THE BATMAN - Movie Review

[@gregg3744]

You deliver reviews in such an intelligent, articulate, classy way. Definitely the most unique reviewer and a pleasure to watch!

[@EthanButler]

^^^^^^

[@cpahiker]

agree, very well articulated, and what I would call a "smart" review . . .

[@artistryartistry7239]

Ooops, there's a dry spot over there. Better kiss that too.

[@thejamesbondshow9754]

@@artistryartistry7239 jerk

[@SanAndreasToday]

Simpin’

[@recordechoes]

Totally disagree that Batman didn’t have a growth arc. The film begins with him talking about instilling fear in the population, calling himself vengeance. The movie closes with Bruce realizing that fear just begets more violent acts and vengeance with another face. He goes from someone even upstanding citizens fear, to a beacon of hope. Notice how the dark knight is never called Batman by others; many refer to him as Vengeance. To me, this film was Batman’s origin story, despite it taking place two years into his caped crusades. Bruce realized the Batman he must be.

[@PulseRELOADED]

The animated series really was the best , I could binge watch them all .

[@Tyler_W]

That iteration in general across all of those animated shows is excellent (minus that messed up relationship with Barbara Gordon they kept insisting on being a thing).

[@alexanderg1297]

I do think this is the best live action version of Gotham we’ve seen. Nolan’s version just looks like Chicago or big city New England.

[@complicatedairflow7237]

Agreed though it looks better in begins imo

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

In Batman Begins it looked amazing.

[@davidsolimene5367]

Especially the design of the narrows

[@ruly8153]

Not talking about he film But I thought the Gotham in joker was the best

[@donaldhysa4836]

It reminded me too much of home strangely enough. Home as in Eastern European shithole city

[@RAMtrails]

one of the things that really impressed me was that Batman had more of a presence in this film. Meaning he was imposing and almost scary to regular citizens of Gotham. The Batman did such a great job of this and I could feel the intensity of Batman in the scenes that I never felt from the Nolan films.

[@gpapa31]

“Batman The Animated Series” is a masterpiece and Kevin Conroy is IMHO the definitive version of both Batman and Bruce Wayne the man.

[@vigneshsubramanian2511]

Batman Arkham games is another one too. It’s literally a photorealistic version of the TAS

[@hoibsh21]

Let's be honest, Adam West was the best Batman. His show -- BAM, BIFF, SOCK, POW !! -- was just as comic, poetic and dramatic as Shakespeare.

[@timothybenn313]

seriously lol

[@TTM9691]

I completely agree. No other actor IS Batman. It's "Oh, there's Michael Keaton." "Oh, there's Christian Bale". Also it was great when superhero stuff was for kids and if it was good (like "Batman" or the 1978 "Superman") it worked on an adult level as well. As opposed to being made for adults who never grew up, lol.

[@hoibsh21]

@@TTM9691 The Hulk with Bill Bixby was for kids but it had a lot of adult themes as well, another great superhero show.

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

I absolutely love your reviews, you're so well spoken and the passion for good cinema shines through in every video you make. Thank you, truly, for your work. Also "Mask of the Phantasm" is truly the best Batman film ever made.

[@telsutton]

Unless you're a sucker for the Adam West/ Burt Ward era.... in which case 'Batman - The Movie' takes some beating... so many supervillains!

[@mudstyle5288]

As much as I liked it the exposition dumps in this new one are worse than the Nolan trilogy.

[@juancamilo4684]

I TURNED THAT SHIT OFF WHEN THE NIRVANA BLASFEMY CAME ON , It felt like a beatles song on a Nike commercial

[@jarrettcriddle7073]

Well said. I Loved The Batman! It felt more real and grounded than Nolan’s. Which I still liked a lot.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

I still rate Batman Begins the best live action Batman film but this was better than The Dark Knight.

[@iansmart4158]

I've seen this take a lot but I disagree so wholeheartedly. This feels the closest to like a GRANT MORRISON/ SCOTT SNYDER version of Batman. Like ripped from the Comix in a major way. Nolan's feels far more grounded and realistic. The entire contact-camera tech in THE BATMAN is completely unbelievable but works for a more comic-y Batman flick.

[@lukess.s]

@@iansmart4158 none of these movies are realistic because they're BATMAN movies but the Nolan movies are certainly no more realistic than this new one.

[@hcaz5818]

@@lukess.s literally everything batman uses in the Nolan films is either based off military equipment or it is just straight up military equipment. Damn realistic, besides the sonar thing in tdk

[@brandonthomas6602]

the batman is a live action cartoon

[@Abuu1732]

Shirley’s work in the Mask of the Phantasm was brazy, I never questioned the choral cues at the time cause they just blended so well with the film but it’s insane to think in retrospect how she managed to make it work so well for a Batman film…but then again idk maybe cause it was animated it had a lot more leeway

[@domwalker6526]

This movie was awesome. I loved the noir style and the dark tone. Pattenson was much better than I expected. The focus they did in the character development was great. Cinematography was great. I had fun with this movie and I think it's a step in the right direction. I like the Christopher Noland films but I liked the approach this film took. Great review

[@thejamesbondshow9754]

Nolan, not Noland

[@notimportant3686]

ugh... it was so bad

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

Just saw it. Thought was great, none of those campy superhero tropes. It played out like a detective, psychological thriller. Definitely worth the watch.

