The Batman

For the first time in almost a decade, Batman is a part of his own standalone film and this time it is starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader. A controversial pick at first but not for
long as Pattinson brings a phenomenal performance as the scarred billionaire. The film goes back to the detective roots of the character and follows a young detective Batman. The story takes a new but interesting take on the character of not only Batman but Bruce Wayne. Instead of being the Dark Knight when the sun goes down and Bruce Wayne during the day this version of Bruce
is an isolationist, he favors Batman over his personal life and sees Batman as the only part of him that matters. Bruce is very obsessive and determined to be Batman all day every day. While this is a very new take on the usual playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne, it is a very realistic take and works extremely well. If a child watched their parents get gunned down on the streets, he realistically would be an angry and isolated person which is what this movie portrays successfully.

The story itself follows Bruce in his second year of crime-fighting where he and Jim Gordan played by Jeffery Wright are following a series of murders left by a masked figure that calls themselves ¨The Riddler¨ who works very similarly to the real-life Zodiac killer in which he leaves behind notes, clues and riddles for the police and Batman to solve. The film opens with the audience watching through binoculars as The Riddler spies on the mayor and his family. The mayor’s wife and kids begin to leave the house in which The Riddler then sneaks into the house and murders the mayor. The scene is both terrifying and hard to watch because of the Riddler’s mannerisms and the way in which he kills the Mayor. The opening scene sets up a clear dark gruesome tone for the rest of the film.

Shortly after, the film introduces Bruce Wayne, a brooding weirdo who as he claims through the opening narration ¨two years of nights have turned me into a nocturnal animal, I must choose my targets carefully it’s a big city I can’t be everywhere¨ he states in a muttered angsty voice while also explaining his use of fear as a ¨tool¨ within the city. Shortly after, the audience watches Batman’s first interaction with a group of young men about to assault an older man in an alley. The group of thugs throw the man to the ground in an attempt to rob him but start to hear large stomps, seemingly footsteps walking out of the shadows. Batman emerges from the shadows in a horror-like introductory scene. Batman viciously beats the thugs before stating to them “I am vengeance¨ after one shouts asking who he is.

This opening scene is spectacular; it is gritty, violent, and truly introduces Batman as a dominating presence in the film. Batman is very daunting and commands attention every time he is on screen which is something Pattinson and director Matt Reeves accomplish perfectly. After the opening scenes, Batman is already on his first case as he enters the mayor’s home with Gordan in search of any clues. They come across the mayor’s body with a letter attached to it reading “to the Batman” which adds to the suspicion in the room as the cops who already dislike him continue to wonder if Batman is involved in this. Gordon backs him up, but it is not enough, and he is asked to leave the mayor’s house. Batman comes back to the home later that night to continue his search and runs into Selena Kyle/ Catwomen played by Zoe Kravitz who is attempting to break into the mayor’s personal safe. Catwomen is looking for her friend who disappeared and had ties to the mayor before her disappearance. The mayor had an affair with Selina’s friend who knew too much and was snatched up in an attempt to hide any evidence. Batman and Selina conclude that they can both use each other for their own mutual gain, so they form an alliance.

Batman returns back to Wayne Tower and begins to look over his findings. Alfred interrupts telling Bruce that he has a company dinner tonight. This angers Bruce as he bursts out letting Alfred know he has no interest in attending anything. Alfred reminds Bruce that he has a family legacy to uphold, but Bruce simply shoves it aside exclaiming, “What I’m doing is my
family legacy¨. The scene gives an insight into Bruce’s home life and his rough relationship with Alfred. The next day, Batman visits the Iceberg Lounge a mob boss hangout in search of
someone who might know who is committing the murders. He encounters Ozwald Cobblepot/The Penguin who is unrecognizable as Colin Farrell. Batman chases Penguin down in an amazing car chase scene showing off the first look at this Batman Batmobile. Batman and Gordan catch Penguin who is not much help but the clues Gordan and Batman find ultimately lead them to the
city’s abandoned orphanage. The Riddler has left them a video that exposes his ultimate plan. The audience and characters learn that the Riddler is actually after Bruce Wayne. And has a deep
hatred for the Wayne family and Bruce’s father.

Bruce’s parents had hidden coverups and corruption throughout the city which had affected the Riddler who was an orphan at the Wayne orphanage as a child. Batman realizes that if he’s the next target then his home would most likely be targeted as well. He speeds home in the Batmobile but is too late as the Wayne tower is already burning in the distance. Alfred, who was caught in the explosion is in the hospital in critical condition. This opens an opportunity for Bruce to talk to Alfred where the audience gets a heart-to-heart between the two. The scene is a great emotional scene for seemingly stone-cold Bruce Wayne.

The climax of the film takes place in the Mayoral debate as a group of Riddler’s cult-like fans groups terrorize the event in an attempt to assassinate Mayor Bella Rael. Batman and Catwomen arrive and begin taking them out as Gordan brings the Mayor to safety. Batman is shot and is struggling on the ground but is too weak to get up. Batman starts to doze off until one of the Riddler’s thugs grabs Selena and begins to attack her. Batman takes a needle out of his belt and injects himself with adrenaline allowing him to get up and begin to beat the thug. Batman doesn’t stop punching until he is pulled off only realizing afterward that he almost killed the man. Batman ends the film with a different perspective on what he does. He starts the film as self-proclaimed “Vengeance” and ends the film as hope and justice.

He is a better person as he states through the ending narration: Batman closes the film with, ¨I’m starting to see now…I have had an effect here, but not the one I intended. Vengeance will not change the past, Mine or anyone else’s, I have to become more. People need hope. To know someone’s out there for them. The city’s angry. Scarred, like me, Our scars can destroy us even after the physical wounds have healed, if we survive them…they can transform us. They can give us the power to endure. And the strength to fight¨

This film not only nails Batman’s fundamentals, but it portrays exactly why the world loves the character of Batman in the first place, and it is a truly beautiful thing. But, the story is not the only part that is so great, the film is visually stunning. The cinematography is bright when it needs to be dark when it needs to be and just so gritty and real. All of the cast bring amazing performances that are never boring. The film is what most comic book-based films and all films, in general, should thrive for. Do not allow the online doubts of Robert Pattinson or anything else to stop you from experiencing a great film. A must-see 9.8/10