THE BATMAN (2022) – My rating: 8.7/10

“The Batman” is a superhero film based on the DC  Comics character Batman. Produced by DC Films, 6th & Idaho, and Dylan Clark Productions, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a reboot of the Batman film franchise and was directed by Matt Reeves, who wrote the screenplay with Peter Craig. Batman, who has been fighting crime in Gotham City for two years is uncovering a truckload of corruption while pursuing the Riddler, a serial killer who targets Gotham’s elite. While I am not a fan of the Batman character, I did like this dark and quiet version of the superhero a little better than some of the other actors who played this role. The Batman was decent but not great.

On Halloween, Gotham City mayor Don Mitchell Jr. (Rupert Penry-Jones) is murdered by a man calling himself the Riddler (Paul Dano). Reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson), who has operated for two years as the vigilante Batman, investigates alongside the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD). Lieutenant James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) discovers a message left for Batman by the Riddler, but commissioner Pete Savage (Alex Ferns) berates him for allowing a vigilante to enter the crime scene and forces Batman to leave.

Batman works closely with Jim Gordon as they appear only to be able to trust each other.  The plot focuses on the Riddler, who aside from being a serial killer, is obsessed with exposing the corrupt police force and has many riddles up his sleeve.  Batman and Selina also work together as they possessed the skills to have each other’s back. Both Batman and Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz) appear to be on an emotional journey. This new version of Batman is more withdrawn than any of the other Batman characters.  He seems troubled all the time and the film is extremely dark.  There are hardly any scenes that are lit.  The audience is teased throughout the film with a potential romance between Batman and Catwoman but it never really goes anywhere.  As the crime mystery unravels, Batman becomes a much softer character and is finding his purpose to get out of the rut, stay in Gotham, work on Bruce Enterprises, and be a more powerful Batman.  The three-hour run time caused me to take a few very deep sighs but the director kept it moving.  Overall I liked this Batman and think Pattinson was a good choice.  While I never was a real fan of Batman, I believe I can live with this one who had more special effects and more appeal. The story featured nothing new and Batman’s quest to find who killed his parents was still lurking in the background.  I’m not crazy about “The Batman” however, I plan to see all of the upcoming sequels.

As of March 10, 2022, The Batman has grossed $172.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $145.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $318.2 million.  On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Batman holds an approval rating of 85% based on 410 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “A grim, gritty, and gripping super-noir, The Batman ranks among the Dark Knight’s bleakest — and most thrillingly ambitious — live-action outings.”The Batman” is now in theaters — Check It Out!

[THE BATMAN is Oscar-nominated for BEST: Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, and Visual Effects totaling 3 nominations]