10 Movie References in Lego Batman Games
advertisement
VOICE OVER: Ty Richardson
WRITTEN BY: Ty Richardson
The “Lego Batman” games pay tribute to a large number of the finest films to come out of Hollywood. For this list, we'll be looking at our favorite film nods in games that feature the Lego caped crusader. Our list of movie references in "Lego Batman" games includes Dazzled in Razzies from “Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham” (2014), Twas Beauty That Rode the Beast from “Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” (2012), A Fabulous Finale from “Lego Batman: The Video Game” (2008), and more!
Script written by Ty Richardson
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at 10 Movie References in Lego Batman Games! The “Lego Batman” games pay tribute to a large number of the finest films to come out of Hollywood, and these were our absolute favorites. Which one was yours? Let us know down in the comments!
The first “Lego Batman” borrows many story elements from across Bat-media, but the second act was strikingly familiar. If you watched the 1993 film “Batman Returns”, you’ll notice many, many, MANY cues taken for “Lego Batman’s” second act. From Cobblepot using penguins to take over Gotham to teaming up with Catwoman for the final fight against Batman and Robin, it’s almost like the whole movie was adapted here. The only thing we didn’t get was a Michelle Pfeiffer costume for Catwoman.
The Lego games generally like to throw in achievements and trophies that allude to various films, television shows, games, and more. For those who appreciate the old days of classic cinema, “Lego Batman 2” has an achievement that requires you to ascend Wayne Enterprises on a gorilla as a female character. This is very clearly a reference to “King Kong” albeit with fewer planes and less screaming happening. Climb Wayne Enterprises, and you’ll pop the “Gorilla Thriller” achievement.
Arguably, the biggest crime being committed in the Lego DC universe isn’t robberies or taking over Gotham or even trying to destroy Metropolis. It’s overpriced coffee, and it’s being done by none other than The Coffee Chain. Sound familiar? Well, if it doesn’t, this is the same coffee chain (pun intended) that Emmett swings by before work in “The Lego Movie”. And no, you cannot spend thirty-seven dollars to get a latte for yourself. Feel free to do that in your real life, though.
One of the funniest aspects of the Lego games is how they turn the Joker into a literal Joker. He’s not a psychopath or a murderer - just a really obnoxious prankster who wants to make the world less serious. It’s obvious given the movie he references in this game. One of the lines he utters is simply, “Smile, darn ya, smile!” While this is a song from the 1931 “Merrie Melodies” short of the same name, most will recognize it as the song sung by the Toons towards the end of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”. Yeah, we can see Joker watching this looney movie several times.
Speaking of looney things, “Lego Batman 2” refers to a bit from one of the classic “Superman” films. Though, it isn’t one of the good ones - it’s “Superman III”. In one scene, Gus Gorman (played by legendary comedian Richard Pryor) uses a satellite to analyze a chunk of Kryptonite and break down its components. Joker and Lex try to make their own fake kryptonite using these same ingredients but leave out plutonium and whatever the unknown 0.57% is.
“Lego Batman 3” pays homage to so much old “Batman” media, mostly the movies and 1960’s television series starring Adam West. But there is another corner of Bat-cinema that was acknowledged that most would rather forget. Once you’ve finished all of the side missions given by filmmaker Kevin Smith, Catwoman steals his reel, claiming that the movie he threw together is awful before mentioning, “I know a thing or two about bad movies.” Oh, yes, we’re sure Halle Berry would agree with you.
“Catwoman” was not the only awful DC movie to get referenced in the “Lego Batman” games. Going back to the first game, the second level brings back a location seen in “Batman & Robin” - Snowy Cones Ice Cream Factory! In “Lego Batman”, this factory is used by Freeze as a hideout as he retrieves his old Freeze Cannon. As for “Batman & Robin”, well, it’s just an icy hideout for Freeze to lounge around in and think of horrible ice puns.
Sorry, this is not an “Adventure Time” reference. That would be for a list of TV references. No, there is one iconic movie that seems to get a ton of love from TT Games, and that’s “Back to the Future”. In the level “The Next President”, you’ll need to use a character with magnetic powers and interact with the clock. Doing so will set the time to 10:04, which is the same time when lightning struck in the famed flick.
Of course we had to throw in a “Terminator” reference on the list. It feels like a ton of video games can’t go one year without referencing the thumbs-up while being burned. “Lego DC Super Villains” is no exception. In the level “Apokolips, Now”, there is a minikit that requires you to interact with a Lantern pad in order to retrieve it. Whatever Lantern you end up using will conjure a hand to scoop it out before sinking into the lava, thumbs up and all.
Call it cheating ourselves or whatever, but this one is way too cool to ignore. For the final level of the Hero campaign, “Lego Batman: The Video Game” recreates the climactic fight from the 1989 “Batman” movie where Batman and Joker duke it out inside the clock tower. Only difference here is that Robin is here to help the Dark Knight bring down the Clown Prince of Crime. Oh, and the best part? That glorious and maddening orchestral song plays in the background the entire time!
