This movie is a lot better than I expected. I loved it. This is Batman. He scares the crap out of criminals even when he is not there physically and he is the world's greatest detective. The movie doesn't have a lot of bigger than life action scenes, but it does have more subtle moments. We go through the mystery with Batman as he tries to put the pieces of the puzzle together. And yes, I loved the mystery as well. The only thing I didn't love is Bruce Wayne and the third act. But all in all, it was an excellent movie. An excellent Batman year 2 movie. And I can't wait for this movie to get a sequel.
I am a Marvel fan and although I love Wonder Woman I usually don't watch DC movies in theater. But this is Robert Pattinson as Batman so in honor of the days that I loved Twilight I went to see this movie in theaters. And make no mistake, this is one of the reasons why Robert Pattinson was cast as Batman. To bring more women into theaters because DC movie going demographics tends to be mostly male, while Marvel movies tend to be more of 50/50 situation. It still didn't work. 67% of the moviegoers opening weekend were male, despite at all of the online comments suggesting otherwise. Still, Robert Pattinson is also an amazing actor and he was a perfect Batman.
I too was worried about how Pattinson will be as Batman, but he was perfect. I have never seen so much eye acting. You can literally read the emotions in his eyes. Which is great because the only thing you can see when he is wearing the suit is his eyes. Also, he does have a face that goes great with the mask, and by face I mean jawline. Jawline is an important feature of Batman. His Batman is perfect. He pretends to have more confidence than he has and you can tell when he has it, and when he is faking it. You can see it in his eyes and in the way that he moves and his voice. He has some experience as Batman, but he is still new and makes mistakes. This is not the seasoned Batman that we know from most movies and it is great to watch something different. But luckily, this is not an origin story either. Pattinson brings a version of Batman that we have never seen before to the big screen.
There is actually very little Bruce Wayne in this movie. Everyone knows that Batman is the real persona and Bruce Wayne is the mask. But this Batman is only starting to learn why he needs Bruce Wayne in this movie so he doesn't let him out much. Bruce Wayne is not the fun playboy we learned to know at all. He is the eccentric billionaire that feels more realistic and yet a bit too far away from what we know of the character. I am not sure how I feel about this interpretation of Bruce Wayne. But there are plenty of other things in this movie that are perfect that will distract you from this.
The Batman Rogues Gallery is the best out there and this movie makes some interesting choices about who they choose to focus on. I am talking about the The Riddler. Paul Dano was brilliant in this role. He wasn't the over the top Riddle that Jim Carrey was, he is a very very realistic version of The Riddler. So realistic that you will start wondering about the political commentary that this character has on our own society. His acting is brilliant, the way the character is written and designed are just so interesting and compelling. Zoë Kravitz also did a brilliant job as a very realistic Catwoman. She was great, but there was no chemistry between her and Pattinson which hurt a bit. Catwoman and Batman should have amazing chemistry together, not just as friends and partners. Colin Farrell was brilliant and unrecognizable as the Penguin. Everyone else were alright, but didn't make much of an impression. Still, this movie shows a lot of Batman Rogues Gallery for a movie, which is surprising. And makes you think promising things about the future.
You have some good guys too. Mainly, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Batman's trusted Butler and personal trainer in this version. And Jeffrey Wright as detective Jim Gordon before he became Commissioner Gordon. Serkis doesn't get a lot of screen time at all. We hardly get to see his relationship with Bruce, they just talk about it. We see more of Wright, but we never get to see why he trusts Batman so much, even though we know that he is right to trust him. Still, Wright makes much more of an impression, you can see why he will get that promotion. Gordon leaves an impression on everyone. Everyone else is part of the corrupt Gotham.
Gotham is so corrupt that Batman can't save it. Not really. So Riddler decides to save it in his own sick and twisted way. Batman has to solve his Riddlers as well the Riddler that is the Riddler himself. Which showcases his detective skills in ways we have no seen yet on the big screen. It is called DC for Detective Comics and Batman is the model character for that. It is such an interesting change to see it.
Also, I have to mention the amazing score that Michael Giacchino composed for this movie. After you will see this movie, you will understand. It both pays homage to old Batman music and familiar sounds, while also creating something new and compelling. It is magnificent.
There is only one place the movie falters and that is the ending. The third act is just unnecessary. It feels like the movie should have ended at a certain point and it just keeps going. The movie could have been perfect in my opinion without it or a much shorter version of it. It makes this movie feel long, but the more I think about it, the more I see the point of it, or at least how it contributes to the Batman character and his personal development as a character. Plus, it does have some very unpleasant commentary about our society with a subtle hint to actual not so long ago historical events. Other than that I think that the script for this movie is sharp and perfect.
So yeah, I loved this movie. Prepare yourself for a Batman thrilling ride that you have never experienced before. A new and exciting take on Batman that is worth your time and is splendid enough that you have to see it on the big screen.
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