“Batman” (2022) / Z-View

Batman (2022)

Director:  Matt Reeves

Screenplay:  Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, based on Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, John Turturro  and Andy Serkis

Tagline:  Unmask The Truth

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

A sadistic, extremely intelligent psycho killer is murdering political figures in Gotham City.  At each murder scene, the killer who has been dubbed The Riddler, leaves a message for Batman (Pattison).  Meanwhile Selena Kyle aka Catwoman (Kravitz) is investigating the disappearance of one of her friends.  When Batman and Selena realize that their investigations overlap, they form an uneasy alliance.  As the Riddler’s body count goes up, it becomes clear that the corruption goes deep… perhaps all the way to the Wayne Foundation and Batman’s father.

The Batman doesn’t feel like a super hero movie.  Instead it plays out more like a mystery or a noir thriller.  That’s a good thing.  Even the music doesn’t scream SUPER HERO.  Let’s break it down…

The Story: I liked the story and was surprised that Bruce Wayne’s dad was shown in a different light.

Batman:  Robert Pattison makes an excellent Batman.  I liked that they played up the “strike fear into the hearts of criminals” aspect.  Criminals would hear Batman’s heavy footsteps coming closer in the dark before they could see him.  This is a more violent Batman but not (usually) excessively so.

Bruce Wayne:  The way they portrayed Bruce Wayne threw me a bit.  A times I thought he looked like a young John Cazale or  Cesare from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Having Bruce Wayne as a recluse does help to explain why he isn’t seen in public more often.

Selina Kyle aka Catwoman:  Zoë Kravitz owns this role.  She’s tiny but believable as a tough woman.  The screen loves her and she stole every scene she was in.

The Riddler:  The new take on this character is money.  He was smart, frightening and crazy.  The Zodiac Killer on steroids.  Paul Dano deserves an ovation!

The Penguin: Colin Farrell is unrecognizable under the make-up and latex, but his character doesn’t look made-up.  Farrell did a fine job.

Carmine Falcone: John Turturro was amazing.  He had the crime boss / godfather part down pat.  Turturro’s role was one of my favorite parts of the movie.

Alfred:  I like the new direction they took with Alfred.  No longer the old man with amusing quips, this is the Alfred that served as Bruce Wayne’s bodyguard and mentor from childhood to adult.  Andy Serkis nailed the part.

Jim Gordon:  Jeffrey Wright  makes a great Jim Gordon.  Wright is such an under-rated actor, I was glad to see him in The Batman.

The Batmobile:  Batman’s car didn’t look like any of the previous Batmobiles.  It looked like a built up car that could do what needed to be done.  I liked that and the fact it was never referred to as “the Batmobile.”  I also loved the scene where the criminals could hear the monstrous motor revving, before they saw it.  Again playing up the strike fear into the criminals.

The Batcave:  I loved the brief look we got at it.  All of those bats flying around was a great touch.

The Batman exceeded my expectations.  I hope the entire team returns for a sequel.  The Batman earned 4 of 5 stars.