THE BATMAN (2022)
The latest DC film has debuted! THE BATMAN! And, in what seems to be a growing trend, this latest film eschews any connection to the DCEU (that we know of). Depending on how you crunch the numbers, this is twelfth or higher theatrical Batman film with the caped crusader's name on the marquee. Perhaps one of the most versatile and malleable characters in fiction, Batman can range from silly camp-fair to a children's icon to darker nigh R-rated content. And most remarkable of all, all of these different approaches actually work. They're all wonderful and fit well with the character. Batman is the definition of an evergreen protean property.
This latest Batman film caters to a more mature audience, pushing the boundaries of PG-13 content to the edge of an R-rating. Directed by Matt Reeves, this film answers the question: "What if Batman was in David Fincher's SE7EN?"
It's dark, gritty, and scary at times. Clocking in at 2 hours and 56 minutes (let's just say 3 hours), this is the longest and most mature Batman film to date (after the success of Justice League - The Snyder Cut, makes me curious if we're in for a three-hour super hero film trend in the future?).
As the "upteenth" Batman film to see release, the only real question is... is it any good?
Yes it is.
THE SYNOPSIS
After the shocking and brutal murder of Gotham City's mayor, a cryptic riddle is left behind for The Batman. More murders of high profile Gothamites follow and Batman is confronted with his most challenging case yet, teaming up with GCPD, cat-burglars, and more to solve it.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Everybody is voicing the comparisons with David Fincher's SEVEN and that really is the most apt description of the film to let you know exactly what you're getting into. This movie is very dark, both in terms of content and lighting, appropriately so. I'm not sure I need to say anything more than that. The film channels great atmosphere, rainy, dirty, and menacing. Gotham City itself is portrayed perfectly (although it does feel strange seeing modern iPhones/Smart Phones in Gotham).
The movie is solid all around. Solid acting from everyone in the cast, solid directing, and a solid presentation. Though three hours long, I never felt like I was seeing unnecessary sequences, all of it feeling relevant to the plot. I wish it wasn't three hours long, though none of it felt superfluous. It's pacing is slower and methodical, appropriate for the story being told. It is grounded and filled with Batman actually showcasing detective skills. Again, all of this feels very much in keeping with the character and his street level hero status. This film feels very akin to Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, taking a step further into the realm of reality.
This film doesn't reinvent the character nor take the genre in a new direction. It knows what it is and it sets out to tell the best Batman story it can. And in that endeavor, I feel it succeeds beautifully. Honestly, if more franchises just tried to be the best version of themselves that they can be, instead of trying to reinvent things or change things up... 'sigh' ...we'd be in a much better place.
A WEIRD OBSERVATION
As I was watching The Batman it felt less like I was watching a movie (even though I was fully immersed in the theatrical experience) and more like I was binge-watching a streaming service mini series. The three hour run time combined with the grounded story, less sensationalism and more street level action, all of it felt like something I could watch at home on one of the various streaming services. This was my impression, not necessarily everyone else's.
To be clear, this isn't a criticism of the film, but rather a commentary on the changing landscape of entertainment. We live in an age of television where at home programing has equaled, and in some cases surpassed, what theatrical films can do. Many television shows nowadays have bigger budgets, high quality production value, and grand storytelling that make them feel, quite often, like three or four hour movies. Long-form storytelling has changed in such a way that has rendered certain theatrical experiences less novel.
So the question is: what can theatrical films do that "at home entertainment" can't? The Batman is a wonderful film that feels like it would translate seamlessly to a six episode mini-series on HBO Max. I wouldn't change a thing about The Batman, so, I don't know what I would change to give it that extra bump above streaming service content.
Now, this is just my opinion and feeling and no doubt others feel differently. To illustrate further what I mean, Spider-Man: No Way Home felt like an authentic theatrical experience that a streaming service couldn't replicate (at least not easily).
If I could levy one criticism about the film it would be a similar criticism that I had with The Dark Knight: the film's structure goes through the standard three-act presentation and we come to what feels like a conclusion... and then the movie continues, goes through another portion of rising action, climax, resolution... and continues again. It feels like two movies combined or more, further lending it a television series esthetic. In the case of The Dark Knight, given the tragic circumstances of Heath Ledger's passing, I understand the choices made in terms of the plot.
With no such circumstances concerning The Batman, I'm curious as to why the film's structure is as loose as it is. Again, everything in this movie works, but structurally it feels like two movies or a television mini series on a streaming service rather than a theatrical story. In the case of Spider-Man: No Way Home, though only 30 minutes shorter than The Batman, structurally it feels more akin to a feature film than The Batman does. Now, obviously, film and storytelling shouldn't be limited by the standard three-act structure, and I'm not saying theatrical films should be limited in such a way. Only that, to me, The Batman felt more like a television series than a theatrical film, and the episodic nature of this film actually feels representative of a comic book series structure as well!
THE VERDICT
The Batman is a nigh perfect representation of the character and the world he inhabits. The movie isn't for the timid and requires patience and endurance, offering a solid presentation all around! I don't think anything more really has to be said. Is it my favorite Batman film? No. Is it one of the best Batman films? Yes.
Overall Ranking: 8 out of 10
If Hollywood is to learn anything from this film, I hope it will be to focus on representing the material true to the intent as possible. All of the reinvention, subversions, and "freshening up" doesn't mean much if the property doesn't feel like itself.
Disagree? Want to discuss? Leave a comment!
And for more of our thoughts on Super Hero Cinema, check out the posts below!
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