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at 10 Movie References in Lego Batman Games! The “Lego Batman” games pay tribute to a large number of the finest films to come out of Hollywood, and these were our absolute favorites. Which one was yours? Let us know down in the comments!
The Whole Second Act
“Lego Batman: The Video Game” (2008)The first “Lego Batman” borrows many story elements from across Bat-media, but the second act was strikingly familiar. If you watched the 1993 film “Batman Returns”, you’ll notice many, many, MANY cues taken for “Lego Batman’s” second act. From Cobblepot using penguins to take over Gotham to teaming up with Catwoman for the final fight against Batman and Robin, it’s almost like the whole movie was adapted here. The only thing we didn’t get was a Michelle Pfeiffer costume for Catwoman.
Twas Beauty That Rode the Beast
“Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” (2012)The Lego games generally like to throw in achievements and trophies that allude to various films, television shows, games, and more. For those who appreciate the old days of classic cinema, “Lego Batman 2” has an achievement that requires you to ascend Wayne Enterprises on a gorilla as a female character. This is very clearly a reference to “King Kong” albeit with fewer planes and less screaming happening. Climb Wayne Enterprises, and you’ll pop the “Gorilla Thriller” achievement.
Overpriced Caffeine
“Lego DC Super Villains” (2018)Arguably, the biggest crime being committed in the Lego DC universe isn’t robberies or taking over Gotham or even trying to destroy Metropolis. It’s overpriced coffee, and it’s being done by none other than The Coffee Chain. Sound familiar? Well, if it doesn’t, this is the same coffee chain (pun intended) that Emmett swings by before work in “The Lego Movie”. And no, you cannot spend thirty-seven dollars to get a latte for yourself. Feel free to do that in your real life, though.
Do Ya Think Your Days of Being a Sourpuss Are Over?
“Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham” (2014)One of the funniest aspects of the Lego games is how they turn the Joker into a literal Joker. He’s not a psychopath or a murderer - just a really obnoxious prankster who wants to make the world less serious. It’s obvious given the movie he references in this game. One of the lines he utters is simply, “Smile, darn ya, smile!” While this is a song from the 1931 “Merrie Melodies” short of the same name, most will recognize it as the song sung by the Toons towards the end of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”. Yeah, we can see Joker watching this looney movie several times.
A Recipe for Disaster
“Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” (2012)Speaking of looney things, “Lego Batman 2” refers to a bit from one of the classic “Superman” films. Though, it isn’t one of the good ones - it’s “Superman III”. In one scene, Gus Gorman (played by legendary comedian Richard Pryor) uses a satellite to analyze a chunk of Kryptonite and break down its components. Joker and Lex try to make their own fake kryptonite using these same ingredients but leave out plutonium and whatever the unknown 0.57% is.
Dazzled in Razzies
“Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham” (2014)“Lego Batman 3” pays homage to so much old “Batman” media, mostly the movies and 1960’s television series starring Adam West. But there is another corner of Bat-cinema that was acknowledged that most would rather forget. Once you’ve finished all of the side missions given by filmmaker Kevin Smith, Catwoman steals his reel, claiming that the movie he threw together is awful before mentioning, “I know a thing or two about bad movies.” Oh, yes, we’re sure Halle Berry would agree with you.
Alright, Everyone, Chill!
“Lego Batman: The Video Game” (2008)“Catwoman” was not the only awful DC movie to get referenced in the “Lego Batman” games. Going back to the first game, the second level brings back a location seen in “Batman & Robin” - Snowy Cones Ice Cream Factory! In “Lego Batman”, this factory is used by Freeze as a hideout as he retrieves his old Freeze Cannon. As for “Batman & Robin”, well, it’s just an icy hideout for Freeze to lounge around in and think of horrible ice puns.
What Time Is It?
“Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” (2012)Sorry, this is not an “Adventure Time” reference. That would be for a list of TV references. No, there is one iconic movie that seems to get a ton of love from TT Games, and that’s “Back to the Future”. In the level “The Next President”, you’ll need to use a character with magnetic powers and interact with the clock. Doing so will set the time to 10:04, which is the same time when lightning struck in the famed flick.
Your Power Will Be Back
“Lego DC Super Villains” (2018)Of course we had to throw in a “Terminator” reference on the list. It feels like a ton of video games can’t go one year without referencing the thumbs-up while being burned. “Lego DC Super Villains” is no exception. In the level “Apokolips, Now”, there is a minikit that requires you to interact with a Lantern pad in order to retrieve it. Whatever Lantern you end up using will conjure a hand to scoop it out before sinking into the lava, thumbs up and all.
A Fabulous Finale
“Lego Batman: The Video Game” (2008)Call it cheating ourselves or whatever, but this one is way too cool to ignore. For the final level of the Hero campaign, “Lego Batman: The Video Game” recreates the climactic fight from the 1989 “Batman” movie where Batman and Joker duke it out inside the clock tower. Only difference here is that Robin is here to help the Dark Knight bring down the Clown Prince of Crime. Oh, and the best part? That glorious and maddening orchestral song plays in the background the entire time!