[@steverok67]

Thank you for your honest, spoiler-free review. I have come to realize that, since the Batman character has such a long history, and, in ways, more "reach" than other comic book characters, his films are held to a different kind of standard. That you are comparing it to "The Dark Knight" could mean that "The Batman" is in the conversation for the best Batman film that has been made, which, at this point, is all we could ask for. I imagine we all need to see it multiple times to properly gauge that, which I look forward to. Glad you enjoyed the film.

[@natedogs212]

I always have issues with people who say a movie is 'TOO LONG' time wise....Mainly because if those very well done movies who are 3-4 hours long, even with their issues. It would, in the end, be a hinderance to those movies if Time was Cut down to a shorter movie.......not a benefit.....

[@unmixedunmastered2810]

1:35 “I know a lot of people think it’s the Chris Nolan films...” This movie hasn’t been out for a WEEK, so I dunno where u get the consensus so quick of what people think or decided who’s the ideal BATMAN film, when it hasn’t had the time to grow any reputation. Maybe after a year. And pretty much everyone i’ve talked and seen online says it’s the most BATMAN film yet ..

[@michaelmast_nomadicthrive]

Totally agree with you here, I though this was the best Batman made yet. It looked and felt like a comic book world, whereas Nolan’s series looks to real world for me. And for me, the whole film is worth it for the Batmobile scene alone. The sound design was insane in that scene and was just very cool and believable.

[@adampm9998]

I think it would be great to see a sequel to this movie that brings Robin back. The introduction of Robin into this version of the batman universe would bring a very interesting balance to the tone, similar to the way Robin brought balance to the tone of the Batman Animated Series. Plus no one has done a more serious, noir version of Robin and at this point we have a great opportunity for that to happen.

[@andynowicki4532]

It has elements of "Seven," "Silence of the Lambs," "Saw," and "Ted K"

[@Birmanncat]

And none of their intensity and sense of risk.

[@nepesilva2284]

@@Birmanncatagreed, the movie took its influences and watered them down to their most basic elements.

[@axelnavarrete3947]

It'll be easy to geek out because its a batman movie. If i'm honest this film did not click with me i didnt feel that sense of danger through out the film even though there were explosions and floodings. Hey, i'm not an actor but i felt paul dano was kind of comical in this film. He didnt ooze crazy psychpath to me. The chase sequence was fantastic. Collin Ferrell and robert Pattison fantastic. The cinematography great. This film just didnt captivate me. Oh yeah. Of course they would tease the joker because why wouldnt they. 🙄

[@dennisblassnig9144]

Best comic thing in this movie is the narration, it really nails the narration boxes from the comics I just hope with the next movies that they finally could bring in a Batman family that is working like in the comics, Robin, Batgirl, Huntress, Nightwing, just please make something like this happen

[@mirroredhour]

I agree so much. I think including the bat family in this trilogy could work really well. Part of me doubts it would ever happen but I'm willing to be pleasantly surprised again.

[@jaycollins2036]

No offense, but I found your reviews dry at first, though I respected the way way you broke things down and your knowledge of cinema blew me away, the fact that you avoid buzzwords and hypespeak is also refreshing. Now you are one of the few critics I trust, and the dryness is actually a lack of bullsh*t. I felt very similarly about this film. It's full of problems but it makes some noble strides into a direction I think perfectly captures what makes Batman as a character intriguing, while also modernizing him and deconstructing him as a concept, without breaking the fourth wall or being condescending to it's audience.

[@sajithks97]

You are so underrated. You've been doing it for longgggg. I hope you get more views

[@booker80]

I just saw it Couple of minutes ago Matt Reeves influences was this The French Connection (1971), Klute (1971), Chinatown (1974), All the President's Men (1976), Taxi Driver (1976), as well as the works of Alfred Hitchcock.

[@michaeldeery9014]

I haven't seen the film yet but I've never believed that superheroes are a good vehicle to question the nature of good or evil. If you want to talk about whether the police or are bad as the criminals then I find that interesting but the stakes in a superhero universe are too high. Iron Man is a great example of this. There are people upset that the MCU Peter Parker is so enthralled with Tony Stark, they feel Spider-Man is the working class hero and his relationship with Stark could be used to comment on the class struggle. But Tony Stark saved the world multiple times and he had saved the universe, like the whole of creation. You can't then ask if he's contributed more bad to world because nothing bad he's done can out weigh saving the universe. There's always immediate, world ending threats that only these heroes can solve which means you can never explore them in a deeper way.

[@kurtrivero368]

This movie is much better than Iron Man. That film is a cartoon in comparison.

[@ravenbom]

The great thing I see in Pattinson's Bruce Wayne is that it is 100% clear that Bruce Wayne is dead. He died in that alley with his parents. You really get the feeling that in his head, he wouldn't call himself Bruce. It takes a second to realize people are addressing him.

