The Batman: Bop or Flop?

Was The Batman a hit? How does it stand out compared to its predecessors?

CNN

Action/Adventure, 2 hr 56 min, PG-13

Released: March 4, 2022

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Paul Dano

Director: Matt Reeves

What’s it about? Batman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85% | IMDb Score: 8.4/10

Bop or Flop? *SPOILERS AHEAD*

Bop. The vampire has finally become the bat. As a friend put it, "Robert Pattinson was once for the girls, now he is for the guys" (unless you were team Edward all along). He really was a vampire through and through. His skin was pale, he was basically nocturnal, with his shades on during the day, and of course, his bat layer being in a cave.

New York Post

As far as acting, I never doubted Robert. He played a more gothic Bruce than what fans are used to, but it made sense with this version of Batman. However, his dark demeanor does makes it easier to figure out his identity. Without player Bruce, it isn't absurd to believe that Bruce could actually be a black-caped vigilante roaming through Gotham's streets.

Robert's colleagues ate their roles as well. Paul Dano was disturbing as the Riddler. I don't even want to know what the Joker is capable of if the Riddler was causing so much mayhem in this first film. Makeup slayed on Colin Farrell because he was unrecognizable as The Penguin. Zoë's Catwoman was a subtle sexy, though she was still a caring cat lady at heart. Her plot line was interesting.

Seeing this film in IMAX was the ultimate experience. You could feel everything more intensely. When Batman is punching the bad guy, you feel his strength. When Batman is chasing the villain, you feel chased.

The score is haunting and fits the tone of the movie perfectly. The cinematography is sickening. There were incredible shots in this film, including the car on fire and Batman leading civilians through the flooded stadium.

Also, the movie was funnier than people gave it credit for. Though the Riddler was sick, his relationship with Batman was comical. On a deeper note, The Riddler and Batman had very similar backgrounds. It challenges you to think about how much a person's privilege/lack of opportunity factors in to their life choices.

Den of Geek

Along with this being a more goth telling of Batman, this version of the beloved superhero allows us to see his true detective side. He was kind of a stalker, actually - and a literal police aid!

Though I must say -- Robert Pattinson looks better than any of his predecessors in the bat suit.

Overall, I loved the film, but I can admit it was slightly disturbing and a little too long. Still it was very good. Its themes were timely with the things we see in the news and social media today between the ceaseless exposure of corrupt politicians and the rise of incels.

I like how we learn about Bruce's background through parallels of the mayor's murder. The Riddler had everybody's tea!

Once Batman visited the Riddler in prison and he had another scheme, I was tired! How much more can Gotham take? And poor Bruce, paying for the sins of his father, in addition to finding out who may have murdered him. Then, finding out Falcone was not only the prime suspect in Thomas Wayne's murder, but father to Selena Kyle and the killer of her mother, in addition to all the police working for him under the Gotham Renewal Plan. Is nothing sacred in Gotham?!

I appreciate how everything was connected but whew! Maybe Selena was right when she said Gotham will never change, and maybe Bruce should've ran away with her... I would have.

The Hollywood Reporter

But we know that Bruce will never leave his city, as musty and crime infested as it is. Both Bruce and Batman's privilege were addressed more so now than any film before it. Bruce saw that his quest for vengeance was inspiring his villains and decided to change his motto. Both Batman and Bruce Wayne can do better, and perchance will in the next film. May this be the begging of a long conversation on White saviorism in superhero/vigilante complex? Hopefully.

This is my favorite Batman beginning so far. Though, I'm not sure how the next one will fair with The Dark Knight, which remains the best Batman film of all time.

The Batman is now streaming on HBO Max.

Emelah’s Score: 🎥 🎥 🎥 🎥