The Batman: The best bat movie

The Batman is my favorite Batman movie, and I loved Nolan’s. Big time. Robert Patterson does the unthinkable and manages to portray a three dimensional Bruce Wayne instead of a dude dressed in black. Minus all the crappy playboy crap that has always irritated me.

Mat Reeves has been one of my favourite directors ever since the last two Planet of the Apes. His attention to detail and wide-angle shots captivate me. And he does the same here. His version of Gotham is absolutely stunning and looks like it was heavily influenced by the Asylum video games.

Michael Giacchino lays down a music score that probably has Hans Zimmerman weeping in a very Nirvana-centric tone. I say that because Something’s in the Way was perfectly used here.

What we get with Paterson’s Batman is a Bruce Wayne that is broken from what has happened in his past. He is a real person, not just THE Batman. His pain is almost palpable too. If they ever had an Oscar category for the use of your eyes alone, he’d win it. He is Bruce Wayne with the suit, and of course without. Which is quite different to the other takes on him. He’s also bloody violent, beating the snot out of people who he deems to be in need of some ‘vengeance.’ He knows he isn’t able to be everywhere at once, so he allows for fear to fester in the minds of criminals. ‘Is Batman in the shadow? He might be…’

Joining him is Paul Dano as the Riddler. Hell. He is brilliant. He creates a character that I actually felt for. We also have Colin Farrell in so much makeup I actually forgot it was him playing the Joker. Indeed, his performance is so enticing he’s been given his own damn limited series now!

I was also very impressed with Zoë Kravitz as Cat woman. The chemistry between the two worked very well. But that is what this movie offers. Excellent acting. Jeffrey Wright, Barry Keoghan and Andy Serkis all put in superb performances.

So why is it good?

Well The Batman digs deep into a more realistic Bat. Gone are some of the more ridiculous gadgets that we have seen. The humour is also dumbed down quite a bit. There are a few moments of levity, but this is a serious movie, with serious themes of betrayal, and vindication. It’s also nice that for once Bruce Wayne isn’t doing the whole Playboy cover. Something that has always irked me.

Also, car chase. The car chase in The Batman is one of the most exciting chases you’re likely to see this year. Hell, it’s up there with the greats like Bullet!

Hammer time!

I was asked to weigh in on this review as got to see it for my birthday. I don’t go to movies often seeing how filling one’s car is still cheaper than having a movie with your coke and popcorn.

So, is it any good? Yes, it is. Probably one of the best action/thrillers I’ve seen in a long time. Batman is just the icing on top. I was apprehensive that the movie would be too long (175minutes? Hold my ring Frodo) but it flew by. It’s all down to brilliant casting. Pattison has really matured as an actor since the days of glittering like a disco ball in Twilight. Opposite him we have Paul Dano as the Riddler who challenges Batman mentally.

Reeves mentions he took inspiration for Bruce Wayne from Kurt Cobain the Riddler from the Zodiac Killer which works out brilliantly. I had me reservations about picking the Riddler as the main villain, but he’s a terrifying killer with wits to match. Everyone fits in their parts so well from commissioner Gordon and Catwoman to an unrecognizable Colling Farrel as the Penguin. Except maybe for John Turturro as Falcone. But to each his own.

This is one of those dark movies everyone always complains about, but it works so well. Gone is the playboy that goes swimming with models. Instead, we have a brooding vigilante that’s been two years at it fighting crime. He even keeps a journal to help him stay sane thanks to his sleeping patterns being as irregular as Putin’s promises.

As Batman he’s a terrifying entity. Criminals are constantly checking the shadows fleeing at the thought that his waiting there. But when they attack the movie kicks into another gear with the fighting scenes. Gone are the zoomed in quick cuts from Nolan’s trilogy. Now we have something akin to the John Wick movies. You almost feel bad for the bad guys.

I pray we get a sequel or maybe even a video game. I genuinely can’t wait to see it again.