The Batman

 

The Batman

This is a dark movie in tone and atmosphere. Many scenes are shot in gloomy rainy nights. Robert Pattinson’s Batman is sullen. An overriding theme of the film is vengeance. At one point Salina, Cat Woman, calls him by that name. What Pattinson lacks in dialogue he makes up in action. Like other Batmen movies special effects plays a significant role and this film does not disappoint. Pattinson’s Batman ranks high in order of popularity. Without his cowl he is an introspective Bruce Wayne. In part this is an origin story of Bruce’s parents going beyond that faithful night when they were killed in front of his eyes.

The line up of villains is impressive. Colin Farrell plays the Penguin. Here the name Penguin is a moniker for Oz Cobblepot. His prothesis makes him unrecognizable. The Penguin is an underling  to Carmine Falcone, played by John Turturro. Turturro gives one of the best performances. His outer persona in mild and even tempered but he is a cold blooded killer. The arch villain is the Riddler. He causes mayhem and murder wrapped in his riddles. The Riddler is brilliantly played by Paul Dano. This psychotic murder fits perfectly in Dano’s wheelhouse. 

The good guys are Salina, James Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth. Salina is the Cat Women played by Zoe Kravitz. This imp gives an outsized performance. She kicks ass with aplomb. She and Pattinson have good chemistry, maybe too good. Jeffery Wright plays James Gordon. He is the police officer that is aligned with Batman. Andy Serkis is Alfred Pennyworth. The Alfred character is complicated. He is a father figure, mentor and collaborator to Bruce Wayne. Serkis is a bit gruff compared to Michael Cain’s deferential Alfred. I wish his character was broader. There will be a sequel. In the insane asylum the Riddler is talking to another inmate with uncontrollable laughter.

The plot is a complicated. You may benefit from reading it in Wikipedia. Either before or after viewing the film. The Batman has become an event, see the movie and judge for yourself.