[@AdamFishkin]

A princess?? Really?? That's how you label Anne Hathaway? I know this will be an unpopular opinion, but Zoe Kravitz was underwhelming. I found Hathaway to be a much stronger Catwoman, in part because she didn't telegraph the outcome of her arc by showing any sense of nobility. Catwoman is supposed to be part of the Rogues Gallery, after all. Neither of them can top Michelle Pfeiffer, whose only disadvantage was the weird leather costume.

[@whatthedeuce92]

I agree with you. I thought Kravitz was terrible in the role and I don't see many other people that feel the same

[@aniruddhagowda8072]

The more I think about it, this is a year two batman. Pushing him to his limits may come somewhere in the longer run. I saw this more as a set-up for the new direction they're going with. But I had two plot points which I thought would've worked. A- if he would've done things as Batman for the time he knew about his families past from Riddler's pov. And when he was too close to tipping over the edge, Alfred would reveal the truth. The push and pull would've been better OR B- The final clue could've been something where if he solved it, his true identity would've been revealed but it would save a lot of people and he would have to make a choice.

[@acrossbarrier]

You are correct , before seeing the movie I heard it was the darkest . I don't know why I also thought the final clue should have been about protecting his identity , but somehow I thought for a real dark ending , it should have been the ending as a Bollywood film Raman Raghav 2.0

[@basehead617]

I'm so glad there is a 'film person' that doesn't think the Nolan Batman movies are the be-all-end-all, I don't like them myself..

[@bolder2009]

I worked on it and I've never understood the praise it gets. Tim Burton's vision of Batman and Gotham is still the gold standard for me.

[@SchlockstarJoe]

Unpopular opinion; The Batman was less stylish than Burton’s Batman, less epic than Nolan’s Batman, and less sophisticated than The Animated Series. I see no reason why this movie was made.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

It sucks that most people are so stupid these days and lack the attention span or ability to sit still for longer than like 15 minutes. I am so glad we got this film and it broke the crappy mold this woman is talking about with the 3rd act because just like Batman and the folks of Gotham I did NOT see the final Riddler attack coming. The sea wall breached and then Gotham was underwater. They're going for a No Man's Land type scenario and I love that. For the sequel I'd love to see more realistic rouges like Anarky and ventriloquist w/ Scarface. Penguin should return as well and I hope they either use Joker minimal or not at all.

[@KingKhupacabra]

Exactly, these people r not seeing the vision of this batman trilogy

[@Mary...22-u9j]

catwoman whining about"white privilege"ruined it..we walked out after that BS

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

Can't say i blame you but luckily the rest of the movie didn't harp on it.

[@thejamesbondshow9754]

Spot on, the "spacial awareness' of the car chase was very frustrating as it was close up after close ups, which limits how we can take in the great car design, production design etc.

[@glenis83]

One thing that gets overlooked regarding the Batman Begins and Dark Knight score is James Newton Howard’s contribution. I think he added the subtlety and the nuance that was needed (and was much missed in The Dark Knight Rises). I love Hans Zimmer too and I thought they complemented each other well.

[@Moncters]

Another amazing review! Thank you! My Batman ranking list 1) THE DARK KNIGHT 2) THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 3) THE BATMAN

[@rubenmunoz6031]

No Batman begins or Tim Burton's stuff

[@neondemon5518]

this was almost like i myself was reviewing the movie . absolutely spot on review . wow i am more mind blown with the review than the movie itself!

[@neondemon5518]

i almost always tend to disagree with most of the reviewers on most of the things they say but this is just amazing

[@cinemasprite]

@@neondemon5518 u a nicolas winding refn fan by any chance?

[@neondemon5518]

@@cinemasprite i most definitely am :)

[@cinemasprite]

@@neondemon5518 niiice can’t wait for his show Copenhagen Cowboy looks sick

[@looney1023]

GOD the score was so good. It was fairly operatic. The classical references and the leitmotifs really elevated the entire film for me (which I still thought was an excellent film). Peter Sarsgaard had a small but really excellent role in his wife's, Maggie Gyllenhaal's (oh wow another Batman connection how about that...), directorial debut The Lost Daughter, which came out last year. I really enjoyed that film and I think it's definitely worth your time! He was really good in this film. He sort of broke the tension in a fun way by having him be completely smitten with Selena and failing to pick her up. In a film so brooding and dark, that sort of pathetic comedy was welcome. And he's great in so many other things. Minor spoilers: . . . The film is very rooted in the idea of the system being corrupt. Selena winds up kind of representing the ACAB, rioting, kill [SPOILER] instead of handing him to the police. Batman is sort of saying "Most cops are corrupt, but Commissioner Gordon is okay". Then Gordon is sort of the one "good apple" who wants to reform the system from the inside. Batman and Gordon have this sort of buddy cop dynamic, and then he and Selena have this more fraught, ideologically incompatible (but very sexy) dynamic. I THOUGHT that was all building up to a point where Batman would have had to make the choice between Selena or Gordon to fundamentally shift towards radical reformation and cut ties with the law. But it doesn't really go there? Maybe that will be something that happens in part 2, but I think it would have made Batman REALLY have to test his own morals and really challenge the system that protected him and created the Riddler. It was still an excellent movie in my opinion, I just think it didn't quite hit the sort of character arc heights that it should have. And for a film that has multiple references to The Godfather, Zodiac, and at least one to The Shining (lol) I don't think it comes near those in terms of characterization haha.

