Rowan Bernstein ’22
Staff Writer
Graphic by Sunny Wei ‘23
If you, like me, have grown tired of watching the same kind of superhero movies in recent years, Warner Bros.’ most recent DC film, “The Batman,” might be the breath of fresh air you need. “The Batman” takes a different direction from previous DC and Batman films, functioning primarily as a noir-style mystery that showcases the caped crusader’s detective skills alongside his physical prowess.
Though it is a reboot of sorts, “The Batman” is not an origin story. Instead, director Matt Reeves relies on audiences already being familiar with the character of Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman, thanks to numerous retellings on film and television throughout the years. Though Bruce’s iconic backstory — witnessing the murder of his wealthy parents at a very young age — is often referenced and plays a role in the film’s story, it is not fully rehashed. This decision pays off. In its three hour runtime, the film rarely drags, in part thanks to the omission of this already familiar information. We are introduced to a version of Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) already in his second year as a masked vigilante, investigating a serial killer known as the Riddler (Paul Dano). Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne, too, is still learning what it means to be his city’s protector.
This interpretation of Bruce Wayne is considerably different from the playboy type seen in films like the earlier “The Dark Knight” trilogy. Rather than putting on a sociable public facing persona and brooding in private, this version of the character struggles to hide his angst, only making public appearances in his fictional home of Gotham City when absolutely necessary, such as a funeral for the mayor. As Batman, he is skilled in combat as well as deduction, directly assisting the police in investigating crime scenes. Robert Pattinson is a perfect fit for the role, nailing Bruce Wayne’s frenzied drive to solve the case at hand and stop the Riddler, even at the expense of his own health.
Batman may be a skilled detective, but Dano’s Riddler is always two steps ahead of him. As he systematically takes out corrupt police officers and politicians, he leaves greeting cards addressed to Batman, filled with clues to deeper mystery surrounding his victims, which Batman must solve before he can get to the Riddler. A far cry from earlier, more cartoonish portrayals, like Jim Carrey in “Batman Forever,” this version of the character draws inspiration from the Zodiac Killer and his use of ciphers to communicate with the police. As he lurks in the shadows and stalks his prey, The Riddler makes for a terrifying and formidable foe.
Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), is another key player in the film. Bruce first encounters her while following a clue from the Riddler, investigating a young woman who works at a nightclub where Selina is also employed. This young woman turns out to be Selina’s roommate and partner, who soon goes missing. Thanks to her job in the club — and her skills as a burglar — Catwoman is able to assist Batman in his investigation, as well as seek out her own revenge. While there is a spark of attraction between her and Bruce, Selina’s personal motivations and role in the story are well fleshed out and always take precedence over romance.
Each of these characters, along with supporting figures like police commissioner James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright), has a believable and vital connection to the plot, and every individual piece weaves together to tell a complex and engaging story supplemented by exciting action sequences.
For instance, there’s a mid-movie car chase that showcases the Batmobile’s high tech capabilities and an exciting sequence illuminated by strobing nightclub lights. The fight choreography throughout the film is impressive and exciting to watch, with up close and brutal combat visually reminiscent of video game fights.
“The Batman” also has the one thing I find most important in a superhero film: a clear love for the comics and interest in the characters as people. You don’t need to be a comic fan to enjoy the movie — I haven’t read many Batman comics myself yet — but it’s obvious that Reeves wanted to tell a story that could have come straight off of the page. This shows in the film’s sense of sincerity. Rather than wink and nod about the silliness of costumed vigilantes, the film treats its characters and their stories as worth taking seriously. There is plenty of comedy, but it never overshadows the story’s earnestness, and that is why it works.