Directed by: Matt Reeves
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano
Matt Reeves' vision of the Caped Crusader clocks in at just under three hours, yet there is little fat on it. The Batman fits a lot of moving parts and characters into a story constructed in ways Agatha Christie would be proud. High-profile Gotham politicians and power-moguls are being offed one by one by the evil and sadistic Riddler (Dano) and taunting Batman (Pattinson) with clues to dig further into Gotham's seedy and corrupt past.
Batman is aided by Deputy Commissioner Gordon (Wright) in the quest to determine why and how the Riddler is tied to these events. Shadowy characters and the criminal element are implicated, but that is to be expected. The Riddler is angrier with, and takes his rage out on, the supposedly honest Gotham mayor and DA who turn a blind eye to injustice, something Batman would never do. Small-time thief Selena Kyle (Kravitz) aka Catwoman is also involved on the periphery, but how? One of the many strengths of The Batman is how the central mystery keeps us involved.
Pattinson is no stranger to roles and movies which operate in the gray areas and shadows of life. In this context, Batman/Bruce Wayne is a near-perfect fit. His Bruce Wayne/Batman is someone who believes in black and white, but must learn to live in the gray if he is to survive. Pattinson is as able and convincing in the physical demands of the role as well including the pronounced chin. The Batman is chock full of strong supporting work all around.
The Gotham of The Batman is not unlike the other Gothams of Batmans past. It is gray, rainy, and wet. So much so you would think it would be as flooded as the Miami of last year's Reminiscence. The Batman is never dreary, but some sun once in a while wouldn't be a bad thing.
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