Movie 10 of 2022
Movie: The Batman
Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens
Stars: 4
Things to know about The Batman.
It's three hours long.
It's a dark, but not as outrageously violent as some action films go.
It's beautifully shot. It's grim, gritty film noir at it's best.
There are some really good performances in there.
And it's not funny.
And it's three hours long. Could it have been half an hour shorter in length. Definitely. Though the three hours went quickly.
According to RottenTomatoes.com, "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."
That about sets it up. But this is not the Batman of the seventies, with Adam West and the na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na song. It's not the camp, fun, KAPOW, SPLAT, BOOM many of us Gen X-ers think about when we think of Batman. Nor are the baddies as stereotyped as the may other iterations of the franchise. The Riddler (Paul Dano) is basically a fucked-up sadist. The Penguin (an unrecognisable Colin Farrell) is a mob boss with his finger in every pie in Gothan City's upper echelon. Then there is Catwoman, who is not really as bad as people make her out. Zoe Kravitz is great as Serena Kyle, giving just enough vunerability to her abused and agreived character as she cuts a swathe through the underworld. I found myself cheering for her. She also had lots of cats, so I had to like her.
I really liked Jeffrey Wright as Lt. Gordon. Jeffrey Wright is one of those character actors who make the film better (like he did as James Bond's mate Felix, or his role in The French Dispatch - great actor).
Then there is Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader. He's grim. He's a bit sulky. And he gets on with it. Personally, I think he plays to type a bit too much, but in this very bleak Batman, he's what was needed. George Clooney, Michael Keaton wouldn't cut it - too soft. Christian Bale and Ben Affleck too polite. Robert Pattinson brings a bit of grunge, which is a good thing. Then again, part of me wanted to see him have a haircut and a shower, but this wasn't the cleanest of Gotham Cities we've encountered.
Matt Reeve's direction is assured, as is the script, which wavered in parts, but was generally strong.
For me, the best thing about it all was the cinematography. Grim and gritty from the opening credits to the the final moments. It's glorious to watch.
Am I pleased I've seen this?
Yes.
Will I rush back to see it again?
No.
Oh, and did I mention that it's three hours long?
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