A Stunning Noir Epic Rivals The Dark Knight

Director Matt Reeves and star Robert Pattinson have crafted a stunning noir epic that rivals The Dark Knight. The Batman is a tour de force cinematic experience that will engulf you utterly. Gotham City drips in blood, corruption, and treachery as a tortured vigilante hunts a serial killer with a diabolical agenda. He uncovers frightening truths that shatter his sense of purpose. Raise your expectations to the stratosphere. The Batman is stupefyingly awesome.

Gotham City is shocked by the vicious murder of a powerful politician (Rupert Penry-Jones). The masked killer (Paul Dano) leaves enigmatic clues at the crime scene. Including a letter with a riddle addressed to the Batman (Robert Pattinson). GCPD lieutenant Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) allows the cape and cowled vigilante to investigate. Other cops can’t believe he associates with such a freak. But Jim Gordon has grown to trust Batman over the last two years. He uses a spotlight to call for Batman’s help and instill fear in street punks.

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The grisly murder rampage continues. Each time with a new puzzle and cypher to be decoded. Batman becomes obsessed with stopping the killer. He ignores the facade of his alter ego, billionaire heir Bruce Wayne. Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), his loyal caretaker since being orphaned as a boy, begs him to mind his birthright. The Wayne and Arkham families were pillars of the community. A clue leads Batman to organized crime. Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) and his scarred lackey Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) rule the underworld. He needs to infiltrate their inner sanctum. A tough cocktail waitress (Zoë Kravitz) is the answer.

The Batman hooks you from the opening frame. Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) hits you immediately with blunt force trauma. Gotham City’s bleak urban landscape is an open sewer of gritty streets bathed in tawdry neon lights. Nirvana’s melancholic “Something in the Way” sets the mood for a dark odyssey. The film is an action-packed crime thriller and thoughtful character study. The killer considers Batman as an ally against an oppressive elite class. Death, destruction, and mayhem are the only way to get attention. Both see themselves as the right instrument for change. It’s a fatalistic outlook that binds the villain and hero.

I had serious doubts about Robert Pattinson’s casting. He’s a fine dramatic actor. But would he have the gravitas and toughness to play such an iconic character? Drum roll please, Robert Pattinson becomes the new standard to be measured against. His Batman is a clenched fist and true detective. He brutalizes enemies in mind-blowing action scenes. Then puts on his thinking cowl to fastidiously search for clues. His Bruce Wayne is consumed by bottled rage and anger. He narrates his experiences as Batman. Chronicling his outlet for vengeance. The film forces him to reconcile his views of justice with those of a psychopath. We’ve never seen Bruce Wayne/Batman have this depth of introspection. Robert Pattinson is magnificent here.

Related: Is Batman a Hero or an Antihero?

The Batman is not an invincible superhero with limitless gadgets. Matt Reeves does a superb job of making his abilities and technology practical. He blackens his eyes under the cowl. He carries an ultraviolet light to illuminate fingerprints. The suit has specific modifications for bullet resistance, rappelling etc. The Batmobile is a muscle car, not a specialized tank. These down-to-earth features make the fighting encounters more thrilling. Batman’s nerve, skill, and strength set him above his enemies. He meets his match with an antagonist who can outwit him. No spoilers about Paul Dano’s character. He’s Heath Ledger good.

The Batman runs a whopping two hours and fifty-six minutes. The mystery is intense, gripping, and detailed. There is a point where Matt Reeves reaches perfection. Then goes on for another thirty minutes. The final act somewhat dilutes achieved greatness. But there’s an understandable philosophical lesson that the film wants to teach. The Batman is going to blow audiences out of their chairs. Just use the bathroom first and get a small soda.

The Batman is produced by 6th & Idaho Productions, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. It will have an exclusive forty-five-day theatrical release window from March 4th. Then will be available to stream on HBO Max.

About The Author

Julian Roman
(1469 Articles Published)

Julian Roman has been with Movieweb for nearly twenty years. An avid film buff, he feels lucky to have interviewed and written extensively about Hollywood’s greatest talents. In his spare time he plays guitar, treasures good company, and always seeks new adventures.

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