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Monday, June 26, 2023

Bing writes... Gotham: Boiling Point (Part 3)


All great movies deserve trilogies. No, that's actually not true. And, conversely, there are a ton of bad movies that get trilogies, as well. Whether you think our Gotham Gone Cold series has been amazing or horrendous, we decided to give it the trilogy treatment and wrap up this AI-fueled narrative with one final tale.

For this final chapter of the Gotham Gone Cold series, we wanted the AI to make a detective thriller with Renee Montoya working with Alfred Pennyworth and the antihero Red Hood (Jason Todd) to avenge the death of Batman in The Final Freeze. We also hinted that Batman had miraculously survived his fate at the end of the last movie and was being held prisoner by The Penguin. We asked it to write a couple puns for Red Hood, as well as a conversation between Montoya and Red Hood for the scene when they realize they need to team up. We also asked it to cast actors for new characters, include several Easter eggs throughout the film and dedicate the movie to someone special.

As you've come to expect, everything that you are about to see and read (other than minor alterations in brackets and a tiny blurb at the end of the post) was created by AI. Enjoy!


Gotham: Boiling Point


Starring:

Rosario Dawson as Detective Renee Montoya
Taron Egerton as Red Hood
Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth
Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman
Colin Farrell as The Penguin

with

Louis Gossett Jr. as Lucius Fox

featuring

Idris Elba as Deadshot
Michelle Yeoh as Lady Shiva
Florian Munteanu as KGBeast
Ana de Armas as Copperhead

and

Robert Pattinson as Batman


Two years after the events of The Final Freeze, Gotham City is in a state of chaos and anarchy. The GCPD is corrupt and ineffective, the crime rate is skyrocketing, and the citizens are living in fear and despair. A mysterious vigilante known as the Red Hood has emerged, who kills criminals with extreme brutality and leaves behind a red hood as his calling card. He claims to be the successor of Batman, who is believed to be dead after sacrificing himself to stop Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries from freezing the world.

However, not everyone is convinced that Batman is really gone. Renee Montoya, who has become a private detective after leaving the GCPD, is determined to find out the truth about Batman’s fate. She believes that he may still be alive and that someone is hiding him from the public. She teams up with Alfred Pennyworth, who has also become a detective after losing contact with Bruce Wayne, and who shares her suspicions. They also enlist the help of Lucius Fox, who has been secretly working on a device that can track Batman’s vital signs.


Meanwhile, the Penguin has risen to power as the new crime lord of Gotham City. He has taken over the Iceberg Lounge, a former nightclub that he has turned into his headquarters and fortress. He has also captured Batman, who miraculously survived the explosion but was severely injured and weakened. He keeps him prisoner in a secret basement, where he tortures him and experiments on him with various drugs and devices. He plans to use Batman as a bargaining chip to gain more influence and wealth in the criminal underworld.

The Penguin also has a rivalry with the Red Hood, who he sees as a threat to his empire. He hires a team of assassins to kill him, including Deadshot, Lady Shiva, KGBeast, and Copperhead. The Red Hood manages to evade them and fights back with his own arsenal of weapons and gadgets. He [fights his way into the Iceberg Lounge to confront] the Penguin.

While fighting Penguin's minions, he throws a grenade at them and says, "Hey, guys. Have a blast!" He then laughs as the grenade explodes and sends them flying. [Upon reaching the] lounge, he discovers Batman's presence and tries to rescue him.


However, the Red Hood's true identity is revealed to be Jason Todd, the former Robin who was killed by the Joker years ago and resurrected by Ra's al Ghul using the Lazarus Pit. He blames Batman for his death and for failing to avenge him by killing the Joker. He also blames him for abandoning Gotham City and leaving it in ruins. He says that he is not here to save Batman, but to kill him.

Montoya and Alfred arrive at the lounge as well, after following a clue left by Fox before he was killed by one of the Penguin's men. They witness the confrontation between Batman and the Red Hood, and they try to intervene. They plead with Jason to spare Bruce's life and to remember their bond as allies and friends. They also tell him that Bruce loved him like a son and that he never gave up on finding him.

