Batman

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  • Posts: 12,243
    JFC, this movie was unbelievably great. Believe the hype - it's a 10/10 for me. The only films I can think of - and I've seen just about all of them, live-action and animated - that compete with it for me would be Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Mask of the Phantasm. I'm going to just put some more detailed stuff in spoilers for anyone who wants more opinions who's seen it (or wants to be spoiled):
    First and foremost, Robert Pattinson IS the Batman. This guy seriously may be the greatest Batman of all time, no lie. He is the embodiment of Batman's darkness, his broken soul, his heroism, his ferocity, and his intelligence. He is detective, brawler, and stalker. A true creature of the night. His Bruce Wayne is closed off to the world - to everyone but Alfred. The hospital scene between them... man, it's a classic Bruce-Alfred moment to add to the list. But yeah, this is still the very best part of the whole thing. This is like a Christopher Reeve Superman moment where every part I was watching Batman, not Pattinson. I'm still in disbelief about it. The amount of detective work they added made me so giddy, this is a Batman we needed to happen. As he said, he IS the shadows, not in them. He is a bat as much as a man this time as any.

    The rest of the cast? Flipping sensational. You can't really top Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman, but Zoe Kavitz is a purrfect Catwoman and Selina. More interesting than Anne Hathaway's, you really feel for her. She's so spunky and just fits the character so perfectly. Headstrong, sexy, and still a compassionate side. Paul Dano completely reinvents the Riddler in the best way possible. He goes up and down between subtle and over the top and strikes a gleefully great balance. Without the mask, I couldn't picture a more fitting looking Edward Nashton. With the mask, he is as terrifying as any Batman villain who has come before. Turturro is so good as Falcone, despite limited screen time. Colin Farrell's Penguin? Forget about it - he's just brilliant, my god. While I have my doubts DeVito's grotesque Penguin can be topped as my personal favorite interpretation of the character, Farrell's take is a marvelous reinvention. He still has a similar flair, but he's not big and respected yet, or quite as over the top. Jeffrey Wright is a slam dunk as Gordon, period. Andy Serkis was a very good new Alfred, though I can't say he supplants Michael Gough or Michael Caine for me. I can't think of anyone who didn't do a great job and convince me in their first few moments they fit.

    How's the action? Insanely great. The fistfights are as well done as ever. Oh, yeah, something very important. Three words: the car chase... oh my lord, this seriously might be the best car chase I've ever seen in a movie. My heart was pounding. The fire and the crashing and the high speed all felt so real. And of course, the culmination of Batman coming towards Penguin in the car is simply a vintage moment, one that deserves to be iconic in Batman lore with that Giacchino theme blaring in the background. Giacchino gave me some Elfman vibes in the best way. I don't think that theme can be topped for me either, but I'll be damned if this new one wasn't amazing. His whole gothic, intense score is just marvelous.

    I'll just ramble on about other stuff from here, forget structure! I loved Riddler's creepy cult that carried out his plan after his arrest. That's great scriptwriting for believable henchmen in this technology / livestreaming age. I liked how they handled Thomas Wayne a lot, being shown to be not perfect, but not a total villain as originally thought. He was imperfect but had a good heart. The movie is so careful in delivering the message: evil and corruption does lurk everywhere among the elite, but there are those who are better that can still fight the good fight. Hope. The movie is dark AF, but hope is a key element. My interest was held through the whole three hour run time, and honestly I just want several more movies like this as soon as possible. It will be a crime if Pattinson and Reeves get anything less than a trilogy, preferably more. I want to see the uncontested best rogues gallery adapted in this universe, this Gotham that had more personality than perhaps any before.

