"The Batman" Review by Josiah Gunn

 

Looking for an edge of your seat, mystery thriller? Maybe you're a die-hard fan of the comic books or you just can’t think of a better first date. Whatever the case, “The Batman” will serve you well with its daring, new take on the classic superhero. It’s got the suspense and crime to satisfy your inner detective, the breathtaking scenes ripped right from the comic books to impress the die-hard fans, and quality romance for the Pattison enthusiasts. 

The newest Batman movie hit theaters a little over a month ago, 10 years after the conclusion of the last Batman trilogy. It hurdled its predecessor “The Dark Knight,” reaching the worldwide milestone of $600 million at the box office this month and remains the movie everyone is talking about. The big question of whether it lives up to the hype is a surprisingly easy one. Yes!

“The Batman” delivers a grounded, entertaining mystery that has a tasteful sprinkle of social commentary. The story is based around the physiological battle between the story's two main characters, Batman, played by Robert Pattinson, and the Riddler, played by Paul Dano. These two actors give some of their best performances since Dano’s part in “Prisoners” and Pattison’s in “The Lighthouse.” 

They are the heart of the movie, but are only standouts in a cast that goes all in. Characters such as Catwomen, played by Zoe Kravitz, and Penguin, played by Colin Farrell, lose themselves in wonderful performances as well. Many actually didn’t know on first watch that Farrell was behind the masterpiece of makeup that was the face of the Penguin. They also both stay consistent to their characters’ comic book selves, helping and/or hurting Batman with his investigation throughout. 

Other characters such as Commissioner Gorden, played by Jeffrey Wright, and Alfred, played by Andy Circus, bring something new to their characters. New looks for beloved characters and memorable performances pave the way for this movie to set itself apart from other Batman films.

It’s a mix of murder mystery and action movie as Batman tries to figure out what secrets Riddler knows , doesn’t know, and who his next target is. The three-hour run time of “The Batman” is perfectly paced and climaxes in jaw-dropping, satisfying chaos of the villain’s making. 

Since the release of the new Batman movie, critics and fans alike have been pouring in positive reviews. It is one of those movies that manages to satisfy the rabid fans and impress snobby critics. The website Rotten Tomatoes currently has it at a 85% critics score and a 87% audience rating. 

One of the first things that is apparent with this movie is that the actors loved the process. You can tell they all are invested in their characters and the quality of the film. Many who played parts in “The Batman” reflected on the project positively. 

In an interview leading up to the release of the movie, Farrell said, “(‘The Batman’) … is a beautiful and immersive world where, at the heart of it all, there are fundamental, important questions being asked.” A great example of this is the movie makes you ponder the difference between Batman and Riddler. With both resorting to violence so often and the movie's consistent mirror shots between them, the question “how much of a hero is Batman?” is a fair one.

Other actors from the movie besides Farrell also chipped in about their favorite parts of the film. In the book The Art of The Batman, there is a quote from actress Zoe Kravtiz about the movie as a whole and, more specifically, the relationship between her character and the Batman. 

She claims it to be “scary, exciting, and sexy all at the same time,” and I have to agree with her. The tension she and Pattinson are able to put on the screen is palpable. Their chemistry makes every interaction drip with charisma, while the well-written dialogue only adds to their relationship and gives their exchanges a natural feel.

This movie wasn’t perfect, though, and there is some room for improvement. Throughout the movie, there are action scenes that don’t quite hit the mark for me. Many aim for hectic and go for a disorienting feel, but end up falling more into the confusing category. The movie would have benefitted from simpler shots at times. I wish they would let their great fight choreography shine with an occasional smoother shot.

Beyond that, there was barely anything that didn’t keep me at the edge of my seat and even the messy action sequences had memorable moments. One car chase in particular was moving a little too fast for me, but also had one of the best shots I've seen in the last couple of years. I wish I could describe how hard my jaw dropped, but this freeze frame is best experienced in the theater. 

This generation's Batman movie delivers a chilling mystery in the packaging of an action movie. The sound design grips you, the cinematography leaves you speechless, and the performances are so passionate, by the end you’ve forgotten any tiny nitpicks you may have had. The Batman’s return had fans nervous with bold casting choices and self-induced high expectations, but now that it’s here I can say it exceeds those expectations. 

 

At a Glance

“The Batman”

Score: 9.1/10

 
Director: Matt Reeves

Release Date: March 1, 2022

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jefferey Wright, Colin Ferrell, Andy Circus, and more.

Where to Watch: HBO MAX or a theater near you.