That is the 1943 serial and I think you have to consider the time in which it was made. I'm not trying to excuse it or anything but Americans hated the Japanese because of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor just a year and half earlier and were still fighting them in WWII. It is easy for me to say "take it with a grain of salt" but then again my heritage isn't asian. But I am an eighth native american (though it has little effect on my life really) and I do somewhat see where you are coming from but obviously not to the same extent.
I have the 1949 serial. Much less racist and it has some really funny stuff. Batman and Robin ride around, literally, in Bruce Wayne's car (there is no Bat-mobile) but nobody seems to notice it. Also, Batman's cowl is way too big for the actor and it keeps on sliding over his eyes and the bat ears(?) are leaning over. All in all though, it is pretty boring (the bad guy is this lame villain called "The Wizard") by today's standards but it is still better than a Shu-mockery movie.
I totally get that the serial was a time based thing; like Eastern Europeans always being portrayed as tall, blonde and militant.. even if they're Russian and not German like in Rocky 4.
And I know to not get too upset about it; it's not like my Asian Culture teacher at Western a few years ago saying that the ritual of Seppuku was stupid (completely ignoring the honor aspect). .
It's just one of those things that isn't contemporary now. Plus, I've always considered the "yellow peril" a great example of how misguided our country can be.
But the movie itself was funny; they couldn't afford a Batmobile in this one either; they just drove the same car, and Alfred didn't even wear a disguise! They kind of drove into an alleyway and Batman/Robin changed clothes! Not even a fake license plate!
Comments 2
I have the 1949 serial. Much less racist and it has some really funny stuff. Batman and Robin ride around, literally, in Bruce Wayne's car (there is no Bat-mobile) but nobody seems to notice it. Also, Batman's cowl is way too big for the actor and it keeps on sliding over his eyes and the bat ears(?) are leaning over. All in all though, it is pretty boring (the bad guy is this lame villain called "The Wizard") by today's standards but it is still better than a Shu-mockery movie.
Reply
And I know to not get too upset about it; it's not like my Asian Culture teacher at Western a few years ago saying that the ritual of Seppuku was stupid (completely ignoring the honor aspect). .
It's just one of those things that isn't contemporary now. Plus, I've always considered the "yellow peril" a great example of how misguided our country can be.
But the movie itself was funny; they couldn't afford a Batmobile in this one either; they just drove the same car, and Alfred didn't even wear a disguise! They kind of drove into an alleyway and Batman/Robin changed clothes! Not even a fake license plate!
Reply
Leave a comment