Plot Summary – 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.

★★★★★ 

Watched on 02 Mar 2022

If the Marvel Cinematic Universe is day, The Batman is night. And in what has felt in the superhero landscape as a never-ending daytime akin to the Arctic, the sun has finally set. It has been so long since a director has made something this genuine and sincere in the superhero world in a long time. Weird adjectives to describe a movie about a guy who wears an animal costume to fight ‘villains’, but I think that this film’s greatest strength is how seriously it takes itself. I am in love with the MCU but it was so refreshing to see a superhero movie that isn’t trying to make you laugh every five minutes. There are still laughs to be found but they are from the irony of the situation rather than witty one-liners. Reeves embraces the darkness and from it shows us what a film of this magnitude can be. This is a gruelling three-hour detective story akin to the works of David Fincher and Bong Joon-ho. We see Bruce Wayne’s brilliance on full display as we learn why he’s called the “World’s greatest detective”. It’s a film about corruption, about the mob, about the establishment and yet it is able to organically fit in superhero tropes and narratives. Paul Dano’s ‘king of the incels’ take on the Riddler is refreshing. Collin Farrel’s unrecognizable Penguin is far scarier just by his aura. Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman is a layered and morally ambiguous character. Robert Pattinson is perfect for this role. He exudes stoicism both as Batman and as Bruce Wayne. We see his morals questioned throughout the film and he has one of the best arcs I’ve seen in a movie in a long time. I think this film has the best score I’ve ever heard. Nothing has made me pay attention to the film as much as this score did. It does not let you escape from the screen because you ears are constantly engaged by this majestic and haunting score. The cinematography by Greig Fraser is absolutely gorgeous, there are frames from this film that I want to frame on my wall, there are sequences in this film that I want to watch on loop again and again. I think this is one of the best superhero movies ever made. It’s genius how this film manages to hold this tapestry together but it’s one cohesive, engaging and bone-chilling experience. I highly recommend The Batman with all my heart!