Today’s quick review: The Batman. The Riddler (Paul Dano) shocks Gotham by killing the mayor just days before the election, the first in a series of high-profile crimes exposing corruption at the city’s highest levels. Batman (Robert Pattinson) assists Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) with the police investigation. While following the Riddler’s clues, he tangles with Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz), a cat burglar looking for answers of her own.
The Batman is a superhero crime thriller set in a new version of the DC Universe. The film delves deeper into the seedy underbelly of Gotham: the corruption of its political elite, the madness stalking its streets, and the crime bosses like Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) and the Penguin (Colin Farrell) fueling it all. New ideas, a grounded setting, and a winding mystery make The Batman a solid entry into the franchise.
The Batman takes a different approach than previous incarnations of the character. Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is very much an outsider, all but eschewing his civilian identity to spend his nights stalking the streets of Gotham. The film amplifies his outsider status in countless subtle ways, from his body language to the way the camera frames him. The result is someone who feels both more human and more alien than the average superhero.
The plot takes notes from other crime thrillers. The Riddler is reimagined as a serial killer with an agenda, and his riddles are a way of drawing Batman closer to the truth. The dynamic works surprisingly well. Each riddle deepens the mystery, while the competing agendas of Batman, Selina, The Riddler, the police, and Carmine Falcone make the situation volatile and unpredictable.
The Batman also scores points with its atmosphere and setting. Its version of Gotham is a sordid place where suffering is rampant and secrets lurk around every corner. Despite Bruce’s vigilante crusade, crime rates have continued to soar, and his father’s philanthropic legacy is all but dead. The film supplements its gritty setting with attentive camerawork that shows the characters and the city in a new light.
Still, the film has a few limitations. Pattinson’s take on Batman will not suit everyone. Young, intense, and tormented, he’s still a long way from the paragon of justice seen in other media. The combat vacillates between superhero rules and something a little closer to reality, leading to odd moments where Batman comes across as too human. And while the world and plot are both handled well, there is nothing truly iconic to latch onto.
The Batman may not be the best incarnation of the character, but it is an engaging one. Fans of superhero movies, action movies, or the crime genre will find something to like. The effort it puts into its world, its characters, and its story allow it to cover a lot of ground. While The Batman may not resonate with everyone, it makes its mark on the franchise with a healthy blend of new and classic ideas. Give it a try if you’re interested.
For another crime-oriented take on Batman, try Batman Begins or The Dark Knight. For a version of the character that’s older, more accomplished, and even more isolated, try Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. For an animated superhero movie with a similar sense of mystery, try Batman: The Long Halloween or Batman: Hush.
[8.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877830/). I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a strong mystery, a rich world, and a fresh direction for the character.