The Batman Review
In this film, Batman’s voice-over introduces us to Gotham City in the worst condition it's ever been. In classic noir fashion, his words mark a vigilante early in his career, lamenting that perhaps his heroic efforts are all for naught. Gangs, drugs, and corruption are at all-time-highs in the streets despite local crime initiatives and the bat signal. The murder of the mayor kicks off a new level of terror. The crime scene contains a letter to Batman, and he must walk through a maze of riddles and self-reckoning to come out on the other side sane and alive.
Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader is visually the coolest version yet. The tall ears on the stitched leather cowl emulates Michael Keaton’s original mask, the bullet-proof plated body is a mix of Nolan/Snyder Bats, and the combat boots point to modern comic book takes. Top that with a sexy jawline and you have a Batman that, more appropriately than ever, has the GCPD muttering “freak” whenever he’s around.
"I'm Vengeance" - Batman (Robert Pattinson)
If you’re looking for the iconic, “I’m Batman” line, you won’t find it in this movie. He’s angry, pessimistic, and lets his fists do the speaking unless his words are required to get what he wants. He never jokes or even cracks a smile. This crime-fighter refers to himself as “Vengeance”, and therein lies the main thread of this tale– The transformation of revenge incarnate into a new Batman.
Bruce Wayne is just as brooding. He makes no effort to play the part of Gotham’s prodigal son and instead lives his public life as a recluse. This Bruce slouches, wears loose dark shirts, has bangs in front of his smoldering eyes, and listens to depressing Nirvana tracks while he works in the Batcave. It makes for a nice contrast to the hulking towering Batman the few times he reluctantly presents himself as a Wayne. Still, his double personas are one and the same.
THE CAST
The supporting characters and main antagonist, however, are a mixed bag.
Lieutenant James Gordon is the only other character besides Alfred that we can trust to be on the Bat’s side. The commissioner and other police look down on him for involving Batman in the investigations. Jeffrey Wright delivers a solid interpretation of a pragmatic cop caught between a rock and hard place.
Andy Serkis’ Alfred is likable, but hardly present. The iconic butler is relegated to moving the film along in the few important scenes that cut to the emotional core of Bruce
.
Catwoman is a morally ambiguous sexpot teetering on the criminal, as always. Zoe Kravitz plays Selina Kyle with admirable mystery and alluring physicality. The cat burglar's backstory is new and plays well into the themes revealed during Batman’s introspective search of his own legacy.
Colin Farrell takes the cake for best baddie as he disappears in a well-designed Penguin with some nuance. His mischievous smile shines with gold teeth when confronted with Batman and his scenes are some of the most fun moments in the movie.
John Turturro plays Gotham crime lord Carmine Falcone just as you’d imagine him. Not much else I can say about that. He’s John Turturro playing a bad guy.
Disappointingly, Paul Dano’s Riddler is the weakest link in this film. As I’m sure every review will point out, he strives to channel the infamous Heath Ledger Joker and results in cringe. He’s a psychotic murderer wearing an industrial gimp suit, aided by a “toxic” social media following. At least the riddles themselves are a fun plot device, furthering the mystery.
An unwritten screenwriting law states that the hero is only as good as the villain. We get an expected city-level threat and a final action set piece that does barely enough to bring it all home.
Yet, The Batman shines despite the cheese because malicious forces reveal themselves to be deeper than a lone criminal mastermind. Also, Batman looks cool doing it the whole way through.
More importantly, every supporting role, including Riddler, reflect different aspects of Batman’s character and highlight the choices he must make. In this aspect, the writing was spot on.
ISSUES
The first half of the movie is awesome with its tone, well-shot action, and interesting plot threads. Unfortunately, the latter part of the movie doesn’t quite deliver on the promises of the former because Reeve’s doesn't fully commit to the noir genre.
Bruce's journey was perfectly set up in the first half for a jarring reveal like in Chinatown, and while he does learn something that shakes him, the effects of that are extinguished several scenes afterward. We learn something similar about Catwoman as well. While the parallels are interesting, the revelations we’re led up to could have made a significant and lasting impact on the franchise but instead means close to nothing.
The climax is an action set piece that feels like an afterthought. There’s nothing new to be seen there and it sticks out in a movie that was mostly about uncovering a mystery. Batman’s inner transformation is explained through voice-over, but it still leaves something to be desired.
Something that must be said is the film is too long at nearly 3 hours. That time could have been filled with more ambitious story points, but as it stands, a good 15-20 min could have easily been cut.
SUMMARY
Despite its faults, there’s still plenty to like about The Batman. Namely the style, music, and focus on Batman himself.
The power of Pattinson’s costumed screen presence, especially when paired with the catchy rising score, cannot be overstated. About 95% of the scenes contain Batman and there’s plenty of action and score to go around. This is the stuff that comic culture nerds cream their pants over.
Much of the movie uses the formula of reestablishing Batman characters and staples with curated nostalgia successfully. For example, 2022s Batmobile is an old-school Dodge Charger with roaring blue jets that rev to thrill the audience before a practical effects-laden chase sequence. It's a lot of fun to see it all in action.
Gotham City is a character like it never has been before. It doesn’t look fake or like a reskinned Chicago. It looks like a real city you wouldn’t want to live in. Especially since the movie takes place almost always at night time. There are no bright spots here. Think of the 90s Batman: The Animated Series, but in real life.
When is a corrupted city a lost cause? What if that corruption went further than anyone thought possible? What if even the best people became corrupted?
Great questions that are set up but not satisfyingly answered.
Overall, The Batman proves itself as a worthy addition to the pantheon of Batman movies. Matt Reeve's take provides some of the best visual and action presentations in the franchise, even though it ends on some notes that hardcore fans will find controversial regarding the beloved legacy of the Dark Knight.
Rating: C+
-Alex
