The LEGO Movie 2 Devotes An Entire Song to Batman's Superiority Complex

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for The LEGO Movie: The Second Part, in theaters now.

Batman doesn't have too many weaknesses. After 80 years, the iconic superhero has overcome pretty much every attempt to break him. He's survived explosions and having his back broken, and even returned after being blasted outside of the time stream. That's part of what makes "Gotham Guys," one of the songs from The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, so funny.

When Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi (Tiffany Hadish) declares that she knows the Dark Knight's real weakness, it turns out she's not bluffing. His biggest fault is a superiority complex. By making Batman (Will Arnett) jealous, and comparing him unfavorably to Superman, Queen Watevra wraps the hero around her finger with little difficulty. She weaponizes his need to be the best at everything, and it's fantastic.

Gotham Guys

The song comes after many of the heroes from The LEGO Movie have been captured and brought to the Systar System. Although Benny (Charlie Day), Unikitty (Alison Brie) and Metalbeard (Nick Offerman) are all quickly taken in by the promises made by Queen Watevra, Batman and Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) are more hesitant. While General Mayhem (Stephanie Beatriz) takes Lucy to be reconditioned, by pop music, Watevra invites Batman to a candlelight dinner. There, she reveals she wants to marry someone from Apocalypseburg (the Mad Max-inspired new home to the former citizens of Bricksburg) to unite their kingdoms, and bring peace to the universe.

Batman initially resists her plan, but his tune changes when Watevra reveals she's OK with not marrying him specifically. Almost immediately jealous of someone being "better" than him, the Caped Crusader asks her who could possibly be a better husband. Watevra breaks into a song about how what she wants is a real superhero -- someone with strength, charm and actual superpowers. She spends most of the number complaining about Gotham guys, and how they compare unfavorably to someone like Superman.

She doesn't even have to say "Superman" to get Batman on edge. Bringing up his abs, and his charms, Batman attempts to make himself sound better to Watevra, until he actually proposes to the queen, which was her intention all along.

Being The Best Is His Kryptonite

Many recent portrayals of Batman have played up his rivalry with the Man of Steel. From the dour Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to sillier fare like Robot Chicken and the LEGO movies, the Caped Crusader has become defined, in part, by how much more he thinks of himself than Superman. The LEGO version of Batman is especially focused on their rivalry, as he tries to one-up his fellow hero.

That one-sided competition even surfaces during the wedding, when Batman attempts to rub the marriage in Superman's face. However, the Man of Steel is simply excited to see his friends happy, and wishes them well. Batman, of course, convinces himself that Superman is in denial, and pretends he's finally gained an edge in their rivalry.

That's what makes the song so perfect. It plays on the notion that Batman thinks of himself as the best, and most reliable, person in the world, something that bears out in most (if not all) incarnations of the character. It also leans on how often Superman seems unconcerned with this supposed competition. It's even been utilized by villains, such as when Lex Luthor turned the Dark Knight against the Man of Steel in Batman v Superman. Watevra uses that same tactic to get the supposedly unbeatable Batman to not only give up his plan, but fully take her side. Queen Watevra has figured out the ultimate weakness of the Dark Knight, and it's to play on his ego. Next time Ra's Al Ghul decides to try to take over the world, he should lead with a musical number.

Directed by Mike Mitchell and Trisha Gum, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part reunites Chris Pratt as Emmet, Elizabeth Banks as Lucy, Will Arnett as Batman, Nick Offerman as Metal Beard and Alison Brie as Unikitty. They're joined by Tiffany Haddish as Queen Watevra Wa-Nab, Stephanie Beatriz as Sweet Mayhem and Arturo Castro as Ice Cream Cone.