    Matt Reeves clearly had a vision here, and he executed it brilliantly. I'm simply floored still thinking about how great this film was. I can't remember the last time I came out of the theater to a brand new movie thinking, "wow, that was a 10/10." Please, EVERYONE, Batman fans new and old - do yourself a favor and see this thing ASAP.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,449
    FoxRox wrote: »
    JFC, this movie was unbelievably great. Believe the hype - it's a 10/10 for me. The only films I can think of - and I've seen just about all of them, live-action and animated - that compete with it for me would be Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Mask of the Phantasm. I'm going to just put some more detailed stuff in spoilers for anyone who wants more opinions who's seen it (or wants to be spoiled):
    First and foremost, Robert Pattinson IS the Batman. This guy seriously may be the greatest Batman of all time, no lie. He is the embodiment of Batman's darkness, his broken soul, his heroism, his ferocity, and his intelligence. He is detective, brawler, and stalker. A true creature of the night. His Bruce Wayne is closed off to the world - to everyone but Alfred. The hospital scene between them... man, it's a classic Bruce-Alfred moment to add to the list. But yeah, this is still the very best part of the whole thing. This is like a Christopher Reeve Superman moment where every part I was watching Batman, not Pattinson. I'm still in disbelief about it. The amount of detective work they added made me so giddy, this is a Batman we needed to happen. As he said, he IS the shadows, not in them. He is a bat as much as a man this time as any.

    The rest of the cast? Flipping sensational. You can't really top Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman, but Zoe Kavitz is a purrfect Catwoman and Selina. More interesting than Anne Hathaway's, you really feel for her. She's so spunky and just fits the character so perfectly. Headstrong, sexy, and still a compassionate side. Paul Dano completely reinvents the Riddler in the best way possible. He goes up and down between subtle and over the top and strikes a gleefully great balance. Without the mask, I couldn't picture a more fitting looking Edward Nashton. With the mask, he is as terrifying as any Batman villain who has come before. Turturro is so good as Falcone, despite limited screen time. Colin Farrell's Penguin? Forget about it - he's just brilliant, my god. While I have my doubts DeVito's grotesque Penguin can be topped as my personal favorite interpretation of the character, Farrell's take is a marvelous reinvention. He still has a similar flair, but he's not big and respected yet, or quite as over the top. Jeffrey Wright is a slam dunk as Gordon, period. Andy Serkis was a very good new Alfred, though I can't say he supplants Michael Gough or Michael Caine for me. I can't think of anyone who didn't do a great job and convince me in their first few moments they fit.

    How's the action? Insanely great. The fistfights are as well done as ever. Oh, yeah, something very important. Three words: the car chase... oh my lord, this seriously might be the best car chase I've ever seen in a movie. My heart was pounding. The fire and the crashing and the high speed all felt so real. And of course, the culmination of Batman coming towards Penguin in the car is simply a vintage moment, one that deserves to be iconic in Batman lore with that Giacchino theme blaring in the background. Giacchino gave me some Elfman vibes in the best way. I don't think that theme can be topped for me either, but I'll be damned if this new one wasn't amazing. His whole gothic, intense score is just marvelous.

    I'll just ramble on about other stuff from here, forget structure! I loved Riddler's creepy cult that carried out his plan after his arrest. That's great scriptwriting for believable henchmen in this technology / livestreaming age. I liked how they handled Thomas Wayne a lot, being shown to be not perfect, but not a total villain as originally thought. He was imperfect but had a good heart. The movie is so careful in delivering the message: evil and corruption does lurk everywhere among the elite, but there are those who are better that can still fight the good fight. Hope. The movie is dark AF, but hope is a key element. My interest was held through the whole three hour run time, and honestly I just want several more movies like this as soon as possible. It will be a crime if Pattinson and Reeves get anything less than a trilogy, preferably more. I want to see the uncontested best rogues gallery adapted in this universe, this Gotham that had more personality than perhaps any before.

    Matt Reeves clearly had a vision here, and he executed it brilliantly. I'm simply floored still thinking about how great this film was. I can't remember the last time I came out of the theater to a brand new movie thinking, "wow, that was a 10/10." Please, EVERYONE, Batman fans new and old - do yourself a favor and see this thing ASAP.

    I agree with literally everything you wrote here, @FoxRox! We clearly saw the same movie. Now be a good boy and go see the film again; I promise that you'll love the film even more!
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    edited March 2022 Posts: 8,000
    In terms of rebooting, this is kinda how I want Bond to be done where he’s already been established as the secret agent we all know and is simply working on the next case.

