Be Warned: This Is Not A Batman Movie
I must say that it is quite common for me to watch every available trailer for an upcoming film I’m interested in. For once, I broke that tradition. I gave myself the pleasure of watching the first one. And only the first one. I was right to do so.
Fear, by Oxford Languages definition, is “…an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.”
That is what I felt by watching this film. It’s safe to say that I have seen every Batman film that has been officially released. Animated as well as live action. Each and every one of them have filled me with wonder, inspiration, and light despite the protagonist being the “Dark Knight”. I felt all of this as well with Matt Reeves “The Batman”. However, until last night, no iteration of Batman has ever made me afraid.
Every Batman has always uttered and proffered to be fear or to use it as a weapon. That being their key assets may be true, but I never believed it until Robert Pattinson donned the cowl. It is evident as soon as the film fades in. The aura of it all was intense to say the least. It is there throughout the whole film. As new and intimidating as it was for me to experience this in a Batman picture, it was welcomed. At some point during the film, my God, due to constant suspense and payoff I had to take off my Apple Watch because the “breathe” alert kept going off.
I assure you that his was not all Roberts doing. I’ve never seen such a cast put together for a hero film quite like that. Such a band of thespians giving it their all for a film like this. From Zoe’s take as Catwoman (which is now my second favorite after Eartha Kitt) to Paul Dano as The Riddler (who seemed to be the product of Jim Carey’s iteration of The Riddler and Kevin Spaceys take as John Doe in “Se7en” wrapped in one). Both who brought in a new light for the characters and showed a new path on which they could be taken. Not to mention John Turturro as “Carmine Falcone”, Collin Farrell as “Penguin” and the never disappointing Jeffrey Wright as “Jim Gordon”. With elements taken from “Year One” by Frank Miller as well as “The Long Halloween” by Jeph Loeb, Matt Reeves truly brings to life what Batman is. A determined, fallible, stubborn, man child with the pungent smell of parental issues who wallows in a city as sick as him. Yet within that sickness, I saw potential of redemption.
Not to mention the works of the crew and beyond. It’s clear as day that this was a passion project for everyone on board. Grieg Fraser cinematically brought everything that the Nolan series missed in order to be perfect. Raw and refined. That’s all I can say about it. Not to mention the composition (which made me teary eyed consistently throughout the film) by none other than Michael Giacchino, who also did the scores for “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, “Super 8”, and “Star Wars: Rogue One”.
In the past, we’ve had good and great Batmen. Both in actors and stories. This, however, was the best of both. I truly cannot see anyone topping it. Ever. I am humbled and look forward to the future for when the next BatPat installment is released. Until then, I’m going to look at “vengeance” and “fear” in a whole new light. For this was the first Batman to ever truly exhibit them both. It has truly earned the title of artisan.
So once again, I’m warning you, this is not a Batman movie. This is not your standard Caped Crusader movie.
THIS is THE Batman movie. THIS is the standard from now on. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
10/10