The Batman Review

”Fear is a tool. When that light hits the sky, it’s not just a call; it’s a warning,” says Batman. The Batman is bleak, dark, and violent. The movie is long, but it is another enduring brick in the Batman legacy. It is fast-paced, exciting, and has an incredible story. Directed by Matt Reeves, and produced by Dylan Clark and Matt Reeves, Batman (Robert Pattinson) ventures into Gotham City when a sadistic murderer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence starts to lead closer to home and the perpetrator’s scale of plans becomes clear, he must forge a new relationship, reveal the criminal, and bring justice to the abuses of power and corruption that have long tormented Gotham.

The compelling part of The Batman is more so the detective story than the usual action-packed display. However, it does give that element and relevant themes with complex characters. The Batman makes a wise judgment in almost every aspect, finding a solution for Cristian Bale’s aggravating whisper/growl line delivery. Pattinson speaks softly but still, he never strains. Reeves’ movie is dark, with it raining often, but he clears the images in a warmer brown tone, spiced with yellow and orange highlights, bringing desperation and weariness to the proceedings. While there are many villains in the movie, unlike the 1990s series, the film never feels messed up. The Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman each occupy their space in the story.

Moreover, Batman is more vulnerable and human in the film. He gets wrecked by the impact of the blows and periodically gets winded. In the beginning, he sees himself as an avenging angel, but as the story progresses, he realizes that things are not that simple and that there are gray areas. There are repercussions. A third-act climax highlights the dangers of social media and misinformation when following specific, terrifying real-life events. Reeves required plenty of time to lay all this out and some much-needed time to build relationships and characters. The final result is that The Batman clocks in at a stunning 2 hours and 55 minutes, making it arguably the most mature and confident film by Batman to date.

Batman is violent and conflicted but also uses his head and learns as he progresses.  The film is more diverse – it deals with the cost of vengeance and thoughtfully with nature. It also touches on how social media can spread wrong information. There are many exciting things in the movie too, like how Reeves paints Gotham as a city that comes alive at night. There are perpetual downpours, sickly orange beams, and the grey exteriors turned colorless by grime and years. Your vision is obstructed by rain from all directions and light flares from passing cars. Reeves allows you to have a realistic view as the scene unfolds without pulling back the lighting. For instance, there is a fight scene where after disconnecting the Iceberg Lounge Power, the actions are scattered in gunfire bursts that brightens Batman’s martial skills before going dark.

Also, The Batman is reinforced by strong supporting characters and cast. There is Zoe Kravitz, who has believable chemistry and tension with Pattinson. The charming menace Carmine Falcone, who is played the magnificent John Turturro. Others characters include Batman’s intermediary at the police force, the world-weary cop Jeffrey Wrights, James Gordon, and more. In conclusion, Batman is thrilling from beginning to end. It is seductive and a gripping detective tale by way of superheroism.

Rating the Film:

Visuals: 4.5/5

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

Music: 4/5

Originality: 4/5