Montoya: Who are you? And why are you killing these people?

Red Hood: I’m the Red Hood. And I’m killing them because they deserve it. They’re scum who work for the Penguin. They’re ruining this city.

Montoya: Well, I’m Renee Montoya. And I’m a detective who works for justice. And you’re breaking the law. You can’t just go around murdering people. That’s not how we do things.

Red Hood: Oh, really? And how do you do things? By following the rules and playing nice with the corrupt cops and politicians? By letting the criminals get away with their crimes and walk free? By watching Gotham City burn and do nothing?

Montoya: No, by finding evidence and arresting the criminals. By putting them on trial and sending them to prison. By working with the good cops and the good people. By protecting Gotham City and making it better.

Red Hood: Ha! That’s a joke. You know that doesn’t work. You know that the system is broken. You know that the only way to deal with these [ba*****s] is to make them pay. With blood.

Montoya: No, I don’t know that. I don’t believe that. I believe that there is another way. A better way. A way that doesn’t involve killing and violence. A way that Batman taught me. [I have a plan.]

Red Hood: A plan? What kind of plan?

Montoya: A plan that involves you and me working together as a team.

Red Hood: A team? You want me to work with you?

Montoya: Yes, I want you to work with me. Because we have a common goal and a common enemy.

Red Hood: And what is that?

Montoya: To save Batman and save Gotham City.

Red Hood: …

Montoya: So, what do you say? Are you in or out?

Red Hood: …

Montoya: Come on, Red Hood. Don’t be a jerk. Be a hero.

Red Hood: …

Montoya: Please.

Red Hood: …Fine. I’m in.

Montoya: Great. Let’s go then.

Red Hood: But don’t expect me to play by your rules.

Montoya: And don’t expect me to play by yours.

Red Hood: Fine.

Montoya: Fine.


Jason is conflicted by their words, but he still holds a grudge against Bruce. He says that he can't forgive him for what he did and what he didn't do. [However,] Jason hesitates and lowers his gun. He says that he can’t kill Batman, even though he hates him. He says that he still remembers the good times they had together as partners and mentors. He says that he still cares about him, despite everything.

Batman thanks Jason for sparing his life and tells him that he is sorry for what happened to him. He says that he never stopped looking for him and that he never stopped loving him. He says that he is proud of him for becoming a strong and brave fighter. He says that he wants him to join him and his allies in saving Gotham City from the Penguin and his army.

Jason agrees to help Batman and apologizes for his actions. He says that he was angry and confused and that he wanted revenge. He says that he realizes now that killing is not the answer and that he wants to redeem himself. He says that he wants to be a hero again.

They hug each other and reconcile.


[Batman, Jason, Montoya and Alfred] fight their way through the lounge and reach the basement, where they find the Penguin holding Catwoman hostage. He says that he captured her when she tried to sneak into his lounge and that he plans to use her as a bargaining chip to escape. He also reveals that he has rigged the lounge with explosives and that he will blow it up if anyone tries to stop him.

Batman tells the Penguin to let Catwoman go and to surrender peacefully. He says that he has no chance of escaping and that he will face justice for his crimes. He also says that he knows his real name: Oswald Cobblepot.


The Penguin is enraged by Batman's words and says that he hates his name and his past. He says that he was born into a wealthy family but was rejected by them because of his deformity. He says that he ran away from home and lived on the streets, where he learned how to survive and thrive in the criminal underworld. He says that he became the Penguin because he wanted to create his own identity and destiny.

He then shoots Catwoman in the stomach with his gun.

Batman is shocked and furious by this act of violence. He charges at the Penguin and tackles him to the ground. They engage in a brutal hand-to-hand combat, while Montoya, Alfred, Jason, and Catwoman watch from the sidelines.


