Clayface: Movie Review

James Gunn’s DC Universe has definitely been growing in unexpected ways. The animated series Creature Commandos being part of it was unexpected (and also technically the first appearance of Batman, and many other DC heroes, in this version of the universe). Now the universe expands with the unexpected addition of Clayface. This is definitely not a standard superhero or even supervillain type movie, and I will say that it is very difficult to get me to flinch at this point and a few of the scenes even grossed me out a little.

“Clayface” has been the name of several characters in DC Comics, and this version seems to combine the first and second. Matt Hagen is an actor who is becoming a superstar, and seems to be a really nice guy in spite of that. Things are going great for him until what is probably one of the best nights of his life is followed by a truly horrible morning. To say he’s wronged on every front is putting it mildly. Hagen loses pretty much everything, and in utter desperation, turns to a scientist, Caitlyn Corr.

They avoid a lot of easy stereotypes and shortcuts in the story. Corr isn’t eager for a test subject and some evil, cackling mad scientist. She cautions Hagen against trying the experimental procedure, and is won over by his combination of charm and desperation. For a brief period of time, things seem to go wonderfully well. Then, of course, things go wrong. While Matt’s movie career seems to be in Coast City (DC’s home of Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, in sunny California), most of the movie is set in Gotham. I give them points for doing a movie based there with no Waynes, Bats, or Gordons.

I’ve seen the movie billed as horror, and there are certainly some grotesque scenes. But I think I’d say it’s more of a revenge piece. A particularly brutal revenge piece, but more that than horror. It’s more Count of Monte Cristo than Phantom of the Opera. There are also some tragic elements. Tom Rhys Harries does a great job of making you like Matt Hagen, and making him seem like he’s a really good guy in spite of being a star. His fall into utter villainy is sad to watch, and whether he’s falling prey to his own hidden dark side or whether the procedure and its aftereffects change him is open for debate.

What I Liked: The movie overall was a lot better than I expected. Tom Rhys Harris was brilliant as Matt Hagen/Clayface, and Naomi Ackie was convincing as the conflicted scientist Dr. Caitlin Corr. The writers have said the movie derived some inspiration from episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, and anything that gives a nod to that great series makes me happy. There were places they certainly could have put in more refences to the DC Universe, and as much as I enjoy crossovers and Easter eggs, I like they had this stand largely on its own.

What I Didn’t: Some of the scenes felt like they were being ugly and grotesque just because they could. It was brutality for brutality’s sake. I’m not sure how much those scenes added to the story as a whole. There were a few mistakes about police procedure and evidence (unless you catch it on video, you can’t determine to the minute when someone dies).

I enjoyed this, and I will give it a high 4 out of 5.

DC Universe ties: I mentioned both Coast and Gotham Cities. Hagen at one point flies on Ferris Air, a company owned by Carol Ferris, Star Sapphire/long term love interest of Hal Jordan. Jitters Coffee shows up, which was in the recent Superman movie, and also a recurring part of the late, lamented Arrowverse. There was an ad for Soder Cola, which pops up in the comics a lot. The police precinct we see is 298; Matt Hagen first appeared in Detective Comics 298. Pinkey Towers and the Narrows are both mentioned, which are Gotham locales in the comics (and some previous tv shows). Amusement Mile is referenced, which has played a part in several Batman comics, and the Nightwing title. Club Vesuvius is one of the locations, which is a venue Zatanna has performed at in the comics.