Directed by Matt Reeves (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and starring Robert Pattison as Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle (Catwoman), The Batman offers a very different take on the Caped Crusader.
The Batman plot synopsis
On Halloween Gotham’s mayor Don Mitchell is murdered by a masked man calling himself the Riddler. Batman, who has spent the last two years fighting crime as the caped crusader investigates alongside the Gotham City Police Department, with whom he has a hot and cold relationship. Lieutenant James Gordon finds a message intended for Batman which is followed by the murder of Commissioner Pete Savage.
After discovering a thumb drive (which may be the best moment in the movie) with images of mayor Mitchell seemingly having an affair with a woman at the Iceberg Lounge – a nightclub managed by the Penguin, an enforcer for mobster Carmine Falcone – it becomes ever more clear that the killer’s motive is personal. Batman must reach deep into his detective toolkit and enlist familiar allies and frenemies like Selina Kyle to stop the Riddler and save Gotham from his wrath.
The good
Dark tone
Matt Reeves managed to create a Gotham City that appears ripped straight from the pages of the comics. The city is gritty and corrupt to its core. There is no question that Gotham is under assault.
The movie takes a much darker and more realistic take on Batman than ever before. Even the Caped Crusader himself feels much more grounded with his gadgets and batmobile. It may be the darkest on-screen take of Gotham City and Batman yet.
Excellent cinematography
The Batman is easily one of the best-looking comic book movies ever. Every shot is crafted to perfection. Many frames resemble paintings with a dark tone and clever use of color palettes.
Robert Pattinson as Batman
When the movie was first announced, Robert Pattinson was heavily criticized. People thought he wouldn’t fit the role of Batman, but Pattinson knocks it out of the park.
The movie centers on a Batman who has been working for only 2 years and you can feel the job is affecting his mental health. Even when Pattinson plays Bruce Wayne, it is hard to differentiate his alter-ego from Batman. However, it fits perfectly with the tone and atmosphere of the movie.
The plot
The plot is simple but represents a different take on the Caped Crusader. We have seen various action/adventure movies staring the Dark Knight – most emphasize his fighting skills and innovative abilities – but this time around, Matt Reeves focuses more Batman’s detective roots. It was a treat for die-hard comic book fans as no movie has ever shown this side of the character.
Other performances
Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman was also an excellent performance. Jeffery Wright plays a moody James Gordon, who is perfect for the movie’s tone, and Paul Dano as The Riddler is a superb villain.
However, the real standout was Colin Farrell as Cobblepot/Penguin. Aside from being unrecognizable, he was also the comedic relief for this gritty adaptation.
The bad
While there are not any major issues with The Batman, the 2 hours and 56 min runtime can feel quite long.
Additionally, some viewers have taken issue with Batman’s look and emotional state. There are moments where Bruce Wayne (out of costume) looks unwell, even sickly, and gothic. But more than his look, physically he often looks hurt – as if he just found out his childhood pet had died – rather than being angry that a masked killer is harassing those he loves and terrorizing the city.
Still, while this look has been reported and discussed ad nauseum online, it is worth mentioning – this is what Batman would look like if he were once a vampire – exactly what you’d expect. And honestly, it isn’t the best look – just my opinion – but some viewers may disagree.
Conclusion
While The Batman is not an action-filled movie, it hits all the right notes. The dark tone and a mystery-filled plot keep you on the edge of your seat for most of the film. And for these reasons, The Batman is definitely a must watch for 2022.
The Batman was released in theatres on March 4, 2022. Stream it on HBO Max today.