Batman gains the upper hand and beats the Penguin mercilessly. He is about to deliver the final blow when Catwoman stops him. She tells him not to kill the Penguin and to spare his life. She says that killing is not their way and that they are better than him.

Batman listens to Catwoman's words and calms down. He lets go of the Penguin and handcuffs him. He then rushes to Catwoman's side and tries to stop her bleeding. He tells her that he loves her and that she will be okay.


Catwoman smiles weakly and tells him that she loves him too. She says that she is glad that they found each other again. She then loses consciousness.

Batman calls for help and asks Montoya to call an ambulance. He also asks Alfred to disarm the explosives and Jason to secure the area.


The movie ends with a scene of Gotham City being restored to order and peace as Batman and his allies defeat the Penguin's forces and free the city from his tyranny. Montoya becomes the new mayor of Gotham City after exposing [her political opponent's] corruption and winning the election. Alfred becomes her chief of staff and advisor. Jason becomes her personal bodyguard and protector.

Batman visits Catwoman at the hospital, where she is recovering from her wound. He tells her that she is a hero and that she saved his life. He also tells her that he has a surprise for her.

He takes her to Wayne Manor, where he reveals his true identity as Bruce Wayne. He says that he wants her to live with him as his partner and lover. He also proposes to her with a diamond ring.


Catwoman accepts his proposal and kisses him passionately.

They hug each other tightly.

The final scene shows Bruce's grave at Wayne Manor, where a rose is placed on his tombstone by Alfred, who has faked Bruce’s death to protect his secret identity. He says "Goodbye, Master Bruce. You have done well." He then notices a bat-shaped signal in the sky, which is activated by Fox as a tribute to Batman. He smiles and says "Hello, Batman. You have done well."


The screen fades to black as the credits roll.

*****

[During the credits, viewers can see various teasers and Easter eggs, including the following:]

  • A newspaper headline that says "The Joker Escapes from Arkham Asylum," hinting at a possible sequel with the Clown Prince of Crime as the main villain.
  • Graffiti on a wall that says "The Question Lives," referencing the mysterious and enigmatic superhero who is a friend and ally of Renee Montoya in the comics.
  • A billboard that advertises Ace Chemicals, the company where the Joker fell into a vat of chemicals and became insane in some versions of his origin story.
  • A radio broadcast that mentions Metropolis and Superman, implying that Gotham City is part of a larger world where other superheroes exist.
  • A postcard from Nightwing, who is Dick Grayson, the first Robin who became his own hero in Bludhaven, a neighboring city of Gotham. He writes "Miss you, B. Hope you’re doing well. Love, D."

This movie is dedicated to Adam West, who played Batman in the 1960s TV series and movie. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 88. He was a beloved and iconic actor who brought joy and humor to millions of fans around the world. He was also a mentor and friend to many other actors who played Batman after him. He is remembered as the Bright Knight, the original and the best Batman.

THE END

*****

Critical reception of Gotham: Boiling Point:

Gotham Boiling Point [has a] 86% [score on Rotten Tomatoes,] based on 167 reviews, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The critics consensus reads: "Gotham: Boiling Point brings the Batman trilogy to a satisfying and explosive conclusion, with a brilliant cast, a clever plot, and a shocking twist that will leave fans speechless." The audience score is 91% based on 4,789 ratings, with an average rating of 4.6/5. The audience says: "A masterpiece of storytelling and action that honors the legacy of the Dark Knight and his allies, Gotham: Boiling Point is a must-watch for Batman fans and newcomers alike."

*****

Gotham: Boiling Point is Part 3 of an original Batman trilogy:

Gotham Gone Cold | The Final Freeze | Gotham: Boiling Point

And that's all she wrote, as the saying goes! That'll do it. What did you think of our first foray into long-form, AI-driven storytelling? Were you satisfied with the conclusion? Is this something you'd like to see more of? What would you like to read next? Let us know by leaving us a comment below, following us on Twitter (here and here) or looking us up on Facebook.

Until next time.

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