    I’m just relieved we didn’t have to endure yet another origin story where we see Bruce’s parents eating lead with the pearls falling onto the pavement.
  • Posts: 1,545
    In terms of rebooting, this is kinda how I want Bond to be done where he’s already been established as the secret agent we all know and is simply working on the next case.

    I’m just relieved we didn’t have to endure yet another origin story where we see Bruce’s parents eating lead with the pearls falling onto the pavement.

    ...or was that eating pearls with the lead falling to the pavement ? Hey ! THAT's how they could show it the next time, to make it FRESH !

    With regard to your Bond comment, that is pretty much how Bond was introduced in 1962, right, though I'd say the Bond we meet in DR is already experienced as a double-0, and is not just in his second year or so. But he's established and experienced in the job. Whether we get a psych-intense Bond with a multi-picture story arc again, or a change in tone, either way, I don't see an origin again or a reference to how he's a new double-0. As I write this, it occurs to me that casting might affect it. If they select a significantly younger actor for the part, he might be quite closer to his origin than, say, was Connery's Bond in 1962, or any of the other loose-continuity/soft (very) re-boots of (arguably) Dalton in TLD (already on the job long enough to muse about getting relieved of duties, "they'd be doing him a favor" was it ?), Brosnan in GE (already well past the days of working with partner and calling out "last calls" when it was time to shoot their way out), or Craig in CR (close enough that he'd just recently gotten the nod to double-0). I mention this because I wonder if they might go QUITE young to try to sow the seeds of a new audience and bring in the (sorry, Judge) "yewths" though I think they belong in Young Bond (which could be fun !) moreso than in a "regular" Bond. The folks whose names I've seen tossed about - admittedly, by fans and not the producers - would tip over in a stiff wind and would lose their next pillow fight.
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    Posts: 2,895
    In terms of rebooting, this is kinda how I want Bond to be done where he’s already been established as the secret agent we all know and is simply working on the next case.
    Same.

  • It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the folks at Eon are taking a couple notes on The Batman.
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    Posts: 1,351
    It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the folks at Eon are taking a couple notes on The Batman.

    The scenes when the next Bond film is called "The James Bond".
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited March 2022 Posts: 5,834
    I just appreciate how natural and organic it all felt. Everything felt necessary. I didn't question why one character was there, which I think can be rare sometimes, especially in comic book movies.
  • matt_umatt_u better known as Mr. Roark
    Posts: 4,343
    It’s a masterpiece folks.
  • Posts: 15,785
    I may have to see this one. I rarely go to movies these days but this may be worth the trip.
  • Posts: 12,243
    Happy to see the consensus is so positive here. @ToTheRight I know everyone's opinions will vary somewhat, but I can't recommend it enough, as someone who feels like it's the first 10/10 I've seen at the theater in ages. It's simply a feast for Bat-fans. I can't get over how spoiled us Batman fans are; Burton's movies, Nolan's movies, the new one, all the amazing animated films, the incredible animated series, the Arkham games... man.
  • matt_umatt_u better known as Mr. Roark
    Posts: 4,343
    Bruce Wayne is finally the Batman’s shadow and not the opposite. It’s beyond me how this film is able to perfectly being so terrifying, delicate, violent, melancholy, gothic and cool at the same time. It also feels like a straight out comic book film (in a pulp way) but at the same time it’s so anchored to a tactile realism. Reeves crafted a monumentally cohesive artistic vision even beyond everything previous Batman directors gave us before, from both a thematically and visual standpoint.
  • Posts: 15,785
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Happy to see the consensus is so positive here. @ToTheRight I know everyone's opinions will vary somewhat, but I can't recommend it enough, as someone who feels like it's the first 10/10 I've seen at the theater in ages. It's simply a feast for Bat-fans. I can't get over how spoiled us Batman fans are; Burton's movies, Nolan's movies, the new one, all the amazing animated films, the incredible animated series, the Arkham games... man.

