Film Review - "The Batman"

The Batman

Directed by Matt Reeves

Starring Robert Pattinson, Paul Dano, Zoe Kravitz, etc.

I don't think I'm out of line when I say we've seen a lot of Batman films in our time. Much like Spider-Man, and I suppose Superman at one point (Can we please get Henry Cavill in a proper Man of Steel sequel?) The Caped Crusader is a hero audiences will always be drawn to see on the silver screen. Matt Reeves' continues the legacy with The Batman, the newest and one of the more unique, albeit not perfect Bat-Films to date.

While not a rehash of the classic origin story, The Batman takes place at a time when Bruce Wayne (Pattinson) has been operating in the shadows as the titular masked vigilante for only two years. The film follows Bruce as he tracks down a sinister serial killer known as The Riddler (Dano), who is targeting high-profile citizens across Gotham. Helping him with his investigation is Lieutenant James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) of the Gotham City Police, and cat burglar Selina Kyle (Kravitz). As Batman follows The Riddler's trail, he discovers more about his family's past, which will ultimately help shape him into the hero he's destined to become.

As I said, The Batman is not the typical origin story of the character but in many ways it still operates as an origin story. The film takes inspiration from the graphic novels The Long Halloween and Year One (Two of the very first graphic novels I ever read), showing how he operated in his early years. He's still learning the ropes on how to be Batman, and in some respects, Bruce Wayne. So the version of the character we see here is still green, and lacking experience. It's important to keep that in mind, because this Batman is not the smoothest operator. His crime-fighting is a bit more rugged, and his detective skills need a bit more finesse. That said there are some unintentionally silly moments here that sort of throw off the tone of the film. But again, Young Bruce Wayne/Batman, he's still growing. Once you come to terms with that fact, it's all a little easier to accept. 

The direction taken here is great, as it really dives into the detective side of Batman, giving us a noir-driven mystery, wrapped inside a superhero film. The mystery is compelling and keeps you guessing where it's all going. The production quality is quite possibly the best ever seen in a Batman film. It really does look like those aforementioned graphic novels come to life, perfectly capturing the bleak and gritty atmosphere, giving Gotham City its most signature appearance yet. The lighting and camera work are top-notch too. There are a lot of iconic shots throughout the film. 

Robert Pattinson shows a lot of promise as cinema's new Batman. He definitely nails the cold, calculating, brooding side of the character. He does do a lot better as Batman than as Bruce Wayne, or at least the Bruce Wayne many come to expect (Again, remember, Young Batman). There's a lot more room to grow and I'm interested to see where Pattinson and Reeves go next. Zoe Kravitz is a real standout as Selina Kyle, nailing the seductive and morally grey aspects of the classic Catwoman, and you almost wish she was in more of the film. Jeffrey Wright is great as James Gordon, and is the perfect partner-in-solving crime to Pattinson's Batman. I would even go as far to say Wright has more chemistry with Pattinson than Kravitz does!

Paul Dano is...Paul Dano as The Riddler. Look I'm not a big Paul Dano fan. He's good at what he does, and he's just playing to his creepy, off-putting, human punching-bag strengths here. Colin Farrell is literally unrecognizable as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin and steals almost every scene he's in. John Turturro is also unrecognizable (though obviously not as much as Farrell) as crime boss Carmine Falcone, giving a very subtle and menacing performance. Fans of Andy Serkis might be a bit disappointed that Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's trusted butler and confidant, takes a backseat in this film. What we do get is nice though, so let's hope we get more of him in the sequel.

I would say that The Batman's biggest problem is pacing. This film did not need to be three hours long, and there are times you really feel its length. The car chase with Batman and The Penguin seen frequently in the trailers, in the grand scheme of things ends up being more sizzle than steak. The film's climax is rather...anticlimactic, a little bit clunky...and somehow fitting? Can you tell I have conflicting feelings about this film? Composer Micheal Giacchino delivers another fire film score, and his Batman theme is legendary. Lastly I wanted to say I loved the Batsuit in this film, particularly the cowl. Something about the white of his eyes coming through the mask just look so good. Pattinson seemed to take advantage of it, because you can see so much is going on behind the eyes, and I guess Reeves could see it too because there are a lot of long close-ups on him.

So I did like The Batman but I don't think it's perfect. Not many films are. I will say it's been a week since seeing it and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I think that's a good sign when a film can do that to audiences. But its amazing visuals, compelling story, and top-notch cast making it a real standout in the library of Bat-Films. There are also reports that Matt Reeves is planning to make a trilogy so this might just be one piece of the puzzle. This could be to Batman what the Homecoming trilogy was for Spider-Man, where a series of films might operate as a larger, non-traditional origin story for this version of the character. Who knows? Time will tell, but I think a lot of people are going to be talking about The Batman in the years to come.