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'Batman: Puppet Master' Brings Riddler to Life [Video]

It's not like there haven't been Batman fan films out there, but this new one called "Puppet Master" that surfaced last week is one of the best I've ever seen. Not only is it written to blend into the Nolanverse (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises) films with a more realistic version of Zsasz, Scarface, and the Riddler, and not only is it well-shot with great performances, and cool effects, but it's so well-done that at times I forgot I was watching a fan film and it felt like a real movie. Directed by Bryan Nest and written by Chris Wiltz, Puppet Master is like a lost chapter from The Dark Knight.

Here's the description:
In the months following the death of Harvey Dent, Batman, still a wanted fugitive, is pushed to his limits as a new crime wave hits Gotham. Batman's search to find who's responsible leads him to a showdown with the masochistic serial killer Victor Zsasz. Meanwhile Gotham's newest crime boss, a mysterious figure known as Scarface, has an meeting with an FBI agent sworn to bring down Batman at all costs.

What did you think of the short? Would you want to see the sequel?
[Source: YouTube]

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  1. Not bad, not bad at all. 15 minute videos or films are not easy to make nor cheap. Yeah, I'd like to see a sequel.

  2. Well produced for sure. Liked Zsasz, really liked Scarface, HATED the Riddler. I understand the attempt to Nolanize him - but you can still give us some green in the outfit (reversible jacket, for example) and make the character manic - because the character is manic - thank you Frank Gorshin. - even if only for a moment near the end. This version was underplayed to the point of boredom. But well done for the most part - and I would watch another effort from these guys. Of course, they could take their talents and resources and make something original too - something that really shows what they are capable of - and something they could make some money on, perhaps.

    This crabby moment brought to you by Crabby Me.

  3. Hate to be the contrarian...but other than sound editing, not so impressed.

  4. What problems did you have with the video?

  5. Remo, couple thoughts... One is that he is wearing green, just not a really bright green. It's not hugely obvious. Also the lighting is tinted green in his scenes.

    As for the manic quality of the Riddler, that was really just something from three sixties TV show, and they kept it up with Jim Carrey, but in the comics, the Riddler was never a crazed jumping bean, so I didn't have a problem with it.

  6. Nigel this is a cool video. I like how they used The Ventriloquist.

  7. The writing is very obviously fan-derived. Scarface makes a lousy live action villain. The acting is good, but not professionally good. If this was a TV show, I would not watch it. If it was a movie, it would be one of those bad movies a friend of mine made me watch too often for good health.

    Anyway, like I said, good editing wash on it, but its origins are obvious. Saying that it fits in with Nolan's films is a little on the nose.

  8. I thought it was pretty good for a fan video - way better then I could ever think of doing. Zsasz was very good. He looked different then I would typically imagine him - but it was a look that worked. The riddler - eh not my favorite - but I have a certain look in my mind for him, somewhere inbetween the Jim Carrey version and this one....but that's just my vision. I think Wesker was my favorite - he played the role perfectly and was able to bring out the Scar Face character perfectly. Scar Face looked great. All in all I would love to see a sequel

  9. I agree, Natasha. Seems like the Riddler not being manic is a common complaint. I've always thought the Ventriloquist was an under-used villain, just because his psychology is so twisted. As for Zsasz, I actually don't like him much in the comics, just because he's so boring compared to Batman's other villains - if it wasn't for his habit of carving notches in his skin for his kills, he'd just be a garden-variety serial killer. But I liked his performance.

  10. Fair enough. I won't disagree that it doesn't compete with professional movies and TV shows. I was just judging it against other Batman fan films I've seen.

  11. I have to agree about Zsasz being more "boring" Also with the Riddler I think , for me, I want him to be more playful - but not stupid like Carrey. Riddler is insanely intelligent....they say it is a thin line between genius and lunatic and this version of the Riddler didn't ride that line enough for my tastes.... but it is all personal preferences. Each one of us sit and read these comics and hear the voices in our heads....we each color those voices from our own personal experiences. That is why not everyone can be made happy.

  12. Maybe this is why I don't watch a lot of fan films.


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