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GOTHAM — Batman movies and I have a long relationship. We've had ups and downs, and we're about to go through yet another round.
Batman is a cinematic legend at this point and has enjoyed many iterations. Christopher Nolan reenergized the Caped Crusader with his "The Dark Knight" trilogy, and DC tried to create a cinematic universe with a new Batman in the form of Ben Affleck.
"Batman v. Superman" and "Justice League" didn't resonate like DC and Warner Bros. had hoped, and Affleck decided to hang up the cape and cowl, kind of. While he is reportedly returning for "The Flash," he isn't making a solo movie. With that news, DC found a new director in Matt Reeves and a new Batman in Robert Pattinson.
"The Batman" will open in theaters on March 4, and I have no doubt many of you are interested to see what it's like. Maybe you aren't expecting much, or maybe you can't wait to see it; either way, I think most everyone is at least curious.
I personally wasn't sure what to think of this new Batman movie as I walked into the theater. The trailers were so moody and ominous, and there were things I found promising and others I was not sold on. When I walked out of the theater, I knew I had seen a Batman movie — but I did not get what I was expecting.
Here are some reasons I really like this new take on Batman and a couple of things about it that fell flat.
What worked
This is a different kind of Batman movie
Batman movies have historically been big-budget action movies. Nolan managed to create some really solid storytelling in his trilogy, but the movies were still big on action. Things are always blowing up, new gadgets and vehicles are constantly popping up, and epic fight scenes are playing out.
"The Batman" is not this kind of movie.
At its core, "The Batman" is a film noir like "Sunset Blvd.,""Double Indemnity" and "The Third Man." The movie even starts out with a monologue narrated by our detective, Batman. This film is a murder mystery in which the protagonist is chasing a serial killer while simultaneously fleeing from his own demons.
All that isn't to say "The Batman" doesn't have action or some really well-choreographed fight scenes, but the big-budget action isn't its focus. Instead, it has a mission to let us know why Batman is known as the world's greatest detective.
Knowing this will likely be a red flag for some moviegoers, and that's fair. I think a lot of people want to see a Batman movie for the adrenaline and excitement of big action set pieces and pyrotechnics. But as someone who enjoys the slow burn and watching the mystery unravel, I appreciated what Reeves tried to accomplish with "The Batman."
Making one of the world's biggest superheroes a noir detective and not an action hero was a risky choice. It paid off for me, but it may not for you.
It deviates from Batman canon
We have seen and heard the Batman origin story so many times: the tragedy of his parents, the rough streets of Gotham, and the billionaire Bruce Wayne. I loved the way Nolan told that story in "Batman Begins," but it followed the story we all know so well. Then in "Batman v Superman," we didn't rehash that origin because we all knew it.
"The Batman" is not an origin story. When we catch up with the Dark Knight in this film, he has been patrolling the streets of Gotham for two years. We get ideas about his origin story and where he came from, but this movie took some liberties with that narrative and turned a fair amount of it on its head. It was a bit shocking, and I found myself asking, "Wait, can they do that?"
They can and they did and I liked it.
The changes gave us a new story and a different Bruce Wayne/Batman. I think the new approach will rub some the wrong way; however, with yet another reboot of the classic character, it needed some new life and blood. I think this helped.
It's a Batman movie, not a Bruce Wayne movie
Some people complained that "The Dark Knight Rises," the finale to Nolan's trilogy, had too much Bruce Wayne and not nearly enough Batman. I understand the criticism, but I think that was the balance the story needed.
Whoever had issues with not enough Batman should check out "The Batman," because Pattinson is in the cape and cowl for almost the entire run time. This is undoubtedly a Batman movie. Wayne makes his appearances, but this version casts Batman as the real persona and Bruce as the person Batman pretends to be to protect his identity.
The story sets up this duality well and makes it believable. I won't give much away, but Wayne has always been a tortured character and "The Batman" exposes that in a very real way.
What didn't work
Some moments don't seem to fit
I never thought I'd say this, but Nolan's Batman trilogy is no longer the most based-in-reality Batman movie. Nolan did a brilliant job of making it seem like a real Batman could actually exist if he had the bankroll; "The Batman" takes that to a whole new level. The gadgets are based even more in reality, the actuality of what's happening is frighteningly realistic, and Batman is most definitely not invincible.
I really liked this aspect of the movie, but this realism also created a problem at times when certain imagery pulled me out of the world being created. Because of that realistic feel, Batman felt out of place on occasion — as did a few other setups that I don't want to spoil here.
These moments are not constant, but when they happen they can be jarring. Each time, it took me a moment to get back into the movie.
It takes itself too seriously at times
Batman is a serious character. His past is dark, his life is sad despite his billions of dollars, and tragedy seems to follow him everywhere. Knowing that, I'm fine with the fact that "The Batman" isn't lighthearted and loads of "fun." But, the movie had a tendency to take itself too seriously.
I don't know that I was expecting jokes — there are very few — but I do think there were moments the brooding hero trope was taken a little too far.
When Pattinson is Batman, I think he does a really great job. He has the physicality and the vulnerability. But when he's Bruce Wayne, I think he got a little too moody. I understand what they were going for, but everything from his hair to his constant look of despair and depression was a bit much.
While there aren't many laughs in "The Batman," I'm afraid you'll find yourself chuckling a time or two at how overly dramatic a few moments are.
Should I go see it?
Despite missteps, I enjoyed "The Batman." I got caught up in the mystery and wanted to solve it as much as the characters.
There are some strong performances from John Turturro and Jeffrey Wright, and I really liked Colin Farrell as The Penguin. In fact, he may have been my favorite part. I also enjoyed Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle much more than I was planning. Her character is very interesting, and I thought she played it well.
While Pattinson did a good job as Batman, I think he and director Reeves need to go back to the drawing board on Bruce Wayne.
I would say that the movie is worth seeing, even if for no other reason than simply satisfying your curiosity. This movie is not for everyone. It will be incredibly divisive, with many enjoying it as I did and many others really hating this approach. But the only way to find out which camp you sit in is to go see it.
Make sure to check back for Dave Clyde's parents review of "The Batman," which is coming to KSL.com later this week.
"The Batman" is officially rated PG-13 for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language and some suggestive material.
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