When a serial killer dubbing himself the Riddler is killing Gotham's elite, a freshly-suited Batman must figure out the villain's plan and motivation before more and more victims are made. This is all I will talk about the plot, but the story itself has its fair share of twists and turns along with some great themes surrounding the hero and villain. Unlike previous films, this is very much a detective, film noir-inspired story rather than a typical superhero blockbuster. Don't expect any jokes or positivity in this movie, it's as dark and mature as Batman can be. However, it's surprisingly tame enough that younger viewers can watch fine, even though they might want something that has more action.
Robert Pattinson does an excellent job at becoming the titular role. While I think Ben Affleck is my personal favourite, Pattinson is great at playing the distant, tortured, and reserved vigilante and heir to Wayne Enterprises. Zoe Kravitz is a dazzling femme fetale as Catwoman, a thief who has her own agenda amidst Batman's quest. Jeffery Wright as James Gordan is as great compared to Gary Oldman as the aging authority figure who trusts Batman in his work. Paul Dino as Riddler is just perfectly over-the-top that it's both funny and creepy. Colin Farrell is fantastic as the Penguin along with the excellent make-up effects attached to him. Andy Serkis as Alfred is humble and assertive, but doesn't match Jeremy Irons's portrayal. John Turturro as Carmine Falcone is also great as the mob boss with confidence and sliminess to his name that it makes his casting even more effective. All of the cast do their best and make their interpretations of these characters work, but it's Pattinson's performance that steals the film.
Matt Reeves is a director that is slowly becoming one of the best filmmakers in this generation with this film being a great example of his talents. Gotham feels like a living, breathing, gothic city that feels like its own, rather than just being a New York City backdrop. The sets are given extreme detail and While the colour scheme is on the darker side, there is a bit of brightness that helps contrast in some of the scenes. The cinematography by Greg Fraiser is fantastic with the creative angles, tracking shots, and iconography. It's practically a comic-book coming to life. The score by Micheal Giacchino has cemented his place as a rising star in the musical scene. His theme for the Batman is memorizing with the orchestrated, gothic and heroic motifs that feels like its own and appropriate for the character. Along with using Nirvana's "Something in the Way" and "Ave Maria" as both songs and interconnected tracks into the original score, Giacchino knows how to make an atmospheric score. The visual effects are pretty solid, given the limited use of CGI. The use of the StageCraft technology is noticeable in a specific location, but it's fine given the fact that they filmed this during the pandemic. Lastly, there is the action sequences. While the fights and action feel very much like Batman with precision and brutality, it's not the most exciting action that has starred the character. This is primarily due to the film being more of a crime thriller than an action movie, but I expected a bit more scale and creativity from Reeves given the Apes movies. Still, this is very much a master-craft production that is all tied by Reeves's visionary mind.
"The Batman" is a top contender for being one of the best Batman and superhero films for years to come. Aside from the action being underwhelming, everything else is done to the highest regard. From the story, themes, tone, Pattinson's portrayal, the rest of the characters and performers attached, the cinematography by Fraiser, score by Giacchino, the effects, the stunts, the sets, and direction by Reeves, there's really not much wrong with this film aside from preferences being the obstacle. I'm looking forward to more films in this universe and can't wait to see what Reeves and the others will bring to the table.
Verdict: 9.5/10. Practically perfect if the action is more unique, but aside from that, nothing else needed to change. 2022 has started off with a banger before a third of it has even finished!
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