Photo from @TheBatman Twitter
Batman is a franchise that is older than I am. But still, to this day, they are finding new ways to bring the caped crusader to the big screen. The Batman has Bruce Wayne, played by Robert Pattinson, going up against the Riddler, a psychotic mastermind that likes to play games with his enemies. Finding and defeating the Riddler will take more than just vengeance from the shadows. Matt Reeves took the mantle of director of this film. But was Matt Reeves’ iteration of Batman a home run, or did Robert Pattinson swing and miss?
To start, we have to start with the star of the film. Robert Pattinson has proven he is more than just the guy from Twilight. Robert Pattinson is the 7th actor to don the suit and cape and fight Gotham crime. Each actor has brought something unique to the Batman character, but it is more about what he has brought to Bruce Wayne in this film. Instead of using typical Batman movie tendencies, this film focuses more on Bruce Wayne. The balance between billionaire and Batman is an essential part of the film. But there is also an added balance with Batman as he is more than just a Dark Knight. He is a detective. This distinction brings more life, character, and development to The Batman in ways not done before. Robert Pattinson truly is, in my opinion, the best Bruce Wayne we will ever see. Some can rival his Batman. But, this added layer to Bruce Wayne also makes Batman feel much more grounded and realistic.
The casting for the other side characters was also quite good. Zoe Kravitz plays Catwoman wonderfully, bringing a seductive vibe to the character. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable as Penguin and plays the role seamlessly. Andy Serkis was also shockingly good as Alfred. This casting choice was an odd one at first. This is due to Serkis bringing a much different vibe to Bruce Wayne’s infamous butler. But for this version of Batman, it works very well. Jeffrey Wright is a solid Commissioner Gordon. The way Wright and Pattinson play off each other is lovely. Their chemistry together makes every one of their scenes stand out. Finally, Paul Dano pours his heart into this Riddler role giving an over-the-top and scary performance as the psychotic trickster. His scenes in the film always command your attention and make you uneasy.
While the casting was great, a good cast is nothing without a good script, and the writing for this film was terrific. Each scene felt realistic, smooth, and did not feel corny. Certain attempts at humor were unexpected, but they were funny in a way that didn’t make scenes feel cringe. Batman’s partnerships in this film with multiple different characters always seem real. The film truly comes across as one of the best-written superhero films to date.
Director Matt Reeves set out to film the best Batman movie. He sure did all he could do to make that happen. The cinematography of this film was outstanding, with multiple scenes feeling downright uneasy and breathtaking. One scene, in particular, has darkness being used as an element that feels just as scary as death itself. The use of darkness in this film is also incredible, as the emphasis on shadows shows just how deadly and terrifying Batman can be. The way Gotham was shot also added more to the city’s character. In most Batman films, the city looks like a dark New York City. But, in this film, Gotham stands out as a city full of life and character that jumps right out of the comics. The way the city develops in the background as the movie progresses adds extra layers to the film. Reeves made sure to focus on the little things in the scenes that make the film feel genuinely polished.
Overall, this film brings a new Batman and Bruce Wayne to light that rivals the very best. In terms of comparison, it is hard to find a Batman film that can compete with it. I hope that Robert Pattinson sets some time aside over the next decade and brings us an entire generation of Batman films. If this is how good these films will be, DC needs to take advantage of their biggest potential money maker.
RATING: 10/10
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