Matt Reeves
Writers: Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, Bill Finger
Stars: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, John Turturro Andy Serkis
When Christopher Nolan introduced us to the ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy in 2005, it was almost impossible to believe that any take on the cape crusader was going to match it, and or excel it. As a huge Batman fan when a new film was announced I was excited, and when Robert Pattinson was cast as Bruce Wayne, well like most I was skeptical. After I learnt the story would focus on the early years of the Dark Knight’s reign on Gotham, I was a little more open to see what Pattinson could bring.
Courtesy Of Warner Bros Pictures
The long-awaited Matt Reeves’ movie ‘The Batman’ is very much the violently dark, noir interpretation of the DC Comics franchise fans were hoping for. Reeves delivers a picture that mirrors the shades of ‘Seven’, ‘Zodiac, ‘Saw’ and even sometimes ‘Blade Runner’, depicting a Gotham full of crime, injustices and class divisions.
For so many doubters, including myself at one stage saying “Do we really need yet another ‘Batman’ reboot? The answer after watching Matt Reeves’ incredible ‘The Batman,’ it’s easily a resounding yes. The story of the Dark Knight has been told and retold again so many times that you might think there’s nothing left to do with this character. ‘The Batman’ though fully embraces the present, from the horror, to the action adventure and to the mystery, Reeves takes the story in a refreshing new direction and doesn’t try to clutch onto the past.
Courtesy Of Warner Bros Pictures
For this film Reeves takes us back to the “Bats” 1940s origins, in which first and foremost ‘The Batman’ has always been a neo noir detective story. We’re introduced to Bruce Wayne two years into his role as the force of vengeance in Gotham City who is helping the one policeman he trusts, Lieutenant James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright). There given the task of solving a series of murders being committed by a mysterious figure calling himself The Riddler (Paul Dano). Along the way Batman becomes entangled with crime lords Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) and Penguin (Colin Farrell), as well as entering into an uneasy partnership with nightclub worker and burglar Selina Kyle otherwise known as Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz).
Dano’s terrifying Riddler is a completely unique take on the character. Gone are the hilarious antics of Jim Carrey in tights, instead were served up a disturbed puzzle-obsessed psychopath building elaborate murder machines that mimic the Jigsaw killer John Kramer.
Courtesy Of Warner Bros Pictures
Robert Pattinson is playing a much more vulnerable, human version of the orphaned billionaire than we’ve seen before. Pattinson makes this character entirely his own. Gone is the iconic wealthy playboy, instead a dark and gloomy young man who is both compelled and crippled by his unresolved trauma. Pattinson’s performance is quite exceptional, and has definitely earned his right to wear the cowl.
As Batman delves deeper into his investigation, he lands into the orbit of cat burglar Selina Kyle, which also crafts up a subtle love story. Zoe Kravitz brings a new normality to the role of Catwoman, and she clawed past my expectations, bringing a new found slyness and sex appeal to a character that has been done so many times before.
Courtesy Of Warner Bros Pictures
‘The Batman’ is superbly shot and superbly delivered. Matt Reeves managed to make a Batman movie that’s entirely different from it’s predecessors, one that’s earned it’s self a place at the top of the iconic character’s legacy.
‘The Batman’ is in cinemas now.
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