Thoughts on The Batman (2022) · 4:14pm Mar 24th, 2022
Warning: This post contains spoilers, partial or whole, for The Batman (2022). Read at your own risk.
Yesterday afternoon, I went and watched the newest Batman movie. "The Batman." Directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight Detective.
I liked it. I did not *love* it, but I liked it. The movie gave me food for thought, on a few different levels, about the Batman character, and I appreciate it for that.
Why is that I don't LOVE it, the way I do movies like Tim Burton's films, or the DCAU?
Surprisingly, it's not because I think it's too dark. As a matter of fact, despite what the marketing might have one think about this movie, Pattinson's Batman is not the "darkest, grimmest" one yet.
I mean, yes, he brutally beats criminals, and is barely tolerated by anyone in the GCPD who isn't Jim Gordon... but I have to give the movie credit for doing what I felt was a smart and nuanced take on the grim brooding Batman. In many ways, the thematic core of this movie is a deconstruction of the "brooding vigilante Batman who brutalizes criminals and feared by all": the end result of Batman's terror tactics and ruthless war on crime is that he's inspired only fear in the decent people of Gotham... and inspired the exact worst sort of *other* people. The Riddler in this movie (more on him later) is a Loony Fan of Batman himself, and his murders of Gotham officials are part of his deranged, conspiracy theorist/domestic terrorist plans to "purge" a city that he believes is beyond saving. The finale of the movie - which draws heavily from the Zero Year story in the New 52 - is basically about Batman trying to stop Riddler's followers from causing a massacre, and for Bruce to abandon the "grim dark knight of vengeance" model of action in favor of becoming a protector to the people of Gotham.
A very nice through-line for this is Bruce/Batman's relationship with one of the kids orphaned by Riddler's murder spree. Early on in the film, when Bats and Gordon are going over the crime scene for the first murder (no less than Gotham's mayor!), Batman notices a crying boy being spoken to by other officers. This is the mayor's son, and the first person to find the body. Bruce is clearly discomfited by this, and Gordon nearly has to lead him away. Later in the movie, when Bruce turns out a rare public appearance at the mayor's funeral, he notices the kid up front... and when the Riddler stages a car attack on the funeral to deliver his next message, Bruce *immediately* dives to tackle the boy out of the way of the careening vehicle. And finally, in the aftermath of the climax, when Batman lights a flare to provide light for the trapped citizens of Gotham in their darkest hour, and tries to get them to follow him to a way out... the kid's the first one to accept help.
It reminds me of Red from OSP's statement about Batman. "Can you imagine this Batman comforting a scared child? If so, this is a real Batman. If not, I'm afraid you just have the Punisher in a silly hat." In many ways the thrust of this movie is sort of like, "Bruce realizes he's becoming the Punisher and chooses to stop that." In that regard, I very much appreciate that aspect of the movie.
So then, what is it that keeps me from fully committing to loving this movie?
Probably two things.
One is that the movie is definitely very, very stuffed. Perhaps even overstuffed, though I wouldn't say it's as bloated or ponderous as other comicbook movies out there. (Or at least, to give credit where credit is due, it's not as overstuffed as ASM2 or TDKRises.) This is a movie where you have Batman, Alfred, Jim Gordon, Riddler, Catwoman, Penguin, Carmine Falcone, and - very, very briefly at the end - The Joker onscreen at different points and almost all of them in major roles. (To say nothing of references to Sal Maroni, references to the Waynes, and the Arkhams too.) That's a LOT of characters, especially for a single movie. It'd be one thing in a comic book, or even a video game, but on the big screen, it does really feel like a big mashup of all sorts of elements. Especially in regard to the final act, which, in some ways, could have ended the movie at multiple points and yet it keeps going.
The other issue I have, and this is far more subjective... I was able to guess and intuit a lot of the movie's plot twists, just simply because I've read so many Batman comics I could immediately recognize the references that Matt Reeves made to a lot of different stories, and thus understand where most of (not ALL, mind you, but most of) the story was heading.
Catwoman being the illegitimate daughter of Falcone? Teased in The Long Halloween and Dark Victory comics.
Falcone having been saved by Thomas Wayne in the past? Also from The Long Halloween.
