Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) is becoming the most sought-after talent in Tinsel Town. With his meteoric rise from the streets of Gotham to the Hollywood Hills. That is, until his interaction with the wrong people. His rise to fame is cut (literally) short. And the aftermath of which, has his name dragged through the mud.
My introduction to Matt Hagen/Clayface comes from a two-part episode of Batman: The Animated Series, called “Feat of Clay”. Because I was a Marvel kid, I thought the character was created for the tv series. As it turns out, Clayface had been part of Batman’s rogues’ gallery since the 40s, starting with Basil Karlo. Matt Hagen was the second iteration.
Knowing he’s a Batman villain and this was a DC Studios movie, I was surprised there was no mention of Batman. Not even a Wayne-anything looming over Gotham’s skyline (correct me if I’m wrong). This was truly a stand alone feature. In fact, someone had to explain to me, this was under DC Studios proper. Though it felt like it could easily fit into the Patt-Man’s (Pattinson’s Batman) or The Penguin’s universe. The needle didn’t point to either direction.
I compare Clayface with Dolph Lundgren’s Punisher. Sure there was no symbol saying, “Hey! It’s the Punisher!”, just as long as they gave me a tragedy with his family, named him Frank Castle, and let him punish criminals, I was happy (it took me a while to get there, but I got there). Same thing with Clayface. They mention Gotham, their corrupt police force, and the Narrows…? I’m a happy camper. I can picture it fitting somewhere in either of the timelines.
As for the movie itself? I was entertained by it. It felt to me like a 90’s throwback (see? Now the Punisher comparison makes sense, huh?). It was more atmospheric than hit you over the head with familiar imagery. Remember Michael Jackson’s Black or White video (1991. Again, throwback…?)
and how the new computer technology helped morph images together “seamlessly”? Director James Watkins wanted a piece of that pie. When Matt gets the hang of his abilities, the morphing seemed oddly familiar. Especially THAT scene IYKYK.
More familiarity was Clayface’s similarities to Darkman. Call it influence, maybe homage? Hear me out. You have leads who have the ability to disguise themselves. Their female counterpart is a love interest. A guy with mob ties is one who created the problems our protagonists have, also is the one who our “hero” enacts his revenge on. I’m not saying Clayface was a rip-off, what I’m saying is…slight spoiler…
3…
2…
1…
If at the end of the movie, Bruce Campbell turned around, I wouldn’t bat (no pun intended) an eye. Hell, they could’ve used this exact footage and it would’ve worked.
The future of this character is in question. Where does he fit in the grand scheme of things? Can you connect him to whoever wears the cowl? Will he be able to slide into Patt-Man’s neighborhood? Is this a one-shot much like the comic book series “One Bad Day”, where Batman’s villains get a showcase of one bad moment that made them who they are? I don’t know. At this point it’s all fan-fiction and conjecture. I’m not writing off the team of Gunn/Safran yet. At least they’re doing something interesting with DC’s properties. I can’t say that with its previous regime.
