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Home > Movies

The Batman Review – The Dark Knight Reborn

bySergio Pereira
2 years ago
in Movies
18
The Batman Movie 2022

In the lead-up to The Batman, one of the biggest complaints I saw online was the fact that “it’s too dark” and looks devoid of “hope”. Well, if a story about a boy who witnessed his parents getting shot in front of him is supposed to be a teen comedy, I’d like to see the criticism of Titanic for not having enough fantasy elements. Yet, here’s the irony: The Batman‘s central theme is all about hope, so suck on that, Film Twitter!

There have been countless Dark Knight films throughout the years. Since 1989’s Batman, there’s hardly been a decade gap between the vigilante’s appearances on screen. But what makes Matt Reeves’ film necessary? What separates it from every other movie before it? The answer is simple: it’s Batman. This isn’t a slight on any of the previous efforts, but never has a Batman film actually felt like it was ripped straight of the comics. This is the mystery-soaked noir and action of The Long Halloween, Hush, and No Man’s Land embroiled into a captivating detective story that shares more with the likes of Se7en than it does with Shazam.

Esquire-The-Batman

Throughout its nearly three-hour runtime, there’s a sense of a comic book arc forming the basis of the script here, as each layer of the Riddler’s big plan gets peeled back and revealed. It’s through this method that Reeves’ Gotham City gets built in an organic way. There are many characters from the comics introduced here, but The Batman never feels overstuffed, as each person becomes a crucial pawn in this chess game. To paraphrase the Riddler: “Everyone is a part of this.”

Of course, a story is only as good as its actors, and The Batman‘s cast delivers a rousing performance here. As expected by anyone who has watched Robert Pattinson’s films in recent years, he disappears into the role, fully understanding the emotional nuances of the character and the change in journey. Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne doesn’t matter for the most part here since he’s more concerned with being Batman. However, there are glimpses in the film of where he finally recognises where the mask of Bruce is more helpful than that of the Dark Knight.

Supporting Pattinson is an array of talent who demonstrate their key importance to the story in various ways. Some roles are meatier than others, but there are two standouts that deserve credit here. Jeffrey Wright’s Jim Gordon is central to everything that Batman does here. While he relies heavily on the vigilante to assist him, especially since the Gotham City Police Department features more corruption than the average political party, he plays a critical part in helping the Dark Knight, too. In fact, there’s a specific scene where he saves the Batman from himself, proving that no man is an island.

While Paul Dano’s Riddler is the main antagonist of the film, one of the most unexpected performances comes from John Turturro’s Carmine Falcone. There have been numerous versions of this character in film, but Turturro’s turn as the Gotham mobster is arguably the best of the lot. Without delving into too many spoilers here, the Riddler might be causing the chaos, but Falcone is the root cause of all of city’s problems. Turturro simply steals the show, even if his character is lesser known than the likes of the Penguin or Catwoman.

The-Batman-The-Riddler-Movie

If there are two people who deserve more recognition, it’s cinematographer Greig Fraser and composer Michael Giacchino. Fraser’s previous work on Rogue One and Dune received many plaudits, but the way in which he captures Gotham City is breath-taking. There are shots here that feel like works of art, as he reinvents the aesthetics of film noir for a modern generation. While the picture might paint a thousand words, Giacchino makes you feel single one of them as his poignant score elevates the scenes and makes them mesmerising moments.

Now, back to the original discussion about the film being too dark and hopeless. There’s a technique in art called juxtaposition. A film doesn’t need to be bright and colourful to showcase a happy message—much like a movie doesn’t need to be dark to be sad. In The Batman, Reeves demonstrates that Gotham is stuck in a spiral of despair. It’s a city seething in corruption and crime. At the same time, Reeves understands that Batman isn’t going to change this by using his fists, but by becoming a symbol of hope, by becoming someone who refuses to give up, no matter how bad everything around him gets. He gets that the healing of Gotham is also about the healing of Bruce Wayne. And there’s always hope as long as he still believes.

The Batman is a film that pushes comic book movies forward once again. More importantly, it’s one of the few that has honoured the comic book medium and the source material that came before it. Too often, comics are seen as secondary to the movies, TV shows, and games that they inspire, but the reverse is true here. The Batman is a love letter to the World’s Greatest Detective and it’s long overdue.

Tell us, have you watched The Batman yet? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments section down below.

Tags: Batman NewsMatt Reeves NewsMovie ReviewsRobert Pattinson NewsThe Batman News
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Sergio Pereira

Sergio Pereira

Sergio Pereira is a writer from Johannesburg, South Africa. He has a strong interest in comic books, film, music, and comedy, having been in the entertainment journalism space for over 15 years.

Sergio is also an accredited Rotten Tomatoes reviewer and has interviewed numerous celebrities in this time. He is the author of the highly rated fantasy comedy novel The Not-So-Grim Reaper and numerous short stories. In addition, he is the co-writer of the South African crime drama film The Lifesaver. As a columnist, he contributes to Looper, Grunge, Screen Rant, Ranker, CBR, SYFY WIRE, IGN Africa, and Fortress of Solitude.

For Sergio, all he wants in life is to see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles eclipse the Justice League as the greatest heroes of all time. Then, he will sleep peacefully.

Comments 18

  1. Manjoo Rughunandan says:
    2 years ago

    The Batman is a film that pushes comic book movies forward once again. More importantly, it’s one of the few that has honoured the comic book medium and the source material that came before it. Too often, comics are seen as secondary. .”Batman is a love letter to the world’s greatest Detective abd its lobg overdue “

    Reply
  2. Manjoo Rughunandan says:
    2 years ago

    The Batman is a film that pushes comic book movies forward once again. More importantly, it’s one of the few that has honoured the comic book medium and the source material that came before it. Too often, comics are seen as secondary to the movies, TV shows, and games that they inspire, but the reverse is true here.”Batman is a love letter to the world’s greatest Detective abd its lobg overdue “

    Reply
  3. FAZLEN ISAACS says:
    2 years ago

    This is the mystery-soaked noir and action of The Long Halloween, Hush, and No Man’s Land embroiled into a captivating detective story that shares more with the likes of Se7en than it does with Shazam.