    I even like the serials, and of course, Adam West. If I get time I may catch the new film. I'm glad it's getting a positive reception. I'm intrigued that it's more of a detective story rather than an action film. Sounds very interesting.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,053
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Happy to see the consensus is so positive here. @ToTheRight I know everyone's opinions will vary somewhat, but I can't recommend it enough, as someone who feels like it's the first 10/10 I've seen at the theater in ages. It's simply a feast for Bat-fans. I can't get over how spoiled us Batman fans are; Burton's movies, Nolan's movies, the new one, all the amazing animated films, the incredible animated series, the Arkham games... man.

    I know, I’m lucky to be a fan of some great creations.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,009
    I really enjoyed the film overall. It's wedged with great scenes and really moves at a great pace considering the runtime. Great atmosphere, set pieces and music.

    Pattinson is great in the cape and cowl but his Bruce Wayne left a bit to be desired, which was surprising. It wasn't as much a Bruce Wayne story as previous iterations so it didn't make much difference in the end, but I always liked the duality of the character so it was a shame that it wasn't present.

    That being said, I'd watch it again in a heartbeat.
  • matt_umatt_u better known as Mr. Roark
    Posts: 4,343
    To be fair it’s ALL about Bruce’s inner demons and heritage.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,009
    matt_u wrote: »
    To be fair it’s ALL about Bruce’s inner demons and heritage.

    True, the story is. I just didn't feel like he fared as well outside of the suit as he did in it. It was surprising to me, as I would have assumed the reverse when he was announced. But still, a great film overall.

    And John Turturro was great as Falcone.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited March 2022 Posts: 5,834
    I imagine what you were expecting will be born in the next film. I think this film was just the first step in Bruce figuring out the Wayne persona. The way its dealt with here works for me because it shows you how Batman is who he truly is, and the Bruce Wayne persona will be the eventual "mask", although in this movie lines are blurred. In so many words, while this isn't a Batman origin story, you could say its a Bruce origin story? Although again I think that full transition will be seen next.

    Either way, I'm glad you enjoyed the film @CraigMooreOHMSS :)
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    edited March 2022 Posts: 8,009
    For sure, @Denbigh - The Riddler even alludes to as much. It's just a different kind of Batman story in many ways in comparison with the live-action ones we've seen before. And that, in itself, is a good thing.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited March 2022 Posts: 5,834
    For sure, @Denbigh - The Riddler even alludes to as much. It's just a different kind of Batman story in many ways in comparison with the live-action ones we've seen before. And that, in itself, is a good thing.
    Oh definitely, which is interesting because it feels like the most comics accurate out of those live-action films we've seen before.

    I was thinking about it in comparison to the Nolan trilogy, and feel that the Nolan films brought Batman into the real world, whereas this film brings real life into the world of Batman. If that makes sense.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,255
    Pattinson knocked it out of the ball park. I loved his presence in the suit (he looked like a three hundred pound monster); I also thought his Bruce Wayne was an interesting approach: he was still The Batman and seemingly had lost his identity as Bruce. The Bat was this guy’s comfort blanket. He had become the nocturnal beast (the touches with his sensitivity to sunlight and his pale complexion were subtly and beautifully executed). I think it may’ve been @DarthDimi who noted he forgot he was watching Pattinson. I had the same experience.

    The casting, sets, locations and the soundtrack (god that soundtrack!!!!), we’re all first class.

    However, I was disappointed… I didn’t think that this film with this story warranted a three hour run time. I’d be enthralled with certain scenes (and captivated by the lead character), but there were long stretches where I was feeling the length. There were subplots that weren’t necessary… Without spoiling anything, Turturro’s Falcone didn’t need two different sub plots… if I edit out one of these subplots (a specific one), nothing changes in the film other than making it tighter. Which leads me to…

    Selina Kyle…. Kravitz was lacking in my opinion. In fact, edit her out of the film and it doesn’t actually change anything again, other than tightening the story and the film’s run time.

    In the end this was a very mixed bag for me and thankfully Pattinson was beyond great and, to me, was the glue that kept me watching.

