Matt Reeves’ movie is leaving people wonderstruck, but they haven’t been speechless. After massive anticipation, The Batman hit the cinemas with the responsibility to deliver a grand project. According to movie-goers, it has succeeded on the assignment as smoothly as Bruce Wayne putting on his costume.
Between takes on the gothic aesthetic, Pattinson’s Batman, and innovative directing, cinema fans have taken to Letterboxd to share their views (riddles included) on the new version of the beloved Dark Knight.
Batman Sits Down, At Last
The other versions of Bruce Wayne have been mainly about fighting or partying, but not Pattinson’s. Letterboxd user patrickhwillems highlights that the most relevant aspect of the new film is that “this is finally a Batman who sits down and looks for clues in a big stack of dusty old files”.
The new version made sure not to overlook the detective aspect of the character, which is a fundamental part of the superhero since his debut. By combining Wayne’s essential features with an aesthetically pleasing approach, the acclaimed movie rings true to Batman’s origins, while making The Batman compare to dark detective movies such as Seven and Zodiac.
Highly Acclaimed
Several things make The Batman better than Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, which are some of the reasons why the new version is being talked about endlessly. Letterboxd user mistat thinks the acclaimed movie will still be a conversation topic for years to come, stating that in 100 years, “one thing that all film critics are going to agree on” is that The Batman was “peak cinema”.
Matt Reeve’s project has won box office, as well as it has already received the approval of Rotten Tomatoes, being certified “fresh”. While one cannot say whether the movie will be the topic of the century or not, it is the most popular release of 2022 so far.
Emo Dreams Come True
While Bruce Wayne’s gothic aesthetic has been a constant since the creation of the character, some might argue that the previous cinematic iterations of the Caped Crusader lacked a deeper artistical perspective when it comes to Wayne’s personality.
Letterboxd user deathproof praised the movie for its attention to aesthetics, saying that Pattinson is “the emo Batman” they have “always dreamed of”. With dark eyeshadows and a somber expression, Pattinson’s Batman is an accurate depiction of the character’s essence. The user is one of many who celebrates the appealing “emo” feature of the superhero since Wayne has never been just a playboy nor a bland vigilante. The gothic aesthetic is the core of Batman, as the new version shows.
The Nitpicks Don’t Matter At The End
As usual, each new version of the Dark Knight is compared to the portrayals that came before, and every adaptation has its highlights and flaws. While there are unpopular opinions about The Batman that mention defects, Letterboxd user nikkybeep voices that the little shortfalls “didn’t matter” in the end.
By mixing genres and playing freely with cinematic visuals, the new gritty film overcame the generic pattern of superhero movies, gaining an original identity among other titles. While some will find imperfections in every Batman, the stunning piece of art created by Reeves makes them seem irrelevant to the viewers.
The Batman Is Exactly What It Should Be
When a character like Batman has been portrayed for several decades and from a myriad of perspectives, it’s a challenge to offer both fans and cinema audiences a brand new look at one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. Reeves’ version seems to have done that since Letterboxd user lindseyromain states “this is exactly how it should be”, referring to a scene in the film where Bruce Wayne puts on sunglasses to eat blueberries.
The fact the movie is one take among many doesn’t make The Batman any less compelling and innovative, which explains why it has been abundantly popular among critics and the audience. Although fans of the Caped Crusader will hold tight to their favorite versions, this new version proves that it’s possible to show the character at his most essential form decades after his debut.
Pattinson Excels As Batman
The announcement of Robert Pattinson as the new Batman was met with depreciative jokes that have quickly dissipated once The Batman was released. Regarding the performance of the actor, Letterboxd user thejoshl wrote that Pattinson “excels at this kind of wounded, awkward, hunched, almost ghostly physicality,” with his narration funneling through the “emo angst” the user was “hoping for.”
Positive reviews like this prove that it’s not by accident that the new version has been the topic of entertainment conversation of the month. Matt Reeves’ project is being regarded as the most faithful depiction of the character by many fans because it offers an honest perspective on a grieving man, who puts on a cape and tries to deal with the intricate politics of Gotham City. That’s who Bruce Wayne is, and Pattinson understood his assignment brilliantly.
The Hours Fly By
For some, 2 hours and 56 minutes might seem too long for a movie. However, Letterboxd user sophiaplanos points out that The Batman’s runtime “flew by” and that “by the time it ended”, it left the user “wanting more”.
The film’s visuals combined with Michael Giacchino’s score are two of many aspects that make the film engaging enough for almost 3 hours. Although many classic movies have had similar runtimes, the fact The Batman can sustain itself in its runtime speaks hugely of the work Peter Craig and Matt Reeves have done.
The Camera In The Shadows Has A Deeper Meaning
Talking about Batman’s new gadget, Letterboxd user superpulse highlights that his camera is more than just technology, since it “ties directly into The Batman’s most important theme”, which is “the question of who is seen and who goes unseen in a society”.
The high-tech camera is a relevant gadget for a detective, as it is a metaphor to tackle social issues, a thing DC has been masterful in doing through the alleys and streets of Gotham City over the years. With the help of the gadget, the detective element of The Batman adds to the tone of the movie, making it a unique experience for both cinema lovers and DC fans.
Immaculate Cinematography And Score
While there are a few drawbacks, The Batman is being considered great in many ways. “Believe the hype,” Letterboxd user jaragon23 says, adding that “the desolation of Gotham oozes out of each scene through its immaculate cinematography” and it’s “injected in your veins through Giacchino’s brilliant score”.
With a popular superhero like Batman, any movie involving him would be reasonably famous. However, Matt Reeves didn’t settle for reasonable. Unlike many films of the superhero genre, The Batman is an original piece of art that combines the brilliant works of cinematographers, composers, and actors to deliver a substantial project that stands on its own. Reviews like this show the audience are thrilled to see this kind of content back on cinema screens.
Riddle Review
Edward Nashton would probably agree that there’s no better way to express oneself than through riddles. In the fashion of one of DC’s most emblematic villains, Letterboxd user justmiaslife shared their thoughts on Pattinson’s performance through a riddle review: “Who once had a sparkle, now seems to shine? In his greatest performance since Good Time?”.
Twilight jokes aside, Pattinson deserves the praise for delivering a brutally accurate Bruce Wayne. His rendition, combined with the superb performance of Zoë Kravitz, and the compelling visual and musical features result in the grand project that is Matt Reeves’ movie. The shadows of Gotham are for the Caped Crusader to lurk in, for The Batman only the earned spotlight.
