Mar 2022
It's a wise choice to separate Batman from the rest of DC's shitty characters. The Snyder movies suck and Ben Affleck is a joke, proving that Batman works better as a standalone character. The most interesting part of Batman is that he isn't a superhero. He's simply very good at what he does, so there's no need to bog him down with magic and mysticism. He's an armored vigilante detective, and that's what this movie is all about.
From early on, I knew this movie was the type of Batman movie I wanted. Sure, the Nolan movies were great, but their version of Gotham is still pretty clean and sterile compared to the world Reeves creates. Nolan was said to have been inspired visually by Blade Runner, and while there's definitely a lot more evident Blade Runner aesthetic in Reeves' movie, I think it's safe to say he had an arguably stronger influence from Alex Proyas's The Crow. Gotham City nights are rainy, drenched in a black and orange Halloween palette.
The film begins on Halloween and lingers for a few days into November. Batman has established himself as a brooding force to be reckoned with, while Bruce Wayne is a recluse who has no time for his family business. None of the other movies tackled the idea of him being a detective, and that's who he always has been, first and foremost. Hell, he does hail from Detective Comics. He's never been so much of a detective as he was someone who conveniently cracked a vital clue on a whim. The Batman is a street-level crime noir about a Zodiac-inspired madman holding a city secret hostage while crime families get implicated. Batman gets into it with them, and a story unfolds.
It's the tone that really makes it. The film shows the underbelly of Gotham like we've never seen before. It's somber, hopeless, creepy, artsy, guerilla, and grunge at the same time. The casting proves flawless, and somehow, this movie does the unthinkable. It has a memorable score! Holy shit, Hollywood! Take a cue!
There are certain aspects of Batman mythology that are omitted. I wont point them out, but you'll notice their absence, but it wont bother you. You wont miss those aspects that can convolute the plot, because the pacing keeps you on track. It doesn't feel like 3 hours. I was waiting for a whole next act, which must mean that I didn't quite realize that I was at the end of the movie as it was ending, but maybe that's a good thing? Maybe it means Hollywood is starting to get experimental again? Maybe it means I'm dumb as shit?
One thing is for sure. This movie is an experience. There was a lot of hype over the last few years. I think people were willing to give Pattinson the benefit of the doubt, and even I wasn't sure about him once I saw the costume, but I began to love the design as I saw it in action.
Nolan's effort was a game-changer, undeniably. Once that comic-movie barrier was broken and these movies realized they could be more cinematic and less kiddie-centric, comic movies could be trusted to make both a high box office and favorable reviews. I don't think kids would understand this movie. They make toys and action figures for this demographic who probably wont stay awake throughout the whole thing, but this movie isn't made for them at all. The crew said it was pushing PG-13 to the limits, but we'd probably never notice what those limits are on account of the shit we watch. It never felt pussified though. I'm not sure an R-rated cut would have had much more of an impact than the version we got, but I certainly wouldn't oppose one. DC actually makes movies for adults, in case you've forgotten. If it's a Batman spin-off, they'll risk an R-rating, but I'm not sure we'll ever see live-action Batman himself in something greater than PG-13 because they want those youngins in the seats.
Way to go, WB. You've reinvented the same character for the dozenth time, and you STILL have my interest. Sequel? Yes please. Penguin show ordered on HBO MAX? Yes please. Collin Farrell is clearly inspired by De Palma and Scorsese crime figures, which is a great thing. Riddler was a total creep with a good twist, and Catwoman was sexy again. Anne Hathaway was completely unmemorable, so Zoe finally channeled the amazing Pfeiffer performance that everyone since has been ignoring. Alfred's there too, but he doesn't have much time to shine. Finally, the last notable character is Jeffrey Wright's Jim Gordon, who's basically as perfect of a fit for the character as Gary Oldman.
Subsequent viewings may easily confirm the idea that this movie will beat out the Nolan movies. It's Batman as he needs to be, without the Bruce Wayne subplots bogging him down. It looks like Chicago, but feels like a dream. The city really takes on a life of its own, and it's these vibes that make The Batman a great way to kill 3 hours.
From early on, I knew this movie was the type of Batman movie I wanted. Sure, the Nolan movies were great, but their version of Gotham is still pretty clean and sterile compared to the world Reeves creates. Nolan was said to have been inspired visually by Blade Runner, and while there's definitely a lot more evident Blade Runner aesthetic in Reeves' movie, I think it's safe to say he had an arguably stronger influence from Alex Proyas's The Crow. Gotham City nights are rainy, drenched in a black and orange Halloween palette.
