The Batman review is finally here. Yes, I know. This movie has been out for weeks now, but I’ve only just managed to pick my jaw up off the floor. Buckle up, here’s my completely underqualified recap of this splendidly striking iteration of the classic DC comic.
In the glorious post-Covid age of streaming platforms, this movie touched base online 45 days after its US release. After having seen it in the cinema, I got a Paramount Plus membership, and then a VPN, then a random email virus from 123Movies, just to see it again. It’s out currently on HBO, if you’re interested, but there’s no free trial (absolute tragedy). I could’ve just gone to a cinema and watched it, but that would’ve been way too simple.
Let us first begin with the cast. Robert Pattinson gives an intricate, strong and layered performance as The Batman. In my opinion, it’s his best acting yet. Zoe Kravitz is mysterious, and downright badass as Catwoman. Both are also hot as hell in this movie. Had to be said. I found the acting to be impressive across the board, enough to have me feeling immersed in the Gotham universe. Paul Dano is chilling as the Riddler, Jeffrey Wright sincere as James Gordon and legend Andy Serkis as fiercely protective ally Alfred Pennyworth.
What I like about this film is that you don’t have to know the ins and outs of the Batman franchise in order to deeply appreciate it, however it also doesn’t waste time trying to explain the story from the beginning. Matt Reeves created this film with the perfect assumption of our knowledge, while driving the Bruce Wayne’s story further into why and how Batman and Gotham came to be. As a Marvel fan, I enjoy the balance of light with dark, action with serenity and sobriety with humour. I always found DC films too gloomy and lacking in emotional depth. I’d underestimated Matt Reeves and his stunning cast.
I found it easy to establish a connection with the depths of the Batman franchise through this film. Tons of easter eggs are meticulously created to interlock between comics, films and storylines. If I were more of a DC fan, this probably would’ve driven me crazy.
The film follows a ‘who-done-it’ storyline, set in the early days of Batman’s reign of vengeance over Gotham.
Try asking me how the heck I knew that before this film.
However, subtle bits and pieces of how Pattinson portrays Bruce Wayne are deliciously symbolic of his character. We see him vulnerable, making mistakes and being caught off guard. He seeks help and learns from others, having an intriguing, yet refreshing dependence on those around him to find the killer. He discovered important pieces of his past. I think this allows us to connect even further with his character. Classic Batman villains come into play throughout the film, leading toward the solved case of the twisted Riddler. I was excited to learn that Matt Reeves took inspiration from other cult classics such as Seven, Zodiac and Halloween in both setting and story.
I end this piece on the best aspect of this film, which is the cinematography. Greig Fraser (who is actually an RMIT Alumni), created the setting of The Batman with such admirable precision and direction. There were scenes within this film where I found myself reeling just from the sheer beauty of how the lighting, setting and camera work effortlessly between each other. Normally, I find the Batman films almost too dark, however there was ‘something in the way’ it was filmed that struck a metaphorical bolt right into my chest.
Unfortunately these days, I’m a TikTok person, which means my attention to films and videos is easily lost. The Batman is one of the only three-hour films that I haven’t checked my phone in, desperate for it to finally roll credits. Dare I say, I could’ve even done another half-hour. I left the theatres with my heart beating, my eyes a little watery, and my shirt covered in neglected choc top remnants (however that might just be me).
Article written by India Curtain
Cover Image: Courtesy of Warner Bros