Would you believe that this year is the 85th anniversary of the iconic DC hero, Batman? And to mark the occasion, a new exhibition, Batman Unmasked, has arrived in Manchester where Batman returns and the Dark Knight rises once more as you relive the best bits of the films from 1989 to 2022. Read on for my review of Batman Unmasked.
Located at the former warehouse Depot Mayfield, just behind Manchester Piccadilly station – the building along with the Manchester rain I experienced on arrival, totally gave those gloomy Gotham City vibes we all know and love deep down. Paired with the exhibition inside filled with never-before-seen memorabilia, you could say they go together like Batman and Robin.
Now, just to put it out there, I wouldn’t identify as a die-hard Batman fan but I love a good action film and have watched the majority of movies from the DC franchise – The Dark Knight trilogy probably being my favourite. But that’s not to say I wasn’t impressed with this exhibition. Whether you’re a hardcore Batman fan or a bit of a dabbler in the DC universe, it’s definitely worth a visit – and children are welcome too.
What can you expect at Batman Unmasked?
Unlike other exhibitions, Batman Unmasked is pretty immersive and not just a case of browsing items on shelves and in cases from a distance. As soon as you enter Depot Mayfield your journey into the world of Batman begins, starting with a photo by the signature Batman logo then being lead into a room that looks like it’s come straight out of Wayne Manor, followed by the infamous Batcave.
But what’s inside? For Batman Unmasked, it’s more the case of what isn’t inside… The exhibition is an absolute wonderland dedicated to the caped crusader, featuring themed rooms, original props, classic costumes as well as some of cinema’s most iconic vehicles. When it comes to costumes you’ll find numerous cowls and bat suits donned by some of Hollywood’s most famous such as George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton, Robert Pattinson and Christian Bale.
However, what makes the Batman films so brilliant is their villains. There is a whole room dedicated to The Joker, that is a tad chilling and features flashing lights. Side note: there is a warning that young visitors may want to skip this room, however there is plenty in this exhibition for young fans to admire and get involved in.
Visitors are also lead through The Riddler laser maze as well as mirrors that managed to trick me into missing the way out. Adding to the experience, visitors will also find the cryo-suit of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze, that is in the UK for the first time.
My favourite parts of the exhibition
One of the coolest parts of the Batman Unmasked exhibition has to be the vehicles on show, which are exclusive to Manchester. The exhibition is blessed with not one, but two vehicles that feature in the Batman films, those being the tank-like Tumbler from The Dark Knight trilogy and the Batcycle from 2022’s The Batman.
I saw many a Batman fan swoon at these on my visit, and even as a not-so-loyal follower of the films, it’s really hard not to be mesmerised by the vehicles and want a photo next to them. What made it special was that you could stand pretty close to the Tumbler, and only a limited number of people have got to experience that, one of which being Christian Bale.
The props, the costumes, the vehicles, were all great to see up close but what added to the experience were the activities and photo opportunities. Visitors can do a spot of colouring, read comics on bean bags, play Batman-themed video games or even race Batmobiles along a Scalextric track.
Better still, not only can you pose by the Tumbler or Bat signal but also have your photo taken in a Batman comic strip scene. Plus, you can even grab your mates to re-enact a scene being pulled up on a rope hanging off the side of a building, with the exhibition team working their magic with the green screen so you’ll look like Gotham City’s newest hero.
To conclude this review, the Batman Unmasked exhibition in Manchester covers the Batman films through the ages for all ages. Whether you’ve watched every film and read every comic, are a budding Batman fan or this is your first foray into the DC universe, there’s something for everyone. What you can most definitely gain from this exhibition is an appreciation for everything that goes into the films – from the small sequins on Poison Ivy’s brooch to the mechanics behind the Tumbler.
The venue’s choice of lighting and special effects really add to the experience, to create an exhibition that combines the darkness and the delight of one of DC’s most popular superheroes. Inspired by a quote from Commissioner Gordon, Batman Unmasked is the hero Manchester deserves, and it is also the one you need to visit right now.