Batman has gone through a lot of big screen iterations throughout the years and I'm pleased to report that this interpretation is solid. This is a comic-book movie that doesn't really feel like a comic-book film, which I can see it turning some fans off. I would compare the feeling of the film to 2019's JOKER.
It is long, and I certainly felt the length. 15-20 minutes easily could have been cut. There were moments where I thought the film would end but didn't and despite its long runtime I was never bored. Hard to say which parts I would have cut out, because things did move organically, but I did feel some of the Catwoman subplot involving Carmine Falcone played by John Turturro kinda stretched out the film a bit longer than it should have. While totally accurate to the source material and develops Catwoman, I felt that was the only part of the film that I felt the film mildly dragged.
Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Bruce Wayne comes off with a lot of angst, but in a good way. This is a Batman in his second year and he's socially awkward. He's more comfortable operating in the shadows/night wearing the cape and the cowl over just being Bruce Wayne. I think he will eventually grow into the Bruce Wayne we're familiar who is in the spotlight and comes off as a playboy as the films progress.
Without spoilers I did feel a reveal about Bruce's family, specifically regarding his mother kinda fell a little flat. Given that the Waynes are a public figure I felt the information given about his mom should have been information that would not be hidden if you get what I mean. It was the only part of the film I questioned.
By far this is the best detective Batman film. Up until now, Nolan and Bale showcased the detective side of Batman more than previous incarnations in their trilogy, but director Matt Reeves dials up the detective/noir element by a 100. Jim Gordon played by the amazing Jeffery Wright is the MVP. His working relationship with Batman are the best parts of the film as they solve the riddles and murders together.
Paul Dano's Riddler is effective and creepy. Very Zodiac killer inspired, lots of disturbing imagery. His motive is quite effective and he is true to his convictions. Zoe Kravitz isn't too shabby as Catwoman and Colin Farrel is totally unrecognizable as the Penguin. Andy Serkis' Alfred is also a highlight. Alfred and Bruce's dynamic is a bit different as it's kinda hostile, but it's clear Bruce knows Alfred is the only connection to humanity he has. We saw hints of that in Snyder's BVS, but I think their hostile yet kinda tender relationship is a bit more fleshed out here.
Aside from the Batmobile chase scene, the action scenes aren't mind blowing, but they have this visceral gritty feel. You can feel the hits Batman takes as he's fighting thugs so he's not as impervious which only reinforces him still being a "rookie."
As a comic-book fan I loved that Reeves clearly took some inspiration of THE LONG HALLOWEEN and DARK VICTORY. A splash of YEAR ONE and NO MAN'S LAND as well. I want to also add that this Gotham felt like an actual character, a real crappy place to live in.
Overall, I went in with A LOT of bias because what I truly desired was the solo Ben Affleck Batman film that I desperately wanted. Reeves and Pattinson won me over. I would like to also add that Pattinson's Batman voice is far better than Bale. The tone of the film won me over, I would argue this is a bit darker than what Nolan did. Pattinson doesn't take the top spot as the best Batman, that still belongs to Affleck for me, but he absolutely delivers.
8.5/10.
It is long, and I certainly felt the length. 15-20 minutes easily could have been cut. There were moments where I thought the film would end but didn't and despite its long runtime I was never bored. Hard to say which parts I would have cut out, because things did move organically, but I did feel some of the Catwoman subplot involving Carmine Falcone played by John Turturro kinda stretched out the film a bit longer than it should have. While totally accurate to the source material and develops Catwoman, I felt that was the only part of the film that I felt the film mildly dragged.
Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Bruce Wayne comes off with a lot of angst, but in a good way. This is a Batman in his second year and he's socially awkward. He's more comfortable operating in the shadows/night wearing the cape and the cowl over just being Bruce Wayne. I think he will eventually grow into the Bruce Wayne we're familiar who is in the spotlight and comes off as a playboy as the films progress.
Without spoilers I did feel a reveal about Bruce's family, specifically regarding his mother kinda fell a little flat. Given that the Waynes are a public figure I felt the information given about his mom should have been information that would not be hidden if you get what I mean. It was the only part of the film I questioned.
By far this is the best detective Batman film. Up until now, Nolan and Bale showcased the detective side of Batman more than previous incarnations in their trilogy, but director Matt Reeves dials up the detective/noir element by a 100. Jim Gordon played by the amazing Jeffery Wright is the MVP. His working relationship with Batman are the best parts of the film as they solve the riddles and murders together.
Paul Dano's Riddler is effective and creepy. Very Zodiac killer inspired, lots of disturbing imagery. His motive is quite effective and he is true to his convictions. Zoe Kravitz isn't too shabby as Catwoman and Colin Farrel is totally unrecognizable as the Penguin. Andy Serkis' Alfred is also a highlight. Alfred and Bruce's dynamic is a bit different as it's kinda hostile, but it's clear Bruce knows Alfred is the only connection to humanity he has. We saw hints of that in Snyder's BVS, but I think their hostile yet kinda tender relationship is a bit more fleshed out here.
Aside from the Batmobile chase scene, the action scenes aren't mind blowing, but they have this visceral gritty feel. You can feel the hits Batman takes as he's fighting thugs so he's not as impervious which only reinforces him still being a "rookie."
As a comic-book fan I loved that Reeves clearly took some inspiration of THE LONG HALLOWEEN and DARK VICTORY. A splash of YEAR ONE and NO MAN'S LAND as well. I want to also add that this Gotham felt like an actual character, a real crappy place to live in.
Overall, I went in with A LOT of bias because what I truly desired was the solo Ben Affleck Batman film that I desperately wanted. Reeves and Pattinson won me over. I would like to also add that Pattinson's Batman voice is far better than Bale. The tone of the film won me over, I would argue this is a bit darker than what Nolan did. Pattinson doesn't take the top spot as the best Batman, that still belongs to Affleck for me, but he absolutely delivers.
8.5/10.