When it comes to a character as well-known as Batman, it’s difficult to do something truly unique from what has come before.
So we took it with a grain of salt when Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson promised that The Batman would be “new and distinct,” since, at the end of the day, this is still Batman. However, we are delighted to be proven completely wrong in this case.
We’re seeing a side of Batman that has never been completely explored on screen before by bypassing the origin tale and focusing on the “World’s Greatest Detective” component. Reeves has given the character a thrilling spin by incorporating significant film noir overtones and a vividly drawn Gotham (under)world.
You’ll undoubtedly compare The Batman to other Batman films, yet it not only stands up to the best of them, but it also ranks among the best comic-book films of all time. That’s how good it is.
And if that’s all you need to know, you’re free to depart at this time. But don’t worry if you want to know more, the following is completely spoiler-free.
Following Bruce Wayne’s (Robert Pattinson) “two years of nights” as Batman, patrolling the streets of Gotham and striking fear into the hearts of criminals, The Batman picks up. However, it isn’t having the desired effect, and things are, if anything, becoming worse. As cruel killer Edward Nashton (Paul Dano), alias the Riddler, begins to target Gotham’s elite, things are about to get a lot worse. The Riddler also leaves cryptic clues for Batman, leading him into the city’s dark underground, which is populated by characters such as Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) and Carmine Falcone (John Turturro).
Can Batman uncover the Riddler’s ultimate plot for Gotham before it’s too late as the probe becomes more personal?
We don’t want to delve into too many specifics because Reeves does an excellent job of immersing you in Batman’s universe. Whereas earlier Batman films would cut away to show the villains doing villainous things, you’ll be right there with Batman as each clue and riddle is solved.
This embrace of the character extends to Batman himself. Robert Pattinson spends the most of his DC debut as the vigilante, rather than Bruce Wayne. His Bruce is preoccupied with his alter-ego, oblivious to how his emotions drive what he does and how this manifests itself in his merciless takedowns of any criminal that crosses his path.
Spending so much time in the Batsuit adds to Pattinson’s difficulty, as he needs to rely heavily on his body language. He rises to the occasion with a commanding performance, and you never question that this is a Batman who the bad guys will truly dread. Any doubts you may have had will be dispelled quickly.