
However, it is important to note that the movie also acknowledges the limitations of this approach. Batman’s major villains, such as the Joker, the Penguin, and Two-Face, are not driven by poverty but rather by their own psychological motivations or thirst for power. Consequently, addressing poverty alone would not eliminate these supervillains. Nevertheless, exploring the poverty aspect of Bruce Wayne’s character alongside his crime-fighting escapades could provide an intriguing angle for future adaptations.
In conclusion, “The Flash” featuring Ben Affleck’s final appearance as Batman effectively tackled one of the enduring criticisms surrounding the character. By highlighting the issue of wealth and poverty in Gotham City, the movie opened up a new perspective on Batman’s role as a crime-fighter. While it is unlikely that addressing poverty alone would eliminate his major supervillains, exploring this aspect of the character could offer fresh storytelling opportunities in the future.