Presenting to you, The Batman in yet another stunning avatar, aced by the poignant direction of Matt Reeves. The Batman movie (2022) is amplified by its stunning visuals, exemplary music, and outstanding story. It is reflective of a dark noir, from a long-lost era where movies used to get narrated by the protagonist’s journal of thoughts.
It is a Batman that does justice to the ‘World’s Greatest Detective’ as the story gets unfolded piece by piece in a self-revelation fashion as if you were0 walking alongside the protagonist trying to unmask the phantasm that has the corrupt cowering in fear. Given the backdrop of the villain, the context sets itself seamlessly along with Matt Reeve’s characteristic pace of storytelling reminiscent of a lot of his previous works like the Planet of the Apes trilogy.
What you immediately notice is Batman’s depiction as a ‘ghost lurking in the shadow’, the way he should actually be witnessed as. Like or unlike some of the previous depictions, his legend thrives on fear. Batman cannot be everywhere, so he has redefined the meaning of fear. In an entirely corrupt city where malfeasance festers the wounds of the fallen, every criminal remains terrified of the dark. It is that fear that makes them wonder about Batman’s presence.
Nothing hits home the image better than these Matt and Peter Craig‘s lines:
Fear is a tool. When that light hits the sky, it’s not just a call. It’s a warning.
The Batman Movie 2022 – The Incredible Writing and Direction
Every piece in the movie is a work of art. You can feel it blended in the gothic air, dismantled with every shot telling a story of its own, the silence stepping up to narrate the notions behind a chosen frame, as you hear the assembler’s thoughts.
The movie is so subtle that there hasn’t been a single moment wherein the protagonist has been explicitly called The Batman. Even Selina goes on to call him ‘Vengeance’ from his introduction. Calling someone something based on their appearance is a sloppy journalist’s job, and The Batman movie likes to stay away from it. Branding things based on their countenance is a short-sighted outlook. The creators understood it well enough. In the movie, you could read the papers calling Selina – The Cat that reeks of signs of easy journalism, when on the other hand you see her develop into so much more.
The Batman 2022 is a dark and disturbing tale reeking of murder with a masked vigilante trying to figure out the other person behind the mask, maybe his very own reflection, that he accidentally created by setting out on his path of vengeance. Riddler is basically him, who has just chosen a darker approach to his methods. He too has a fan following that provokes into an army of Riddlers, walking on the tightrope of his beliefs. It makes you wonder how sick minds are only an idol away from leapfrogging into the quagmire of chaos.
Battinson
Resting those long speculations to an end, a bloke who was always being judged based on his Twilight days, Robert Pattinson shows us why he has always been something more. He is such a versatile actor, turn over the leaflets of his portfolio and you will be surprised at his performances.
Robert has forever tried to escape that teenage heartthrob image that he was always being tacked to, for he has always been something more. With a series of seriously epic and dramatic movies to his name, it is safe to say that now he has successfully managed to escape his past.
With Batman, it is more like he does most of the talking through his eyes. He gives a brooding demeanor to the character making it his very own. With the superlative screenplay of the movie, he mingles like a perfect fit. The moment he introduces himself in the movie as ‘Vengeance’ you feel his voice being very apt as if it emanates from a very profound and dark messed up childhood. There is so much anger in him that it shows in his every act. His sleepless relentless pursuit of Riddler is one example that shows in his never-give-up attitude in the high-speed car chase sequence when he goes after the Penguin.
In terms of the suit he dons, the movie banks on being as realistic as possible. Also, there is very less of VFX work involved that gives you an impression of the movie being very raw. As if anyone could become Batman onscreen if there is a right story served. But only with the right expressions, could this Batsy be apposite, and Robert Pattinson turns out to be a great casting choice.
Riddler is a Genius
The Riddler’s portrayal is a remarkable one that people are going to talk about for ages. I have always liked Paul Dano‘s acting. But in this one, he is so splendid that it will make you forget everything he has done beforehand.
For the most part of the movie, The Riddler works in the shadows. But once he is out in the open, that’s when you actually feel his demented yet genius aura unfold. You experience his touch extraordinaire when he opens his mouth for the first time. His psychopathic vibes would put many psychopath portrayals to shame.
There are times that make you feel that there is a villain who is way smarter than Batman even as the latter has been called ‘World’s Greatest Detective’, which does absolute justice to the character of The Riddler.
The movie carries a great one-on-one conversation between Batman and the Riddler, which goes on to show how the Riddler thought he had been doing the right thing by getting rid of Gotham pests by being just like Batman. Also, he expected Batman to be as smart as him but when he figures out that the latter isn’t it breaks his heart.
The storyline is built in such a meticulous manner that when you realize how the Riddler literally leaves puzzle pieces to be unraveled by the Batman, it in a way, makes the Batman an accomplice to his final crime. You realize truly how smart the writing of the movie is.
Paul Dano’s signature weeping becomes a piece of striking memorabilia for the fans to take away as it contrasts to Joker’s popular hysterical laugh.
Other Noticeable Things
The Batman 2022 also takes away the superhuman elements. It is written in a language that screams palpability, that you actually feel it is possible – The existence of a smart human who is prone to mistakes, who gets hit a lot for he doesn’t have eyes everywhere, who also when fights, hits hard, one of his biggest tools apart from his gadgets. There is so much wrath in him that it shows through his punches that never land casually.
The fact that the movie is not buzzing with the implausible or with too many superheroes with fictitious elements, makes the existence of this universe a taste that you are willing to try. Everything is human and tangible, thrown punches too.
The intricacy with which murders are performed leaves Batman with crumbs to pick. The way the movie binds the Catwoman angle by not going way too hard on Penguin is a delight to watch. It manages to create a universe of villainy with just the right references and by dropping Batsy in the center of all the madness.
The Final Verdict of The Batman movie
With extraordinary performances by its cast, The Batman movie (2022) settles as a complete package per se. It is slow and poignant. The music is so epic and beautifully placed that in moments of inaction or in moments of brooding, you end up paying attention. When you hear it, it seems as if you are on a cathartic adventure. As if you are in your room playing a really good detective game.
The Batman movie is akin to reading a book that is crafty, smart, and intelligible at the same time. When you are done with it, you feel you have learned something, that you have affected a piece in your brain, that you are no longer your same old self, that something has appended itself to the dictionary of your introspection, and now nothing would be the same.
Watch out for the bonus deleted content that hides an insightful conversation between Batman and his legendary nemesis – The Joker. With the inclusion of that scene in your story of thoughts, the movie literally shouts how it has everything for the fans. Barry Keoghan nailing the Joker is a delight to watch. Don’t miss out on their conversation for the world. It will give you goosebumps!
The Batman
Pros
- Extraordinary Direction
- Great Plot
- Amazing Screenplay
- Outstanding Cinematography
- Great Music
Cons
- Not for everybody
