Review of The Batman (2022) by Clem666 — 06 Mar 2022

Clearly the Batman package and overall presentation helped this movie to be better than what it sould have been if it didn't make part of the Batman franchise.

Visually it is awesome, partially thanks to long, contemplative and uncluttered shots. Lighting is okay. First flaw to me: the environment is way too dark. I totally get that it constitute a part of the Batman's core but here it is just too much. There are se few scenes shot under the daylight. It so dark that some scenes are hard to understand, because you can't easily visualize the position of objects and characters.

Fight scenes are amazing, with some great choregraphies. I enjoyed the fact that Batman takes a lot of punches and bullets, making him seem more vulnerable, more human. Despite that fact, 'The Batman' manages to offer us spectacular scenes.

We obviously can complain about Pattinson embodying this Batman, but I enjoyed his role even more since he keeps his mask on for something like 85% on the time. In overall he is quite good at non-acting: he is almost impassive for the total length of the feature. However I think he made a slightly different Batman: more sad, more tired and more beginner. Speaking of this, thumbs up to the new Alfred too ! I was highly skeptical at first glance but his relation with Bruce Wayne is totally different than in the previous movies. I was also positively surprised by Catwoman's role and character, I found her not too sexualized, not too seductive, emotional as I like, and properly introduced in the scenario. The villains are okay, excepting the Riddler which I found to be terrific. Even more, I am deeply satisfied with the evolution of the different characters. I don't have the impression to have watched a pointless regular action movie.

I would have wanted more gadgets. For something as iconic as a Batarang, we see him use it once of twice maximum. What the heck ? He uses his grapple (or should I say Bat-grapple ?) way more often ! By extension, the wealth of Bruce Wayne is nothing more than detail ! While it is supposed to be his very first mean to be a lawkeeper... The Batcave looks like a regular cave as the Batmobile just looks like a boosted, armored and reinforced Jeep.

The scenario is quite boring and unoriginal. It sadly accentuate the fact that the movie lasts for more than two hours and a half. I found that the second third of it was the most boring. In overall it is really cyclic: Batman finds a riddle, solves it and goes to the meeting point, where he finds another riddle and so on and so on. He never tries to bypass the Riddler, never tries to do something unplanned. Fortunately the finale is worth it.

There are notable inconsistencies. Several allies, including Batman himself, are exposed to close bombing, and they all miraculously survive. Bruce Wayne take an incredible amount of bullets without taking much damage. It seems like he possess a bulletproof and fireproof mask... Quite effective.

I was disappointed by the fact that the movie tries to tackle multiple issues he can't really assume, as the death of Bruce's parents, the truth about his father and mother, the conception and origin of the Riddler, Gotham's politics, etc.

The soundtrack is great, especially the use of 'Something in the Way' from Nirvana (terrific song by the way). Its presence is so overwhelming and iconic that I can't remember any other song used in the movie !

In conclusion, many positive ideas and facts but I can't help to think that without its Batman label, this movie is just okay.