Anne Reyna ‘23
Staff Writer
Welcome to your spoiler-free movie review of The Batman brought to you by Law Weekly’s official part-time volunteer movie critic enthusiast. Are you looking for a high-budget grunge vigilante film that unfortunately won’t cure your existential dread but instead add to it—all while taking three hours of your day? Then wow, have I got the film for you. The Batman has everything you could ask for in a comic book film. It had riddles, crazy action sequences, a vintage batmobile, cops with mustaches, Zoë Kravitz, and, of course, a young goth Bruce Wayne that no one asked for, but we all needed. So, let’s dive right into it. This review will not only offer entirely subjective and biased personal opinions, but it will also censor any opinions I find contrary to my own.
Riddle me this. What happens when you have a director who not only understands and appreciates the source material, but also is able to provide a fresh new take on a historically famous character? You get the best comic book film of all time. Our reimagined Dark Knight was full of surprises and is not your typical Batman film. Although we have been promised a ‘darker and grittier’ Batman time and time again, director and visionary Matt Reeves actually delivered. “Reeves’ The Batman feels so different from its predecessors, and part of that is due to his choices with Bruce Wayne. I feel like it’s more of a crime thriller than it was a superhero movie. I really enjoyed this interpretation and can’t wait for the HBO Max Penguin spin-off,”[1] said Law School affiliate and popular movie blogger, Delaney Granberry.
I couldn’t have said it better. This is really the first time we’ve seen Batman’s detective skills on the big screen and witnessed him clue hunting in true Sherlock fashion. This was an epic movie of ‘firsts’ with a character whose story has been told a thousand times. With a $300 million opening box office week it looks like many people are excited about this latest Batman iteration. “I was skeptical at first because Batman is not my favorite, but I love Robert Pattinson,” said Law School affiliate and Library visionary Rebecca Hawes Owen, “I gave it 4 ½ stars out of five which is the highest rating I’ve given.”[2]
Even men enjoyed this film. Sid Goyal ’23 deemed The Batman “a masterpiece of a film” after having seen it only once.[3] Although there’s multiple reports[4] that men might try to make Robert Pattinson into the new Ryan Reynolds, I truly think this is a film for all genders.
For example, Effie Kisger ’23 had this thought-provoking insight about the film.
“There may have been 14 Batman films already, but this Batman isn’t like the other Batmans. Not only is the film immaculately shot and scored, but it delivered a performance we all deserved. From the onset, it indulges you in a twisted detective mystery fraught with chilling atrocities, cryptic clues, psychological backstory, and a young Bruce Wayne listening to Nirvana with mascara running down his face. He may not be buff, suave, and playful like Nolan’s Batman, but Reeves depiction of a much younger and inexperienced Batman grappling with his inner turmoil and barely keeping it together is likely much more relatable to audiences. Equipped with eyeliner, an emo haircut, and sunglasses to obscure his high sensitivity to daylight, Pattinson’s performance as a melancholic Caped Crusader exudes the strength of the vigilante we know and love but scraps the philanthropist playboy persona in past iterations for vulnerability and emotional complexity. Batman shines as a fledgling crime-fighter, cleaning up the corrupt Gotham streets with vengeance, brooding misanthropy, and the angst of a thirteen-year-old. He doesn’t yet know that he is the World’s Greatest Detective, but we know. He is truly our moody hero, and the ultimate sad boy. 10/10 would recommend.”
Took the words right out of my mouth.
I’ll end with this. TLDR;[5] Robert Pattinson is THE BATMAN and his performance will go down as the best Batman we have seen. The movie is gripping, beautiful, at times hilarious, and shows us the young, troubled Bruce Wayne whose story has yet to be told until now. Matt Reeves, you brilliant son of a gun, I cannot wait to see what you do next. What a time to be alive as a comic book fan and an avid moviegoer. Until next time, Mr. Wayne.
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agr5ag@virginia.edu