The Batman

 

Once again the caped crusader has come back to screens and audiences once again seem to be fawning and flocking to the megaplexes to see how the latest rendition stacks up against the others. The big question: is it worth it? I will offer my opinion on the positives, negatives, and overall thoughts on the film.

 

The negatives

I want to hit on my criticisms first because I want to end on a more positive note and my criticisms are limited. The most obvious criticism is that it is a long movie. The movie is almost 3 hours and with previews being added in, it is over three hours long. That is a very long time to be sitting in a seat. Did it “feel” like three hours? No. But it definitely felt like it was 2 plus hours and change. The fact that I made it through the entire showing, without using the bathroom before the end credits is a small victory that this 41 year old will gladly take.

Secondly, the third act of the movie had a couple of pieces that I just wasn’t feeling too much. I don’t want to readily dismiss it as “lazy writing” but it just seemed to just not jive together. And there seemed to be multiple endings like Lord of the Rings: Return of the King did, which took me out of the viewing experience. The endgame for the Riddler was a little lackluster for me. For someone who is characterized by his lunacy and creativity, I thought his final plan was a little vanilla.

Oh, for those expecting to see a lot of the new version of the Batmobile, don’t get your hopes up. I’m just saying. It was good while it lasted, but…..it didn’t last that long.

 

The positives

                The film is a very GOOD film. I did like the film. Part of the reason I did like the movie is mostly because of the performances of the stellar cast. The cast did a great job. Robert Pattinson became Batman. He embodied the character fully. He became “The Dark Knight” in more ways than one. He was dark, brooding, methodical, and very adept at the physicality of the role. He isn’t my “favorite” Batman but I don’t think he needed to be. He put his spin on it and it was a very good one.

                Zoe Kravitz was also very good as Selina Kyle/Catwoman. She will be compared to Michelle Pfeiffer and  while they might have played the same character technically, they are completely different. Catwoman from Batman Returns seemed to always be teetering on the edge of insanity and balanced it with her sex appeal. Zoe Kravitz’s version is far less sadistic and much more refined. Still a woman scorned but not so much unhinged.

                The rest of the supporting cast is good. Paul Dano is sinister as the Riddler. I’ve heard comparisons to Se7en and that is not accurate in my opinion. He was not scary. Creepy as hell but not scary. I like Jeffery Wright in most films/shows and this film is no different. He was a very good Jim Gordon. Andy Serkis was a very good Alfred, but unfortunately his role is not as large as I would have liked. Collin Ferrell was unrecognizable as the Penguin but if you go into this thinking you are going to see Danny DeVito redux from Batman Returns, he is not that. His version of Oswald Cobblepot is more underboss and less mastermind or aristocrat.

                The score is outstanding and definitely magnifies the depth of the film. It definitely captures the drama and gravity of the film. One commonality between all the Batman incarnations is that they have had outstanding scores. Whether it be Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, or now Michael Giacchino, they are all stellar.

Overall thoughts

I liked the movie, but I did not love the movie. And. As previously stated, that is ok. Unfortunately, people like to compare and contrast comic book movie adaptations holistically and argue which is the greatest of all time. The Batman is a good movie. In my personal opinion, it is not my favorite incarnation of the character, but the movie was still good. The cast did a good job, the story was good, and I think if there are potential sequels, Robert Pattinson is more than capable of carrying the heavy luggage.

                We are currently in a golden era of comic book films/adaptations. What Marvel has done successfully and DC has attempted to replicate is a way of elevating the world around us via the adventures of these superheroes. The real world is basically a perpetual mess and these films provide an escape from that and a small promise that morality/decency/empathy/sacrifice are possible. That’s why I believe these films are so popular. Despite the fact that some cinephiles dismiss their artistic integrity, I think they are worthy pieces of film and I think the fact that The Batman can elicit strong responses from viewers validates that fact.