The Batman
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Jeffery Wright, Collin Farrell
Directed By: Matt Reeves
Rated: PG-13
Another Batman? Yes, after Ben Affleck’s short-lived tenure as the caped crusader, another Batman is here. This time around, Robert Pattinson is donning the cape for perhaps the most brooding Batman yet. What’s the story with this Bruce Wayne? And is this adaptation any good?
Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) broods around the streets of Gotham city introspectively analyzing the rampant crime and corruption that surrounds him. (That should be his middle name actually, Bruce Brooding Wayne.) At night, he dons a mask and takes to the street as Batman, a vigilante seeking vengeance. He works closely with police commissioner Gordon (Jeffery Wright) to stop the rampant crime in Gotham. When a string of murders break out among the police force, Batman and Commissioner Gordon work to try to decipher clues left by a masked menace called the Riddler. What’s uncovered will go on to haunt Bruce and change everything he thought he knew about his life.
Truthfully, I don’t have the best track record with DC films. Justice League, Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman ‘84, and Aquaman have all let me down. I never know what to expect going into a DC film because I’ve been disappointed so many times. But The Batman is great. It feels less like a comic book film than it does a detective noir film. A mystery unfolds throughout the course of the film that keeps you guessing as each act continues. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next.
The sprawling Gotham City introduces us to a number of characters that serve the plot in some way. By the film’s end, everyone is connected to this mystery in an intricate web.
Director and screenwriter Matt Reeves excels at telling dark, brooding tales that capture your attention. His recent Planet of the Apes are some of my favorite sci-fi films because they managed to somehow take an unbelievably wild plot and make it engaging and feel realistic. He does something similar here. Batman is a crazy character…a masked vigilante flying around in a bat costume? That could easily be corny. Yet, Reeves grounds the story by making it seem like a procedural detective drama. There are shades of David Fincher’s filmography present in the plot with nods to Seven and Zodiac throughout, particularly when the Riddler is involved. Reeves excels at characterization as well, delving into Bruce’s personality. Even though he’s a man of very few words, we see his internal conflict as he’s haunted by his past demons and trying to make sense of the present.
There’s a theme of childhood trauma that ties Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle and The Riddler’s storylines together. It’s a fascinating dynamic to see how each character has been impacted by their tragedies and how the scars of youth shape their choices, both good and evil.
Although many were shocked by his casting, Robert Pattinson makes a great Batman. He exudes the dark and reclusive side of Bruce Wayne. He’s a shell of a person haunted by his past and the death of his parents. He wanders the city reflecting on what could be done to make a difference and if his efforts even matter at all. He’s not very social as his closest friend and confidant is Alfred (Andy Serkis.) Pattinson is definitely the most emo Batman we’ve ever seen on screen donning smudged black eyeliner. If I could describe him I’d say he went through a Hot Topic phase and listens to punk bands when he’s sad.
The Batman boasts an impressive cast. Zoe Kravitz gives a standout performance as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, a waitress working at the Iceberg Lounge. Her ties and insight can help Bruce with the Riddler case. The two have a great on-screen dynamic.
Collin Farrel is completely unrecognizable as The Penguin, owner of the Iceberg Lounge and mobster involved in some shady dealings. I’m still shocked it was him under all that makeup.
It’s Paul Dano who really scene steals as The Riddler. Dano can transform into almost any role from Love and Mercy to There Will Be Blood to Little Miss Sunshine. Here he is the Riddler, a demented masked presence spouting clues from the dark corners of the Internet. He is obsessed with exposing corruption in the city. His obsession will ultimately harm innocent lives.
On a technical level, the film is fantastic. The cinematography by Greig Fraser has a dark, muted tone that reflects the eerie nature of Gotham City. There are action sequences that stun with shots that are a sight to behold.
The musical score by Michael Giacchino fits the film perfectly with a Batman theme that you won’t be able to get out of your head.
Director Matt Reeves and a stellar cast blend the genres of film noir and exciting thriller to bring an excellent Batman film to the screen. The Batman is a dark, compelling, and memorable adaptation of Gotham City’s caped crusader.
My Rating: 9/10