The Batman is a movie that will leave you thinking long after you leave the theater. It is an extremely relevant film, given the state of the world today. The parallels between Gotham and our current society are uncanny. This movie is not just a superhero flick- it is a statement about our times.
Like our world, Gotham is plagued by violence and corruption. The rich get richer, while the poor suffer. People are desperate for change, but they don't know how to make it happen. This is a story about the fight for justice in a city that has lost hope. If you are looking for the normal DC/Marvel Universe, this is not it.
Robert Pattinson plays the iconic Caped Crusader in his debut as Batman. However, unlike other Batman stories, director Matt Reeves will not focus on the hero's birth narrative. Rather than that, Pattinson's Batman will be in his second year of battling crime and corruption in Gotham. He succeeded as a writer and director in creating a Batman film that was completely different from the others in the live-action genre, yet still very loyal to Gotham traditions as a whole. This was the Gotham that we know ruthless, rough, and dark.
The Batman skips past the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents, the spark that inevitably leads the young billionaire down a path towards becoming Batman. Set during the character’s second year as the masked crime fighter, the film follows the vigilante as he tries to capture a serial killer who is targeting corrupt officials in Gotham.
The film is a dark, paranoid plunge into Gotham's unethical underbelly. It's angry, tragic, and intelligent… it's a fantastic and amazing dive into the psyche of Gotham's protector, and it easily ranks among the finest and most fascinating superhero films ever created. Watching you can't help but think of the political corruptness that plaques our country. At some point, I saw signs of the January 6th Resurrection.
A masked villain begins murdering Gotham's political elite, leaving behind elaborate clues for one bat-themed vigilante. It creates a tremendous amount of anxiety throughout the city as well-kept secrets are revealed and the Powers That Be begin to panic. Bruce also encounters Selena Kyle (Zoë Kravitz), a young woman who proves herself to be more fascinating and capable than Bruce could have imagined. As Batman appears to always be one step behind the Riddler, things become larger, bolder, and riskier.
The Batman is fantastic. It has a powerful fervent essence, while being mysterious and filled with lots of action. The cinematography makes you want to pause and take it all in, the performances are notable, and it's a mix between an on edge mystery and drama. The characters are on point; the direction is intentional and powerful.… and you won't want to miss it.
This movie is a reminder that we can't give up on our society- we have to keep fighting for justice no matter what. We need to be the army of light in the darkness. We can make a difference- if we just don't give up.
Stay pass the credits….
We have been programmed to let the credits play to the very end on most action films hoping for a glimpse into the next saga. Throughout the film, we see the Riddler utilizing a computer programming language to converse with The Batman. After the credits end, there's just a similar screen that says “goodbye” to moviegoers. Time will tell what this actually means.
He succeeded as a writer and director in creating a Batman film that was completely different from the others in the live-action genre, yet still very loyal to Gotham traditions as a whole. This was the Gotham that I longed to visit; gritty, dark, and brutal. There are plenty of strange events in a city.
The Batman premieres in theaters March 4th, 2022.
Rating: PG 13- Some strong suggestive content
Running time: 2 hour 56 minutes
Genre: Crime, Action, Adventure, Drama
Director: Matt Reeves
Writer: Matt Reeves, Peter Craig
Producers: Dylan Clark, Matt Reeves
