The Batman Review: The Dawn Of A New Era

Robert Pattinson shines as The Batman portrays a damaged young hero and the foundation of his quest to be more than a symbol for his city.

Premise

The Batman story takes place early in Bruce Wayne’s crime-fighting career. He’s a young Batman. A man searching for the truth. A brawler who is gritty and rough around the edges and there is a real sense that Gotham city is weighing heavy on his conscience. His only source of guidance is the family butler that oversees his activities. When a serial killer starts a reign of terror, Batman must spring into action and uncover the secrets of the city and his own family.

Characters

Commissioner Gordon separates Batman from the GCPD

Many actors have donned the cowl as Batman from Adam West and George Clooney to Will Arnett and Ben Affleck. Each actor submits his own interpretation of the dual nature of Bruce Wayne and Batman. Some debut to wide appeal and some are cherished by a niche audience. Robert Pattinson’s performance in The Batman becomes a bridge between both extremes. He performs the violent action scenes in a perfect mirror image of Batman from decades of comic lore. However, his portrayal also dives into the cerebral and emotional core of the character. The audience feels the physical and mental strain that Bruce Wayne endures every time he dons the cowl to protect the city.

Robert Pattinson does perform the heavy lifting in The Batman, let’s not confuse ourselves.  He’s emotional, yet hardened. He’s immovable, yet compassionate. But his performance is only amplified by a strong supporting cast.

Paul Dano brings a harrowing nature to the role of the riddler. Jeffery Wright excels as Commissioner Gordon, leader of the light on the Gotham police force. Zoe Kravitz brings a balance of grace and ferocity as Selina Kyle. Andy Serkis is both governing and stalwart as Alfred. John Turturo and Colin Farrell exude the corrupt nature of Gotham. Together with Pattinson, the cast displays the importance of nuance within Gotham City.

Gotham City

The Bat-signal in the Gotham night sky

The city of Gotham is just as important as the other supporting characters in this movie. It’s dark, gloomy, and irreparable. The rain is constant. The buildings are claustrophobic. Corruption infects almost every avenue and in The Batman and it feels tangible.

Director Matt Reeves highlights the feeling of helplessness through long dialogue shots against the backdrop of crime in and around the city. The sky seldom breaks for the morning sun, leaving the characters cloaked in darkness. Cinematographer Greg Fraiser uses plenty of shadows, harsh red lights, and alleyways to emphasize despair. Those, along with Michael Giacchino’s haunting score, posit Gotham as the source of Batman’s trials, not just a setting for his story.

The Batman Review

The Batman arrives at a perfect union between Zodiac, Joker, and Batman: The Animated Series. The film stands shoulder to shoulder with Christopher Nolan’s interpretation in The Dark Knight and creates the foundation that leaves the audience excited for the next visual diary entry from Bruce Wayne.

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