[@cinemasprite]

Curious where you saw any reference to The Shining, was it those twins?

[@Tyler_W]

I like what you're going for, but I think there's something a bit off a bit. Batman isn't a radical revolutionary figure trying to destroy the system. That's Riddler in his own words. Even Catwoman kinda represents the "society sucksN I'm gonna get mine and peace out with no sense of duty to better the world around me (that was the big point of contention between Bruce and Selina that forces them apart after Bruce steps up his game at the end). Bruce represents a person trying to restore the natural order in an upside down world, restoring order to chaos. He might be tempted to go in the direction of Catwoman in the future, but if they continue to be true to the character, that would be something he turns away from in order to compensate for the potential flaws in his approach, not to abandon his mission altogether. Even Ra's ahl Ghul, both in Batman Begins and in comics and other media in general is the radical taking it upon himself to burn it all down out of some misguided sense of utopianism. Idk if that made sense, but I hope it did. 😆 It sounds like the Court of Owls will be a future antagonist in the series which will absolutely test Bruce's understanding of the depth of corruption and disorder in Gotham, as the Court represents a murderous secret society of Gotham's elite who take it upon themselves to manipulate the goings on of Gotham according to their own whims and for their interests as yet another excellent foil to Batman who represents, in some respects, an elite with a properly ordered and righteous disposition toward the people he chooses to help and protect. There's definitely going to be more about political corruption and perversion of justice in the series, and that's some peak Batman I can't wait to see.

[@looney1023]

@@cinemasprite It's probably a stretch, and not nearly as relevant as The Godfather references, but the taxi that gets carried into the building towards the end is numbered 237, and it's carried in by gushing water.

[@looney1023]

@@Tyler_W Yeah my take is half baked. I definitely thought the movie was going in a fully baked version of that direction though. I am excited to see the Court of Owls and Batman is tested by them. Not as excited for another Joker story. I do think the film was still missing something in terms of Batman's evolution. He seems to find his purpose as just helping people from a disaster at the end, but that's like the least controversial position that Batman could have lol

[@jonathannoble9465]

A Fincher Batman film would be so damn good! I have to say, based on the trailer, I wasn’t sold but your review has changed my mind

[@patriautism]

I love all your points. Your reviews are highly in depth I love them. Thank you so much for the content.

[@GravityFromAbove]

The score! I came home and immediately ordered the CD. Thanks Maggie.

[@thoth8784]

Gee, there's only five stories in the naked city so let's tell it again. Ahem, THE BATMAN.

[@seijunsejuki]

Five minutes into the movie I knew it was going to be my favorite Batman film. Fantastic movie.

[@twocows2403]

At first I thought it was a cheesy, soap opera POS but by the end I was thrilled that I felt like I was watching a truly new superhero movie for the first time in a decade.

[@jwood8769]

This is The best Batman movie, ever made that’s not animated. It’s the best Gotham displayed in a movie. It’s the best Batman displayed. Loved that they actually showed him being a detective. One thing I don’t like is him being called a anti hero. Where does he ever show that he is a anti hero?? He doesn’t kill his enemies, he has morals. he’s basically the just like the police just with out the badge. This movie is incredible I feel like it’s aBatman movie that we finally got that was done right, and I personally couldn’t be happier. I respect your reviews. I think you’re one of the best the best reviewers on KZbin. I just discovered you through “ The Eyes Of My Mother “ and I been binging all your other movies, either I agree or disagree I respect your opinion. Keep up the great work!

[@efcdk92]

Actually showed him as a detective but he doesn't solve anything.

[@jwood8769]

@@efcdk92 you obviously haven’t seen it with that comment

[@chrissweet6369]

Nolan's films are very flawed. His editing and dialogue are just all over the place, I found the The Dark Knight Rises to be the best of the bunch, TDK gets messy with the two face plotline, and Bane was just more menacing than the other villains in his universe.

[@woody5581]

I found TDKR to be an absolute mess. Nolan didn’t capture Gotham

[@chrissweet6369]

@@woody5581 They all are a mess, TDKR is just a less of one and it moves faster, TDK feels like a 4 hour movie, and his GOTHAM city is so so. Burton was best the to capture it

[@baraka99]

Matt Reeves did an incredibly better job in his first Batman movie than Christopher Nolan did with Batman Begins.

[@mudstyle5288]

Because he knew he couldn’t top the origin story

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

What a great review. I was thinking I'd let this one go to video so to speak, but now I want to see it.

