Character Analysis: Max Shreck
By: Brian Cotnoir
Hello Friends, Long
time no post. Life’s been very busy for
my lately as I continue to work towards my Masters, AND I started a new job,
that I am very happy with, so I’ve had very little time to watch movies, let
alone write new reviews. Well, I’m here
to talk to you today about one of my favorite film franchises of all-time; The “Batman” Films. I’ve always been a fan of Batman, ever since
I was a little boy. I grew up watching
Kevin Conroy voice Batman on “Batman the Animated Series”, I watched the Joel
Schumacher Batman films, when I was a little, and I even watched a little bit
of the Original Batman TV series, starring the late and great Adam West. I did not see the original Tim Burton, Batman
movies. I’ve wanted to do a Character
Analysis on a Batman Character for so long, but I kept running into the same
issues every time. Most of the Characters
in the Batman films are directly inspired from the DC Comics, which would
require some extensive research so I could discuss the differences between the
characters in the Comics and the same characters in the films. Not to mention that as of this date there
have been 8 different Feature Length films featuring Batman, not to mention
countless Direct to Video/DVD Animated Films, and would require a ton more
research and would take me too long to complete. But at last I finally came across a character
from a Batman film—My Favorite Batman film actually—that is worthy of a
Character Analysis; a character who never appeared in any prior Batman comics
and was specifically created for a one time film role only. So without further delay please enjoy my Character
Analysis of Max Shreck from “Batman
Returns”.
CHARACTER: Max
Shreck from “Batman Returns” (1992)
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| Christopher Walken plays Max Shreck in "Batman Returns" |
Max Shreck is the millionaire owner of Shreck’s Department Store
in Gotham City. Shreck’s displays acts
of generosity around the Holiday Season, donating loads of toys and money to
those in need all over Gotham City. Many
people refer to him as the Santa Claus of Gotham City. However beneath his generous exterior lies a
manipulative and malevolent man. He has
plans to expand his business empire by constructing a large Power Plant in
Gotham City, with a little financial and political backing from the Mayor of
Gotham City and the wealthiest man in the city, Bruce Wayne. However, Shreck has some sinister motives for
his power plant. His plant isn’t going
to supply power to the residents of Gotham City, but rather suck and store
power, leaving the residents of Gotham City powerless (pun intended). However, Shreck’s incompetent secretary
Selena Kyle, accidentally uncovers Shreck’s evil plan, for which he tries to
kill her by tossing her out a window near the top floor of his building, for having
figured out his nefarious plan. Shreck
ends up being kidnapped and blackmailed by an evil underground villain known as
The Penguin, who threatens to expose Shreck’s sinister deeds—including murder,
fraud, and pollution—if he doesn’t help him with his own evil plans. Shreck agrees to help The Penguin (whose real
name is Oswald Cobblepot). Using his money
and power Shreck helps the Penguin stage a fake kidnapping where the Penguin
will heroically rescue the Mayor of Gotham City’s infant child. Once The Penguin has found favor and
popularity amongst the residents of Gotham City, Shreck plans to use his money
and power to get The Penguin elected Mayor of Gotham, so that he can get the
approval he needs to build his power plant.
THE ACTOR:
Max Shreck is played by Hollywood Legend and Academy Award
Winner, Christopher Walken. “Batman
Returns” was the first time Walken ever collaborated with writer/director Tim
Burton. Walken and Burton would work
again together on the film “Sleepy Hollow” (1999), where Walken played The
Hessian Soldier/Headless Horseman.
CHARACTER
IS SIMILAR TO OR INSPIRED BY:
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| Actor Maximillian Schreck as Count Orlock in "Noseferatu" |
Unlike many other characters that have appeared in the Batman
films, Max Shreck had not appeared in any prior Batman Comics. He was created specifically for the film to
fill the villain void left by actor Billy Dee Williams after he opted to not
reprise his role as Harvey Dent in “Batman Returns” (…at least according to
Wikipedia). Shreck’s name is nod to the
German Actor Maximillian Schreck who played the fiendish Count Orlock in the
1922 Classic German Horror film, “Nosferatu”. Other than a name Max Shreck shares no
similarities to the actor of the same name. I
honestly think Shreck shares some similarities and was possibly influenced by
Donald Trump (before he became President of course). When you look at the
similar hair styles, their ruthless business savvy minds, their use of Power
and Money to achieve their own personal gains, while seemingly trying to pass
themselves off as Regular Joes with
caring, generous hearts, I definitely think Christopher Walken was trying to
channel some Donald Trump into his acting performance.
I see it, Don't you?!
FATE OF THE
CHARACTER:
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| The End of Max Shreck |
