Holy Self-Awareness Batman

Apart from the titular characters overexposure there were two main concerns heading into The Batman; is it too long? Are we supposed to think darker edgier Batman = even cooler Batman?

To the first point, yeh probably but in fairnes nothing stands out as obvious filler to be removed and the fact the final act doesn't drag on means you end the film feeling your time has been respected.

As for the second concern the answer is fortunately a resounding no. Nobody understands me Batman doesn't even understand himself and is wracked by doubts about his actions and effectiveness. He is (rightly) called out for having a priveledged person's view of crime and the film acknowledges the fact that someone going around beating up street thugs probably wouldn't help a city very much. Despite spending the vast majority of the film under the mask Pattinson manages to convey enough humanity to get across the idea that Bruce is doing his best and isn't just a violent scumbag and the fact he is portrayed as just a man rather than a mega genius makes it easier to route for him despite his flaws.

Paul Dano is as good as you would expect as the Riddler, who actually has a better understanding of Gotham problems than Batman but like all 4 channer types doesn't have any solutions beyond "people must die because my life sucks."

All this seriousness doesn't mean the film completely forgets its a comic book movie, largely thanks to Colin Farells scenery chewing Penguin who could has strolled right out of a Dick Tracy film and a neon red Gotham City. For the most part the line between comic book and detective noir is walked confidently but there is the occasional slip. The grave tone means the absolute incompetence of Gothams police sticks out (we really aren't sending Riddler computer for forensics?) and if you squint at some parts you can almost believe you are watching a parody.

The Batman then is very much like its title character, serious, ambitious in its aims, flawed and pretty captivating.

8 bats out of 10 men.

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