[@thesilentknight4554]

What are your thoughts on the comic, The Killing Joke, and do you own it?🦇 I always see your watchmen novel in the background, amazing!🤗

[@woody5581]

The Killing Joke is great

[@thebatmanbadass30000]

As a Batman fan this is what I wanted btw love the dark knight trilogy and animated series. But this is just near perfect for me. The look, action, music and just overall vibe. Robert as Batman is chefs kiss for this interpretation.

[@silas1414]

This is an outstanding review. You focus on all the important elements and dig around in these topics in a really satisfying way, I really like how you use references to triangulate your perspective, you may just be the best at this.

[@raminybhatti5740]

Being a huge Batman fan in general I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It felt fresh despite it arriving on the heels of two other Batmen within a period of 10 years. Farrell's Oz stole the show for me. He was phenomenal. Jeffrey Wright's Gordon was also brilliant. Kravitz was exceptionally strong throughout. Pattinson was a better Batman than a Bruce Wayne but I guess the future films will explore the wealthy playboy aspect of the character.

[@jermainehaslam5634]

Great job on the review and I overall enjoyed the movie! Pattinson was the standout in the film for me and I really liked the coming of age aspect to the movie with Pattinson's Batman realising he needs to be more than just vengeance and show more of his humanity when protecting the civilians of Gotham, but the apes films are still my favourite films by Reeves!

[@mattjazzfan2288]

I’m surprised more people haven’t mentioned that the main theme sounds so similar to the Imperial March from Star Wars. I could actually see the John Williams estate suing Warner Bros

[@vincentsolis5149]

This review has me excited to see this. I really didn't want ANOTHER rebooted Batman movie.

[@Axel-ye8tt]

We all did so stop crying

[@4ws942]

@@Axel-ye8tt yo, people have their own opinion

[@Axel-ye8tt]

@@4ws942 nah he’s wrong

[@adarshb6708]

You talked more about TDK than The Batman.

[@marshallhughes4514]

Thank you for cluing me in on Giacchino's soundtrack. I really enjoyed it. Do you think the Riddler track sounds a little like the Godfather soundtrack in the beginning?

[@Simonious_Monk]

This film portrays time travel in a fun, not overly-serious way, and i LOVE it! When Robert Pattinson's character finds himself romantically pursued by his own MOTHER (brilliantly portrayed by Zoe Kravitz) back in the 1950s, I nearly died laughing!!! Loved loved loved Jeffrey Wright's wacky protrayal of an eccentric scientist. Using a DeLorean for the Batmobile was a fun and quirky touch. And who knew Pattinson was so good at electric guitar?!? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this film to any lover of Batman, dark gritty superhero stories, and time travel shenanigans!

[@mrv3405]

Surprised me. Didn’t expect to like it, but it worked. Have watched it at least six times. The one thing that struck me is, of all the Batman films I’ve watched, this was the first one where I questioned the costume-it’s ridiculous. Standing at a crime scene surrounded by police, it just didn’t work for me. Nevermind the police station moment where he’s unconscious and no one bothers to remove it. I repeat, I really liked the film. The ending was a bit much-kind of like: look, we’ve still got all this money left in the budget, let’s blow something up.

[@walthersorsa4847]

So far this is one of my favorite movies of the year. Great Maggie and take care and stay safe 👍.

[@M.H.I.A.F.T.]

I have to disagree with your comment about Hathaway - have you seen her in Havoc?

[@diegooliveirabenjamin]

Fuck the movie, your review is the piece of art here. Amazing

[@brianwilliams4467]

Nolan did the Scene with the guns being the light in the HallwaY scene and Batman getting closer in The Dark Knight Rises

[@jjkkddllss01]

At least you don’t have a giant glass of wine in your thumbnail image

[@capnnukasun810]

An aside bordering on the odd, but my "friends" think I watch this channel because the reviewer's looks. I watch because this is one of the best, if not the best film analysis I've found. Hyper-intelligent, incisive, introspective, and balanced.

[@dcallahan713]

Not fair to ask for a Ledger performance since 99% of most films don't have a performance like that.

[@Jackson-lo7nw]

Ok the fact that you enjoyed this gives me confidence that I’ll probably enjoy it. Having watched your Batman reviews I agree with a lot of what you’ve said. I like the first 2 Nolan movies but aesthetically, yes, it’s far too sleek and modern for Gotham. The neo-noir look in the trailer just looks spectacular! Super excited that they got Catwoman right because yeah Anne Hathaway was relatively puritan in the Dark Knight Rises. Great review!

[@Ghoulstille]

Finally someone who didn't sugarcoat the length! Thanks! Honestly for me nothing will top Batman outside of animation and comic books just because live action will never get the scope of the world 100%, to me anyway. I never had a problem with Rob Pattinson as Batman but his cowl looks very strange. The Zodiac Riddler thing is cool because I find the Zodiac fascinating in the true crime sense. I'll give it a watch eventually even though like you I wasn't feeling this movie at all.