The film begins on Halloween and lingers for a few days into November. Batman has established himself as a brooding force to be reckoned with, while Bruce Wayne is a recluse who has no time for his family business. None of the other movies tackled the idea of him being a detective, and that's who he always has been, first and foremost. Hell, he does hail from Detective Comics. He's never been so much of a detective as he was someone who conveniently cracked a vital clue on a whim. The Batman is a street-level crime noir about a Zodiac-inspired madman holding a city secret hostage while crime families get implicated. Batman gets into it with them, and a story unfolds.
It's the tone that really makes it. The film shows the underbelly of Gotham like we've never seen before. It's somber, hopeless, creepy, artsy, guerilla, and grunge at the same time. The casting proves flawless, and somehow, this movie does the unthinkable. It has a memorable score! Holy shit, Hollywood! Take a cue!
There are certain aspects of Batman mythology that are omitted. I wont point them out, but you'll notice their absence, but it wont bother you. You wont miss those aspects that can convolute the plot, because the pacing keeps you on track. It doesn't feel like 3 hours. I was waiting for a whole next act, which must mean that I didn't quite realize that I was at the end of the movie as it was ending, but maybe that's a good thing? Maybe it means Hollywood is starting to get experimental again? Maybe it means I'm dumb as shit?
One thing is for sure. This movie is an experience. There was a lot of hype over the last few years. I think people were willing to give Pattinson the benefit of the doubt, and even I wasn't sure about him once I saw the costume, but I began to love the design as I saw it in action.
Nolan's effort was a game-changer, undeniably. Once that comic-movie barrier was broken and these movies realized they could be more cinematic and less kiddie-centric, comic movies could be trusted to make both a high box office and favorable reviews. I don't think kids would understand this movie. They make toys and action figures for this demographic who probably wont stay awake throughout the whole thing, but this movie isn't made for them at all. The crew said it was pushing PG-13 to the limits, but we'd probably never notice what those limits are on account of the shit we watch. It never felt pussified though. I'm not sure an R-rated cut would have had much more of an impact than the version we got, but I certainly wouldn't oppose one. DC actually makes movies for adults, in case you've forgotten. If it's a Batman spin-off, they'll risk an R-rating, but I'm not sure we'll ever see live-action Batman himself in something greater than PG-13 because they want those youngins in the seats.
Way to go, WB. You've reinvented the same character for the dozenth time, and you STILL have my interest. Sequel? Yes please. Penguin show ordered on HBO MAX? Yes please. Collin Farrell is clearly inspired by De Palma and Scorsese crime figures, which is a great thing. Riddler was a total creep with a good twist, and Catwoman was sexy again. Anne Hathaway was completely unmemorable, so Zoe finally channeled the amazing Pfeiffer performance that everyone since has been ignoring. Alfred's there too, but he doesn't have much time to shine. Finally, the last notable character is Jeffrey Wright's Jim Gordon, who's basically as perfect of a fit for the character as Gary Oldman.
Subsequent viewings may easily confirm the idea that this movie will beat out the Nolan movies. It's Batman as he needs to be, without the Bruce Wayne subplots bogging him down. It looks like Chicago, but feels like a dream. The city really takes on a life of its own, and it's these vibes that make The Batman a great way to kill 3 hours.
A lot of Gotham was shot in UK cities like Glasgow and Liverpool which I found interesting, unlike the Nolan movies which were shot mostly in Chicago. I guess it might give it more of that dark, gothic, industrial, rain-drenched aesthetic which the director was obviously going for by the sounds of it.
Going back to the ratings, I mentioned it's a 15 over here but a PG-13 over there. By the sounds of it, it warrants its 15 certificate then. You probably already know this but our equivalent is a 12A which any kid can go with a parent but our 15 is not as lenient as your R rating. No one under 15 can watch it regardless of whether an adult is in attendance. And our 18 is basically a hard R. Still, that never stopped me from letting my kids watch certain movies of course
Oh and I didn't hate Snyder's cut of Justice League. I thought it was a vast improvement over the original. It looks incredible. I spent more time admiring its visuals then anything to do with the, well pretty dull storyline. I do agree that Affleck's Batman will always suck though.