(Photograph courtesy of Empire)
Batman is a character that we’ve seen redone and rebooted time and time again. As one of DC’s most popular superheroes, it feels like we never go long before seeing him on the big screen again, quite often, with a different actor playing the Dark Knight. From the moment that it was made public knowledge that we were getting a new Batman film, this time starring Robert Pattinson, it was inevitable that it would be a rendition that was compared to all the Batman movies before it. The movie would truly have to hold its own in order to impress Batman fans. Does it manage to do so?
“The Batman” is an entirely different take that what we’ve seen in theaters so far. This could be great for comic readers, but a little frustrating for casual superhero movie fans. Robert Pattinson’s Batman isn’t a “feel good” superhero fan, and is a lot like the character from the comics. “The Batman” relies heavier on Bruce Wayne’s detective skills and utility belt, and less on action scenes. This is not to say that there aren’t plenty of scenes of Batman beating up bad guys, but he uses his intelligence far more than previous versions of Batman. In other Batman films, it seems to often be forgotten that Bruce Wayne is supposed to be an incredible, crime-solving detective that can often outsmart his enemies, and in doing so take down opponents that would normally be able to beat him. So while fans may miss intense fight scenes, they’ll be replaced with scenes of problem-solving and Bruce flaunting that he’s more than just the Wayne family heir in a bulletproof suit.
The focus on Batman being a detective is one of the changes that make this Batman so appealing, and so different than the renditions we’ve seen before. The film almost feels more like a psychological thriller or mystery than a true superhero movie as Batman races the clock to find out the identity of the Riddler before he claims more lives. Even the Riddler has been changed to be a darker character, still giving hints in the form of riddles, but more like the Zodiac Killer than a jokester. He’s dark and deranged, but he has a point to make instead of being a mindless psychopath running around Gotham causing chaos just because he can.
Speaking of dark, Bruce Wayne himself is also a lot darker in this film. Even though we see him out of the suit and not just as Batman but as Bruce, he’s mysterious and brooding. He’s not the charming, suave son of Martha and Thomas, he’s antisocial and Gotham citizens are shocked to see him outside of Wayne Manor. The film takes place two years into his run as Batman, but the audience is led to believe that he began avoiding the public eye long before he became Batman. Robert Pattinson plays this role perfectly, never cracking a smile towards people in public, and barely speaking at all unless he’s masked up. He’d much rather stand back and observe, using his detective skills.
Pattinson wasn’t the only great casting either. Not a single character feels miscast in this film. Everyone from Zoë Kravitz as a mysterious Catwoman, to an unrecognizable Collin Farrell as Penguin and everyone in between, the cast truly put some serious effort into their roles. It makes the movie much more immersive, leaving the audience seeing the characters on the screen instead of the actors playing them. The acting paired with an incredible soundtrack that nearly sounds like funeral music sets the mood for the entire film.
The only real flaw “The Batman” runs into is its run time. The movie is much longer than the standard 2-hour film that most people are used to. It does a pretty good job at pacing all of the stories that it’s throwing at you, but there are slower parts that make the movie feel every bit of its 2 hours and 55 minute run time. This is a problem that could have easily been solved by cutting certain characters out, but it’s clear that the reason for their introductions is there for them to play a bigger part in future movies. There are even more characters that are not introduced but referenced throughout the film, possible hints at what a sequel might hold.
Overall, “The Batman” is a great film, if not what everyone expected out of a superhero movie. It’s a take on Batman with an entirely new, darker approach, which was needed for a character constantly getting reboots. Due to being darker and grittier, it may not be suitable for younger children, even those that are used to watching movies rated PG-13. The violence isn’t anything you wouldn’t expect from a PG-13 movie, but it does use strong language and bleak themes. While your kids may not be able to watch it, if you can handle the less than expected action, and the run time, you’ll be sure to enjoy it.
Written by Ashley Laney
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