The Batman

I think, from a personal level, that first glimpse we got of The Batman in 'that' trailer made from the first few minutes of filmed footage was one of the most exciting film trailers I’d seen. The mood, the music and the all-pervasive darkness just screamed ‘masterpiece.’

It’s been an agonising wait to get the full, three hour film but it’s finally with us. I don’t think anything could ever live up to that intensity of hype but it gets pretty damn close I’m delighted to say.

I was asked a few questions by the BBC about my expectations for the film on release day so, perhaps, it’s best to answer those for anyone interested considering it’s a film that nigh-on everyone will go to see anyway.

Is it worth the long runtime? Much like with subtitled films, it’s extremely aggravating that something like length would be enough to ‘put off’ someone from seeing a film. Whilst some films can have superfluous scenes and feel long more often than not a longer film will earn the runtime and flesh out the story.

The Batman is certainly the latter, more time spent in this world is definitely a good thing and whilst the story doesn’t quite have as many twists, turns or shocks as it perhaps should given the length, it does not drag at all and, crucially, allows more time to sink into the psyche of the Batman. This is a much deeper dive into Bruce Wayne than we’ve seen in live action film before and, for me, the correct way to go after Nolan’s version of the character.

Is Robert Pattinson the best Batman? For me, absolutely. Whilst at least one of the Nolan films is superior (we’ll get to that) this is the best version of Bruce and Batman we’ve seen, in everything from the look and feel to the script and Rorschach-like voiceover which, whilst a tad cliché and emo, fits the mood of the piece well.

Pattinson is a masterful actor and can do so much with just a look. He truly IS this version of Bruce; the more reclusive, angry, vengeful character we got in some of the animated series and the earlier-set graphic novels. Ben Affleck’s older version (modelled off The Dark Knight Returns) and Christian Bale’s more ‘bachelor’-like version are both brilliant but Pattinson’s has more depth.

Is it the best Batman film? Ok, here’s the rub. Matt Reeves gives us by far the best version of the character and, also, the best version of the city of Gotham we’ve seen on screen. It’s an eye-searingly beautiful film in cinematography and location. Yes, it’s a tad dark and perhaps could do with a Watchmen-esque splash of colour here and there to hit some more comic book buttons but much like the Gotham TV show this feels like a lived-in location, a playground that simply has to be given the sequel treatment it deserves to better explore.

Having said that, the story doesn’t quite thrill, excite and live in the memory like that in The Dark Knight. Nolan’s trilogy is one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time and that middle-parter just refuses to budge. This tries to emulate it but the set pieces aren’t quite as strong.

The three picks from the rogue’s gallery here are really interesting versions: both Zoe Kravitz and Colin Farrell will surely return as there's a lot more to come from Catwoman and Penguin respectively but it’s Paul Dano’s Riddler who stands out as a really unique take on this character (pretty much as far away from Jim Carrey’s admittedly great version). He’s menacing and very much in keeping with the current age of social media but it does feel a little like his plan perhaps would have fitted the Joker more and there’s a bit of a lack of motive with a backstory not fully fleshed-out.

So, the final verdict. An absorbing, beautiful, incredibly-soundtracked version of, arguably, the all time best character on page or screen but just slightly let down by a plot that doesn’t quite stick in the mind or drop a big reveal. However, if we get a sequel and if the Joker film is in any way linked to this, we could be due a film that might knock The Dark Knight off its perch.

4 stars ****