  • One of the things I loved about the movie was the look of Gotham itself. Probably my 3rd favorite look for the city after Burton’s films and The Animated Series.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,255
    One of the things I loved about the movie was the look of Gotham itself. Probably my 3rd favorite look for the city after Burton’s films and The Animated Series.

    Agreed. Awesome look to the city and I hope they keep consistency in their sequels (BB Gotham was quite a bit different by the time TDK was filmed)
  • Posts: 9,734
    10/10 wife hated it but I loved it full review tomorrow

    This beat out begins as my favorite
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,255
    An add-on: I loved the voice overs; hearing the inner thoughts of Batman/Bruce and his doubts about how effective he is, was flat out awesome.
    I wish they peppered more of them throughout the film.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,449
    peter wrote: »
    However, I was disappointed… I didn’t think that this film with this story warranted a three hour run time. I’d be enthralled with certain scenes (and captivated by the lead character), but there were long stretches where I was feeling the length. There were subplots that weren’t necessary… Without spoiling anything, Turturro’s Falcone didn’t need two different sub plots… if I edit out one of these subplots (a specific one), nothing changes in the film other than making it tighter. Which leads me to…

    Selina Kyle…. Kravitz was lacking in my opinion. In fact, edit her out of the film and it doesn’t actually change anything again, other than tightening the story and the film’s run time.

    I guess the running time combined with the pace of the film will put some people off. I promised an endurance test. ;-)

    I disagree about Zoë Kravitz. Both her acting, appearance and story really got to me.
    Risico007 wrote: »
    10/10 wife hated it but I loved it full review tomorrow

    This beat out begins as my favorite

    Your wife too, @Risico007? Mine as well, that is to say, she didn't hate the film, it just left her completely cold.
  • Posts: 1,545
    peter wrote: »
    An add-on: I loved the voice overs; hearing the inner thoughts of Batman/Bruce and his doubts about how effective he is, was flat out awesome.
    I wish they peppered more of them throughout the film.

    I'd seen nothing to date that gave me a bad vibe until I saw this - that there are voiceovers, with The Batman/Bruce Wayne providing inner narration...ugh...why ? This film doesn't have enough already ? I still look forward to seeing it, but...less so. Oh, man, does this mean the next two films in what appears to be a trilogy will ALSO have voiceover ? To quote a character played by an actor who once had to do a voiceover in a film which didn't need it and he seemed quite certain it did not: "I've got a bad feeling about this..."
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,255
    @Since62 , if something is organic to the story, it’ll work. This was more like Travis Bickle than it was Harrison Ford’s tacked on voice over in Bladerunner.
    The Batman is a noir film and the voice over worked and I wished there was more.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,449
    Since62 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    An add-on: I loved the voice overs; hearing the inner thoughts of Batman/Bruce and his doubts about how effective he is, was flat out awesome.
    I wish they peppered more of them throughout the film.

    I'd seen nothing to date that gave me a bad vibe until I saw this - that there are voiceovers, with The Batman/Bruce Wayne providing inner narration...ugh...why ? This film doesn't have enough already ? I still look forward to seeing it, but...less so. Oh, man, does this mean the next two films in what appears to be a trilogy will ALSO have voiceover ? To quote a character played by an actor who once had to do a voiceover in a film which didn't need it and he seemed quite certain it did not: "I've got a bad feeling about this..."

    @Since62 Don't be distracted. There's a bit at the start and a bit at the end and that's it, nothing to be worried about. There's less of it in this film than Sarah Connor's voiceover in T2.

    Also, try not to think in terms of a "voiceover narration." Rather, think in comic book terms. Inner monologues are pretty common there.

    The only alternative the film had to an inner monologue from Batman was to have another character spell out for us what the Batman is thinking, and that would not have befitted this movie. Please don't have your enthusiasm lessened before you've actually seen the film. Every choice made has clearly been thought through. The Bat's inner monologue makes sense, feels right and works for both an awesome opening and closing scene.

    And since you're referencing Blade Runner, no, it's nothing like that at all.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 12,916
    Haven't seen the film, the voiceover sounds like a limited nourish touch that would fit.
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