[@anushreeperiasami3095]

She didnt say she wasnt feeling the movie. And its naive of you to conclude that before watching it

[@peanutbutterwarrior1503]

I agree with what you said about the soundtrack of the film. While I liked the dark Knight films I never really cared much for the music of them films. But with this I feel like it's hit exactly what I desired. I find it crazy as I've seen quite a few people say the soundtrack fell flat for them which I absolutely cannot understand how someone can listen to the music of this film and say it's flat. Just baffles me.

[@Suite_annamite]

Since Alfred is the Batman's batman (military servant)... has there ever been an interesting origin story for him portrayed either in film or otherwise?

[@lukess.s]

Pretty sure he's had his own spinoff prequel show for years now lol

[@bolder2009]

I worked on the Pennyworth series but I haven't watched it.

[@rae-everything]

Good review! First I've seen of yours. Looking forward to seeing more. I'm surprised that people seemed to underestimate this Batman. I saw the talent involved, and assumed it'd be a novel, exciting take on Batman.

[@gwainwright82]

I watched The Batman last night. Your review is spot on about many criteria of good storytelling, the strengths and weakness of the new Batman film. Batman films IMO= The Animated Series 9.5, The Dark Knight 9, Batman Begins 8, The Dark Knight Rises 7.5, Tim Burton's Batman 7, The Batman 6.5, Batman Returns 6.5, the other Batman films= I don't care for.

[@lordofthejungle]

On the score - the incorporation of Ave Maria was just fucking inspired. I missed that on first watching. I rewatched this at the weekend and Zoe Kravitz and Turturro do a wonderful, wonderful job, far more engaging and perilous than a lot of the Riddler stuff. Catwoman feels vulnerable but only due to how headstrong she is while being unpredictable, damaged and with loose traumatised principles as a result. Turturros' Falcone terrified me on second watching. There's something about him, that's just sick, and he seems so incredibly powerful and self assured, and he loves that about himself. It's a better and more-alive representation of Falcone (usually a Don Corleone facsimile in the comics). The movie kinda deflates after he is dealt with. And Battinson does a great job in the suit of really almost capturing like a young version of the animated series Batman. Great eye work, and the cowl shows the perfect amount of jawline to really make you think twice about throwing a punch at him. In terms of acting, he also feels kind of invulnerable and commanding and right, almost like he COULD be a bully, but is more careful and tortured by his moral ambiguity. Definitely the closest to getting Batman right in features.

[@michaeldeery9014]

Not a decent Batman film? That's the last thing we need. The Internet is going to be overrun with annoying men telling the world this is the height of film making. The Nolan stuff was just settling down.

[@paulelroy6650]

unless superhero films stop we will always have those people

[@Demention94]

I liked Paul Danos character in "There Will Be Blood". Outside of that he does often fall into sort of an abstract caricature of the person he's playing. It will be interesting to see how he handles this. Surely it won't be a Heath Ledger performance. Pattison has also proved himself to be a interesting actor in other roles. What a interesting choice for a Batman movie..

[@FollowerOfChrist144]

I appreciate the review. I also agree with a lot of what you had to say. Batman begins will always be my favorite Batman film, but I also found this movie pretty entertaining. DEFINITELY too dim.😂 I think less Catwoman , more Riddler, and about 15 minutes shaved off. That puts this movie into the favorite conversation. As it stands it definitely begins to overstay it’s welcome and come off self righteous. The one thing I disagree with, is Ann hathaway. I actually enjoyed her take. I think it was meant to appear slightly facade-ish. In that film cat woman was at odds with herself, constantly running and avoiding reality. She regularly would shift personalities mid scene depending on who she was talking to and how she felt she needed to play them as a means to an end. Her “sexy” WAS forced, because it was an act.

[@candysroom]

You're so on point about this one and the comparison to Nolan and the Animated Series. The points about the aesthetic and Se7en are so true as well - neo noir and colour is essential and those elements are often missing in the Nolan films. I do think Dark Knight is the best Batman film, but I think this one is much more what I want from a Batman film - I just wish the story were more unique and better plotted like in the Dark Knight. Pretty much agree with everything you said here! I just hope there will be a Batman which gets the beautiful neo noir urban mood of this and/or Batman Returns and the pacing and the plotting of Nolan's films. I also think more comic book films need to be taking notes from Watchmen - what you say about Batman being the ultimate virtue signaller towards the end is so true. Why do we always need to be on the hero's side?

[@vigneshsubramanian2511]

I wish you would do a video on Tim Burton Batman. I always preferred that live action wise tho I do think the best overall is the Kevin Conroy one.

[@edinshealtiel3754]

This is good advice,riddle for your type ..... When you focus on some thing you become week at your peripheral vision ....

[@carlos412]

I just finished watching this film in the movie theater. I love that you mention the soundtrack because along with the cinematography, were my absolute favorite aspects of the movie. I thought that the intro was phenomenal. Regardless of the flawed plot, it's worth the watch simply because of the artistry of it. Truly amazing shots and sequences in this movie.

