Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz and Paul Dano
‘A Breathtaking Blockbuster’
Few actors in Hollywood gained recognition of Robert Pattinson. Since his rise to fame during the 2000’s, Pattinson has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s caped crusaders, disastrous lovers or vampires, Pattinson has played many strong characters. Pattinson’s strength as an actor has always been his bravery. He’s one of those actors that has never been afraid to take on risky roles which require a certain degree of commitment. Pattinson has created an image of being an actor which picks his movies wisely with courage. Through his capability to portray characters that are compelling, Pattinson has become a star that audiences value. Shining a bright light in pitch-black darkness, Pattinson has become one of the most beloved actors in the entertainment business. Although is arguably most famous for his role in the Twilight franchise, Pattinson has made several unforgettable movies throughout his career. Throughout a bold career, Pattinson has made many memorable films that are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Pattinson and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The Batman” is definitely his best film. Ever since its release in 2022, Robert Pattinson’s movie has stood the test of time as a comic-book classic. Packed with engaging action, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comic-book movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance from Robert Pattinson. In one of his greatest roles, Pattinson embodies one of the most beloved superheroes in comic-book history. Ultimately, what makes “The Batman” a comic-book masterpiece is its message. The movie delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. A riveting comic-book masterpiece, there are countless strong reasons why “The Batman” is a movie which is definitely worth watching.
Based on the comic-books, “The Batman” tells the story of the caped crusader embarking on a dark journey to find identity. Robert Pattinson portrays Bruce Wayne, a tormented billionaire that carries a painful burden to bear. Bruce is a tormented person haunted by memories of his past trauma. To cope with trauma, Bruce unleashed his alter-ego of Batman to combat crime in Gotham City. Bruce has preferred to always keep his identity of Batman as a secret. However, Bruce’s life forever changes when he faces the threatening villain the Riddler (Paul Dano). The Riddler is a deadly serial killer that commits shocking crimes putting the future of Gotham City in danger. Faced with a dilemma, Bruce questions whether he will ever be able to deal with past trauma. As Gotham City’s future is put in grave danger, Batman must summon the courage to discover his identity in a tense scenario where the odds are clearly stacked against his favour.
Matt Reeves is a newcomer towards Batman. Before he directed “The Batman”, Reeves had never made a comic-book movie in his career before. Reeves was famous for his directorial work on the Planet of the Apes franchise. With “The Batman”, however, Reeves made his first comic-book blockbuster. It was the director’s first attempt to reimagine the caped crusader from a dark gothic perspective, but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Reeves captures a superhero embarking upon a journey to solve crime in a downtrodden city. Visually, the movie is a gorgeous feast for the eyes. Reeves effectively uses low-key lighting to capture the dark atmosphere of a superhero solving murders which are frightening. Taking inspiration from David Fincher’s “Se7en”, the filmmaker effectively uses low-key lighting to capture a detective investigating serial killer murders which are frightening. For instance, low-key lighting enhances the murder crime scene. During this intense scene, Batman is driven to investigate a murder committed by the Riddler with Gordon. One appreciates low-key lighting capturing a superhero inspecting murders that are terrifying. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique to use in comic-book films. As David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” demonstrated, low-key lighting elevates literary adaptations. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Reeves honours a hero that investigates murders which prove to be terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “The Batman” which is worth discussing is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Batman films ever made. Reeves deftly uses cross-cutting to stage thrilling action sequences capturing a superhero which is appealing. For instance, the cross-cutting enhances the Penguin chase scene. During this unforgettable scene, the Batman chases the Penguin in his car in an intense situation. One acknowledges cross-cutting capturing a superhero seeking to catch a serial killer that is frightening. Through the cross-cutting, Matt Reeves celebrates a superhero that has built a legacy which is lasting. Moreover, the musical score is fantastic. Michael Giacchino’s music is integral to the success of the movies. It gives the movie a dark atmosphere capturing a city riddled with crime that faces despair. Through amazing production-design, Reeves captures a superhero seeking to resolve crime in a city facing decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Batman” is a comic-book film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses voice-over narration to convey a troubled superhero reflecting on a decaying state of his doomed city. Reeves’ screenwriting strength is his ability to capture a superhero reflecting on his city’s destruction by voice-over narration. Inspired with Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver”, Reeves effectively uses meaningful voice over narration to capture a superhero reflecting on his life with terror. Throughout the film, Bruce Wayne expresses his pessimistic worldviews on the world employing meaningful narration. For instance, voice-over narration enhances the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, The Batman reflects on his worldviews on his decaying city facing destruction using meaningful narration. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to employ in movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” did suggest clearly, voice-over narration elevates movies about prison redemption. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Reeves celebrated an iconic superhero today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Robert Pattinson delivers one of his greatest performances as The Batman. Pattinson first earned appreciation for playing vampires in literature adaptations. With “The Batman”, however, he took on his first comic book role. It’s not easy to embody the personality of a legendary superhero in comic-book history, but Pattinson succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and utterly menacing in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the anger, determination and grief of a hero seeking to solve crime in a city experiencing corruption. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors that’s working in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of recognition. Jeffrey Wright is truly superb, capturing determination of a brave police-officer seeking to solve crimes taking place at night that are a shocking sight. Zoe Kravitz is fantastic, bringing humanity toward Catwoman proving there’s room for women to shine in a male-dominated comic book genre. Lastly, Paul Dano is phenomenal. As the dark villain the Riddler, Dano captures the psychotic nature of a serial killer.
Finally, “The Batman” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing a menacing nature of the Batman. Unlike most comic-book films, it tackles commemorated themes which everyone will relate to. The movie discusses powerful topics including identity, heroism and terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be long-time fans of the caped crusader to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message about consequences of childhood trauma which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Batman” is one of those rare commemorated comic-book movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Robert Pattinson will definitely enjoy “The Batman” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A fantastic comic-book masterpiece, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 60 years following the groundbreaking introduction of an iconic comic-book character seeking to fight frightening villains solving crimes in a city which is terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has gained a huge following earning worldwide recognition for his abilities to portray characters that are compelling whose commemorated movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 