    Reply
  4. Daniel Zachary says:
    2 years ago

    “While the picture might paint a thousand words, Giacchino makes you feel single one of them as his poignant score elevates the scenes and makes them mesmerising moments.”

    This film blows me away; I have loved Batman above other superheroes my entire life and I’ve been more than a little disappointed with the recent live action adaptations, but this film delivered most of what I’ve been longing to experience in spades. From plot and aesthetic, to the noir elements and the score (which is something that makes or breaks films for me), this film is easily one of the best films I’ve seen in a long long time. Michael Giacchino captured musically what the past few composers haven’t been able to, what it means to be Batman and the true feelings of Bruce Wayne. I was so surprised by everything, the director, the actors (including Pattinson), the look, the music, and I’m so happy once again. This movie gave me more than hope for better cinema, but it instilled in me pure hope in life thanks to the return of BATMAN Batman, the one who helped me so much as a young kid (and reminds me of my dad).

    Reply
  5. Daniel Zachary says:
    2 years ago

    “While the picture might paint a thousand words, Giacchino makes you feel single one of them as his poignant score elevates the scenes and makes them mesmerising moments.”

    This film blows me away; I have loved Batman above other superheroes my entire life and I’ve been more than a little disappointed with the recent live action adaptations, but this film delivered most of what I’ve been longing to experience in spades. From plot and aesthetic, to the noir elements and the score (which is something that makes or breaks films for me), this film is easily one of the best films I’ve seen in a long long time. Michael Giacchino captured musically what the past few composers haven’t been able to, what it means to be Batman and the true feelings of Bruce Wayne. I was so surprised by everything, the director, the actors (including Pattinson), the look, the music, etc., I’m happy once again. This movie gave me more than hope for better cinema, but it instilled in me pure hope in life thanks to the return of BATMAN Batman, the one who helped me so much as a young kid (and reminds me of my dad).

    Reply
  6. atira naidoo says:
    2 years ago

    I saw online was the fact that “it’s too dark” and looks devoid of “hope”.

    Reply
  7. Alex Strydom says:
    2 years ago

    Of course, a story is only as good as its actors, and The Batman‘s cast delivers a rousing performance here.

    Reply
  8. Christo Bruyns says:
    2 years ago

    The Batman is a love letter to the World’s Greatest Detective and it’s long overdue.

    Reply
  9. Gareth M says:
    2 years ago

    “As expected by anyone who has watched Robert Pattinson’s films in recent years, he disappears into the role, fully understanding the emotional nuances of the character and the change in journey.”

    My initial response to Patterson being the next Batman was not very kind.I was happily surprised to watch his gothic and gritty feel to the mask and made me a believer. Batman is my number one superhero, if that’s what you would call him, and I’ll be happy to rewatch his powerful rendition of the man behind the mask. 5/5

    Reply
  10. Gareth says:
    2 years ago

    “As expected by anyone who has watched Robert Pattinson’s films in recent years, he disappears into the role, fully understanding the emotional nuances of the character and the change in journey.”

    My initial response to Patterson being the next Batman was not very kind. I love linked him to his days of being a sparkling vampire and was vehemently opposed to him, wondering how he could ever make the role plausible.

    I was happily surprised to watch his gothic and gritty feel to the mask and made me a believer. Batman is my number one superhero, if that’s what you would call him, and I’ll be happy to rewatch his powerful rendition of the man behind the mask. 5/5

    Reply
  11. Arindam Dutta says:
    2 years ago

    “The Batman is a love letter to the World’s Greatest Detective and it’s long overdue.”

    Loved the movie absolutely.

    Reply
  12. Arindam Dutta says:
    2 years ago

    “The Batman is a love letter to the World’s Greatest Detective and it’s long overdue.”

    It’s one of the best movies from DC so far. Loved it absolutely.

    Reply
  13. Arindam Dutta says:
    2 years ago

    “The Batmanis a film that pushes comic book movies forward once again. More importantly, it’s one of the few that has honoured the comic book medium and the source material that came before it.”
    “The Batman is a love letter to the World’s Greatest Detective and it’s long overdue.”

    It’s one of the best movies from DC so far. Loved it absolutely.

    Reply
  14. Arindam Dutta says:
    2 years ago

    “The Batmanis a film that pushes comic book movies forward once again. More importantly, it’s one of the few that has honoured the comic book medium and the source material that came before it.”
    “The Batman is a love letter to the World’s Greatest Detective and it’s long overdue.”

    It’s one of the best movies from DC so far. Loved it.

    Reply
  15. Mazwi Brian Ndlovu says:
    2 years ago

    “The Batman is a love letter to the World’s Greatest Detective and it’s long overdue”

    I have not watched The Batman yet. I was working yesterday when it dropped in cinemas. But I’m off today so I’m going to watch it by myself.

    Reply
  16. Ray Sadulla says:
    2 years ago

    Just watched the movie. It’s the Batman we want to see. No spoilers here, but I will be watching the movie again, soon.

    Reply
  17. Ray says:
    2 years ago

    Just watched the movie. It’s the Batman we want to see. No spoilers here, but I will be watching the movie again, soon.

    Reply
  18. Jess says:
    2 years ago

    I’d like to see the criticism of Titanic for not having enough fantasy elements.

    Reply

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