This was supposed to have been a showcase for Ben Affleck as director and Batman. It wound up with Matt Reeves directing Robert Pattinson as a new version of the Caped Crusader. I've got a lot to say about this nearly three-hour movie so let's say them.
Batman is already on his second year of crimefighting. He's called by Det. Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) on Halloween night to investigate the murder of Mayor Mitchell. The killer is The Riddler (Paul Dano), who leaves cryptic messages for the Dark Knight as his calling cards. Batman goes on the hunt when The Riddler kills a few more upstanding citizens.
Batman's sleuthing discovers that The Riddler's victims were on the payroll of mob boss Carmine Falcone (John Turturro). He eventually crosses paths with Falcone's lieutenant, The Penguin (Colin Farrell), and cat burglar Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz), who has her own connection with Falcone. Batman also discovers some dark secrets about his late father. He and his allies will have to act fast to stop, or minimize, The Riddler's explosive surprise for Gotham on the night of its upcoming Mayoral Election.
It doesn't take long to establish the mood of the next 176 minutes. The Riddler is introduced quietly staking out Mayor Mitchell before loudly murdering him. Criminals run in fear of the Bat Signal as Batman narrates while he can't be everywhere, he could be anywhere. What we have is a dark tale that'll shock you as much as it entertains you. The Riddler's masterplan will leave you guessing as hard as Batman. The only time you'll feel its length is in the multiple denouements.
The Batman wears his world-weariness from his nighttime crusades on his face as Bruce Wayne. He sometimes struggles in unexpected ways. You'll truly wonder if he's getting sleep at all. He gets some levity when he shares screentime with Alfred (Andy Serkis). He terrifies criminals but is terrified himself when the unmasked Riddler proclaims himself his biggest fan. That's enough to make him finally question the methods and motives of his nighttime crusade. It leads to a strong climax as he saves Gothamites trapped in a stadium with The Riddler's loyalists. Simply put, Pattinson makes for a great Batman.
Kravitz as Selina is also compelling as she struggles with her past. She spends one scene with her best friend Annika (Hana Hrzic) before the latter is killed by Falcone off-screen, but it depicts a palpable friendship. She and Pattinson have great chemistry as they deal with each other and their criminal foes. One of their best scenes is when he stops her from killing Falcone. It's a strong moment that helps them move from vengeance to justice.
Finally, a few supporting highlights. The Riddler himself is terrifying when masked and silent and an unnervingly pathetic loser when he's unmasked and talking. Meanwhile, The Penguin and Falcone make for memorable co-villains. Gordon and eventual Mayor Bella Reál (Jayme Lawson) are legitimate upstanding citizens and great allies for Batman. One of The Riddler's victims, DA Gil Colson (Peter Sarsgaard), is truly pitiable in his last moments.
Where to even begin on the technical stars? Gotham is an alluring visual nightmare visualized by production designer James Chinlund and cinematographer Greig Fraser. Mitchell's study, for example, goes from a warm locale to a ghoulish crime scene within minutes. Batman gets a great entrance as he emerges from the shadows to deal with a gang of clownish hoodlums. Similarly, the reveal of the Batmobile is nightmarishly awesome as it prepares to chase Penguin. Fraser also makes great mileage out of the color red here. The makeup team deserves all the praise for rendering Farrell unrecognizable as The Penguin. On the aural front, Michael Giacchino's score gives Batman an eerie new theme. There's plenty to like here.
One of its last scenes has a fellow inmate befriend The Riddler. Let's just say you won't forget his laugh. That's just one reason why I'm ready to see more of this new Batman. Another reason is that The Batman is a great superhero detective story whose massive length won't wear you out. If you can't see it in theaters, fear not, for it will apparently be on HBOMax sometime next month. Either way, seek out the biggest screen you can find. It was made for them.
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