Batman's parents being murdered due to running for mayor, and Martha being a member of the Arkham family? From the "Earth One" line of comics.
The Riddler blowing up the seawall around Gotham and flooding the city as part of a plan to force the survivors to change? The big scheme of "Zero Year" in a nutshell.
(And speaking of the Riddler... while I like the "murderous conspiracy theorist" angle of the character here, and how hard the movie comes down on nutcases like QAnon and whatnot... I will also readily admit that this Riddler is really more like a three-way composite of Edward Nigma, Hush, and Lincoln March/Owlman from the New 52. Obsessive hatred of Bruce Wayne? Hush. Orphan from a crappy system who blames the Waynes for having fallen through the system? March in a nutshell. Bizarre riddles and obtuse "clues" for Batman? Eddie Nigma. Yes, this Riddler may wear a green poncho and a goofy winter mask/glasses combo, and at points that does make him hard to understand when he gets really worked up, but I can roll with most of those changes. Paul Dano's performance won't make him a favorite of mine though.)
In terms of performances in the movie, I'd definitely say that I most enjoyed three: Pattinson as the quiet, withdrawn, speaks-through-actions Batman; Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle / Catwoman (I quite liked her chemistry with Batman); and, surprisingly, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone. The dominant mob boss of Gotham brings a nice charisma and quiet sense of menace to his role, even in moments where he comes across as almost friendly. Colin Farrell (near unrecognizable under a load of makeup) adds some good hammy fun to the movie as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin. And while he won't be a favorite of mine, Andy Serkis' Alfred gets a very nice scene with Bruce at a crucial point in the movie, which I very much appreciated.
(And while I kind of roll my eyes about the Joker - or at least, the guy who clearly IS going to be Joker - appearing near the end, Barry Keoghan does a fine job there in the time he has.)
All told, I'd give this movie a solid B. Maybe a B plus. Definitely am curious to see where things might go from here, and if there's a sequel made that might trim some of these excesses and make for a more thoroughly effective Batman story.
Very impressive review. Of course, I'll have to watch it myself before making my own assessment of the film.
Glad you enjoyed it. Even if I raise an eyebrow at Riddler's costume.
5646015
I still very much prefer the green suit, though I get the gist of what the director was going for. This is the character as domestic terrorist, rather than career criminal.
That's fair, believe me.
Funnily enough, the movie kind-of references it. Apparently the Riddler's mask is based on an Army winter mask, apparently gotten from military surplus stores. You can actually see chat about it on one of Riddler's dark web forums at one point in the film.
5645980
Fair enough, and thank you for the compliment. ^_^
5646017
Huh. Well, that explains it. It's pure functionality with zero concern with aesthetic.
5646019
Indeed. Honestly, I'm kind of amused it took this long to piece together just what the damn thing was, but yeah, in the context of the movie, it works.
5646018
You're most welcome. Also I still prefer Jim Carrey's portrayal of the Riddler since he's so much more funnier, plus he was still a threatening presence despite his goofy nature. Furthermore Jim Carrey's Riddlet managed to figure out Batman's identity, something no other Batman has ever accomplished (none that I remember though).
5646029
I'm not a fan of Jim Carrey's Riddler, but I will say good for you that you enjoyed him. My own preference in regard to a "favorite" version of the character would probably be more along the lines of the Animated Series version of the character - though I also am a fan of Frank Gorshin's version from the Adam West show.
I'm a little hesitant to see the film, but I'm glad it's not as dark as I feared it would be.
5646100
That's quite fair. It's nowhere near as bleak as something like Joker, but I'd definitely stay it's still up there with the darkest aspects of the Nolan movies. (I will say I much preferred the stylistic and pace of Matt Reeves' direction to Christopher Nolan's, but that's just me.)
I'd probably say that the marketing for this movie is a bit misleading. I went into this film expecting something almost along the lines of a Batman-based version of Se7en, but ultimately, it does come out on more of a Ray of Hope ending.
5646089
Frank Gorshin's Riddler is quite excellent too,
I probably won't be going to see the movie, mainly cause it just didn't interest me, but I am glad you liked it.
5646518
That's fair. No criticisms here, believe me. ^_^
And yeah, all told, I am glad to have seen this one.