[@flynnjaman]

Really glad they removed The Joker scene, because I think casting 1) Barry Keoghan who was 2) a young actor to play The Joker is a mistake. For the first time thematically, it would've made sense to cast an older actor to play The Joker. Jack Nicholson killing Keaton's parents in '89 always felt forced. In The Batman, the lack of parents/fatherhood theme is really on display: the juxtaposition of Bruce and Edward's upbringing, as well as the usual Gotham's desperate need for an accountable adult. Casting someone like Willem DeFoe to play the The Joker with the subtext as a sinister father figure, who's able to manipulate the young Dano, as well as Bruce's more cynical side, would've really tied the room together.

[@MrCornrowz]

Se7en was the stand alone movie for the Riddler in the way Joker was for the Joker.

[@DjangoPorter]

nicholas winding refn or panos casmotos would be a kool batman !!?

[@Dacho_Shaki]

I thought it was awesome. The noir-esque detective story from Batman's perspective is right up my valley. I can see why some might have an issue with the runtime, but personally, it felt to me just right with the pacing. I find the pacing in this movie to be miles better than in Dark Knight Rises with a bunch of filler that add nothing to the plot. Not sure if the movie tops Dark Knight for me, but both of them have their own flaws and merits. The Batman has a more intimate, personal take on Batman with a proper build-up, better score and choreography and Gotham City has it's own unique, grounded, broken, yet beautiful look. Dark Knight has a stronger villain, tighter script and a larger scope, and they also involved more risk to the story which adds that punch, but Gotham City pretty much looks like Chicago. But I definitely like The Batman more than Batman Begins personally. I always felt Batman Begins has a weak script saved by a huge scope with moments of grandeur and a pretty weak love interest, while The Batman has a stronger chemistry with Catwoman and doesn't waste its runtime to tell another origin story or giving us another flashback. Can't even say if The Batman tops Batman '89. I can safely say Tim Burton gave us a more mystical, mythological version of Batman, while The Batman is more personal.

[@evar1104]

You need to watch Severance, with John Turturro and Christopher Walken (among others) serving excellent work, particularly Turturro.

[@chrispin0582]

I agree that the Batman the animated series is the best version of Batman yet. What I think the live action batman's are missing is the more superhero and shadowy/scary character that we see in animation. I thought Batfleck was able to capture it a bit which I loved. They incorporate CGI with batflecks movement making him seem very shadowy and more than just a human in a suit. I want to see the Batman from the animated series when all you see is batman's white eyes and his silhouette and he moves inhuman as he takes out thugs. I don't want to see Batman struggling to take out random thugs. Any human he fights while I'm the batsuit he should dispose of easily, there should never be a struggle. That's what live action directors are missing. I disagree that the characters were colorful throughout.

[@adrianopasseri3262]

This is my second favorite Batman movie behind Batman and Robin lol The Dark Knight. The Riddler was the high light for me but I loved The Pen Gwen and Zoe Kravitz was a great Cat Women Halle Berry and Zoe Kravitz are the best ones look's wise but beside that Michelle Pfeiffer is defiantly the best one

[@thewolverine3045]

The way you articulate your review is fascinating and enjoyable.

[@tppdc1495]

It was slow and talk-ey. He didn't seem agile or anything like that. Batman Begins at least had him swoop in like a demon and vanishing like a ninja. That version made him terrifying. This version has a lot of Clint Eastwood moments in 'Unforgiven', i thought.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ7LeIx4abOXj8U

[@bencarlson4300]

The reason the Riddler (mostly) worked for me is because the film doesn’t treat him like the Joker in Dark Knight. They treat him like the kidnapper in Kurosawa’s High and Low where the kidnapper, who initially gets away and takes the ransom from the rich father, is later revealed to be a very poor and mentally unstable from likely years of abuse and/or neglect. The kidnapper is forced to live in the slums below the rich man’s mansion and feel nothing but envy and resentment at the difference in situation. He’s sad, he’s delusional, and he’s a victim of misfortune. That’s the Riddler in The Batman. He envies the wealthy and the high and uses the collective resentment of like-minded people to take revenge on the elite. He’s mentally unstable and pathetic, he was never an unstoppable force. That’s why Batman’s change at the end is so earned to me: he inspired these people to be terrorists because that’s how he’s seen. Batman can’t just be vengeance, he has to represent hope. Live what you preach, lead by example.

[@taurinserotonin9994]

You might need to compress your audio a bit or mix it, cus ngl it’s bursting out my ears. there’s tutorials and u can even get creative with the mixing and the frequencies:)

[@NelsonStJames]

From a filmmakers perspective, The Batman feels and often looks like it was made by a filmmaker. In many regards it takes what Nolan did to next level (even though I would still place The Dark Knight slightly above it). Some of the scenes in this film just stand out, and all the actors are bringing their A-game. The Batman is proof that's there's still a lot to explore and that can be done with this character even with all the films we've had over the decades.

[@filmlover1349]

Great review as always Maggie! Love hearing your honest thoughts and opinions delivered so formally!

[@radicallyindepedentauthor]

The most common complaint against the Nolan Batman action sequence was a lack of spatial awareness.

[@skyleylines9459]

I agree about the NOLAN films. I like the BATMAN's style and visuals better.

