MARCUS CHEONG watches Robert Pattinson’s debut as Batman in the latest DC reboot…
The Batman (AU – M/UK – 15/US – PG-13)
In A Word: Gloomy
Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle and Robert Pattinson as Batman in The Batman, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. PICTURE: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics/© 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
In the last three decades there have been nearly a dozen Batman films. These include the gothic Tim Burton classics, the campy Schumacher attempts, the hilarious animated LEGO variant and the gritty Christopher Nolan trilogy. Recently, there was the failed Ben Affleck incarnation that has led to the latest reboot with Matt Reeves directing Robert Pattinson as The Batman.
“This film is, for the most part, a film noir detective story with spurts of action sprinkled throughout the three hour running time.”
Gotham City is ravaged by crime, corruption and a wave of drug addiction. In the midst of this gloom, The Batman has become a symbol of fear and vengeance to deter crime. However it seems to have the opposite effect when a twisted serial killer, The Riddler, leaves a trail of bodies, each with cryptic clues addressed to The Batman.
The “World’s Greatest Detective” must solve the puzzles and unravel the mystery to uncover the truth about Gotham City that takes Batman deep into the criminal empire run by The Penguin (Colin Farrell) and mob boss Carmine Falcone (John Turturro). There he forges an uneasy and flirtatious alliance with Catwoman, Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz), who has her own agenda in the underworld.
This film is, for the most part, a film noir detective story with spurts of action sprinkled throughout the three hour running time. Curiously the film garners a PG rating in the US but more accurately is classified as M in Australia. The grotesque murders have more in common with Se7en and Saw than a Saturday morning cartoon. The mood is oppressive and the violence is brutal, whether it be Batman’s martial arts, The Riddler dismembering of victims or a crime lord strangling a woman with his bare hands.
For those that can accept the dark tone, there is much to appreciate in this ultra-realistic reinterpretation of iconic comic book characters. Matt Reeves has elevated the Riddler from a B-grade villain to a fearsome, top tier threat inspired by the Zodiac killer. The intricate puzzles have satisfying answers and we witness a fascinating battle of wits that delves deep into the history and psyche of both hero and nemesis. The chemistry between Pattinson and Kravitz is electric, whether they be locked in combat, staring breathlessly into each others eyes or quipping one liners at each other.
There are bold casting choices which include the first on screen portrayal of Jim Gordon by an actor of colour, Jeffrey Wright. Colin Farrell is almost unrecognisable as The Penguin and Andy Serkis presents a tough new Alfred Pennyworth. Most importantly, Robert Pattinson captures the brooding, tortured Bruce Wayne who is believable both in an out of the bat costume.
The Batman of this reboot is raw, relentless and a little naive. Thankfully, this is not another origin story, rather it is about a hero discovering his identity. From the opening scenes, The Batman is force of vengeance and it is only when he faces The Riddler and Catwoman that he is able to understand that revenge only perpetuates violence, hate and chaos in the world.
The Batman was merely a violent vigilante at the start of the story, but he realises as the film unfolds that a hero must channel pain into strength, endurance and sacrifice. Only then can The Batman transform into the symbol of hope that Gotham City needs.
