Matt Reeves Absolutely Delivers with “The Batman” [Review]

Yes, we know- another nerd site, another review of “The Batman.” But, this is one of those pop culture films that should be talked about. Director Matt Reeves‘ absolutely delivered with this heavily noir influenced detective story, which just happens to have the Dark Knight as a key player.

A lot will be written about Robert Pattinson as an unlikely choice for Batman, but he works well here. This is a world where the capped crusader has been doing his thing in Gotham for over two years. Detective Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) already trusts him, and the bat signal is already established. There is something so nice about not having to sit through another hour of an origin story we know almost by heart.

Sure, we get flashbacks of the Waynes- Thomas (Luke Roberts) was running for Mayor when he was killed, Martha née Arkham (Stella Stocker) was in and out of mental institutions after witnessing her mother brutally murder her father. So, obviously, a departure from previous depictions of Bruce Wayne’s parents. Alfred (Andy Serkis) is almost an afterthought, though. Yes, he’s around in the Bat Cave- which oddly enough resembles Lex Luthor’s “Superman” lair– but just seems misused here.

A lot will be written about Robert Pattinson as an unlikely choice for Batman, but he works well here. This is a world where the capped crusader has been doing his thing in Gotham for over two years. Detective Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) already trusts him, and the bat signal is already established. There is something so nice about not having to sit through another hour of an origin story we know almost by heart.

Sure, we get flashbacks of the Waynes- Thomas (Luke Roberts) was running for Mayor when he was killed, Martha née Arkham (Stella Stocker) was in and out of mental institutions after witnessing her mother brutally murder her father. So, obviously, a departure from previous depictions of Bruce Wayne’s parents. Alfred (Andy Serkis) is almost an afterthought, though. Yes, he’s around in the Bat Cave- which oddly enough resembles Lex Luthor’s “Superman” lair– but just seems misused here.

This Gotham is an established Gotham. A city with problems, a city with it’s own heartbeat. The grime of years of organized crime are front and center. Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) is a key player, as is Penguin (Colin Farrell). If there’s one big takeaway from this performance of a pretty unrecognizable Farrell, it’s that his solo HBO Max series is going to be fascinating.

Riddler (Paul Dano) is, as surmised, pretty much an incel take on the Zodiac killer. A young man who enlists fringe like-minded people via the internet to bring chaos to Gotham. There are guns. There is a plot to kill thousands. There are puzzles, riddles, and cyphers to whet the appetite of a Riddler purist. This is probably the most sinister the character has ever been. His motivations are a little muddled, though Dano says Riddler shares trauma as his motivation.

Catwoman (Zöe Kravitz) works well in this iteration. She’s used to this world, has learned how to survive. She’s not as established as Batman is yet, but, is a perfect character introduction.

We’ll remind you again that this is a long film. Clocking in at 2 hours and 56 minutes, it doesn’t have the same frantic pace as previous Batman films. It focuses on the noir detective aspect, which is not only refreshing, but absolutely works. This Batman isn’t bogged down by high tech toys- although his special contacts and injectable adrenalin aren’t exactly low tech- and his vehicles are more barebones. Yes, even with a jet-engine powered Batmobile; which may actually be my favorite of the Batman cinematic cars now.

There is a surprise cameo, and we’re pretty proud of everyone for not spoiling it yet. We won’t either. Also, YES there is an end credits tag, but…you may feel disappointed after staying for it.

Highly suggest seeing this in a theater with good audio, especially for the car chase. Worth it, absolutely worth it.

“The Batman” opens in theaters everywhere March 4th, 2022.