[@TheDylanHoang]

Giacchino's score is the best thing about the movie, Pattinson's performance as Batman specifically being a close second. Kravitz and Wright are also great supporting characters. It's extremely flawed for sure but I am also very excited for a second one. TDK is still my personal favorite but I will say that the flaws in Nolan's film are not at all present in Reeves'. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses and overall, I just find myself significantly more affected and drawn to Nolan's

[@leedurbin4419]

Idk i kept thinking it was one note away from darth vaders theme

[@timwilson5954]

I've got to disagree with you about his reasons for not wanting to kill. I've been a fan of batman since I was a kid and since before I'd even heard of Nietzsche, but when I read Nietzsche's aphoristic line "Be careful when you undertake to wrestle with monsters, lest you yourself become a monster," I understood clearly why Batman does not kill. It's not because he's not been tested, but because he understands that in order to be consistent with his ideals he has to be careful not to become the things that he fights against. You mentioned somewhere in your review that Batman was hypocritical, but I don't think he's so much hypocritical as just unaware (at least at the beginning) that there is a fundamental contradiction in being a crime fighter, that simply beating the shit out of the bad guys isn't too far away from being a bad guy yourself. We see this clearly portrayed in the opening scene where Batman is perplexed that the person he saved from being beaten by the gang doesn't see him as some sort of savior, but as just as much of a threat as the gang he was defending him from. In fact, I'd say that the one thing the film does well overall is provide that clear story arc for Batman. And even though, as I agree with you, we don't really get a climactic payoff between Batman and the villain (and I do see this as a failing of the film), what we do get in its place is a character developing an understanding of who he is and what he can aspire to. So, by the end of the film, instead of seeing a character who is focused on generating fear and exacting vengeance, we see one who is more thoughtful about his actions, and who is focused as much on helping the weak and the innocent and being a source of hope and inspiration for the good guys as much as a source of fear and dread for the bad guys. So overall, I enjoyed that the film focused on this aspect of the character even if it turned out to be at the expense of the overall story itself. One of the things I love about Batman is that he's a complex character who, as a vigilante, has to walk this narrow beam between being a weirdo in a bat suit who goes around beating people up and being someone to be looked up to as an upholder of justice and a bearer of light. And I think batman's no kill rule is a result of his understanding of this issue, which is something the film actually did a pretty good job of exploring if you ask me.

[@charlesderosas5577]

As I tried to really love this movie it failed to do so. First off I was highly excited for this instalment of the latest dark knight franchise after a couple of delays thanks to the covid outbreak. Watched this movie on premier night and after I finished the film . . . I was lost of words. I was expecting this to surpass the Nolan trilogy but I guess Nolan and the Burton films are still the GOATs. As Burton films remain classics the Nolan Trilogy are modern classics now. To simplify everything I wanted to point out the pros of the film. Great visuals, great cinematography, this version of Gotham is similar to the Arkam games which was a plus. Batman's detective technique was on point with the narration and devices he uses such as the scanner lenses. The cons of this was several. The acting with the main actors was at least mediocre. Zoe's dialogue was corny in the sense where I litterly fell asleep. Paul's performance as riddler was mildly underwhelming. The only one that saved it was collin farrell as penguin. Every time he's present I get excited of what he's about to do next. I don't wanna go too long with this thread but Ima rate this a 6/10. My excitement level sank during the 2nd to 3rd act of the story and this didn't need to be 3hrs. I don't mind if the pacing and story was interesting, at least the story would've got you hooked and would've made the movie faster. I just hope joker isn't the next villain for the next one since we seen too many iterations this past several years from Jared Leto to Joaquin Phoenix. No one would touch Jack Nicholson or the late great Heath Ledger.

[@rodneydungan8965]

That animated series is more adult and rich than any of the films, you're so right. Love Batman. Think I'll skip this one, first one ever, and wait for it to stream.

[@dangiambrone7350]

My main issue with this film is Batman "the Worlds Greatest Detective" is, on the one hand, smart at solving riddles, yet on the other, he is an imbecile when it comes to stealth and caution (unless he is sneaking up on Selina). We see him standing right in front of a bomb before it detonates; walk straight through the front door of a nightclub (without looking for a discreet way in), pick a fight with the armed security - which then starts a firefight with the clubs patrons in close proximity, does not detain a Penguin who's just opened fire on him and has a dead woman in his car boot; helps create a giant pileup on the motorway injuring/killing god knows how many; plants explosives on the glass roof of Gotham Garden when there's a large crowd of civilians below.... Also, this Batman will never have to upgrade his batsuit as it can take numerous gunshots at point blank, survive point blank explosions and allow him to glide, at high speed, and crash HEAD FIRST into a bridge/bus... People excuse these flaws, attributing them to this Batman's lack of experience, that "he's only in year 2", but this is nonsense. Most of the films audience are not Batman, the Worlds Greatest Detective, but almost everyone (in most age brackets) would not do the foolish, reckless things he did throughout the film, exhibiting a fundamental lack of common sense.