Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Jeffery Wright, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, John Turturro, Andy Serkis
My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% Critics, 87% Audience
Description: “Batman ventures into Gotham City’s underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.”
Short Version:
So I am not a Batman fan, but it was available to me for free, so I watched. Frankly, I was a little bored with the film. It’s pacing was odd, it had a hard time holding onto its stakes, and my attention wandered. I thought it had great bones and the potential for more, but it was only during the flood that I got hooked in, and that was like 2 hours into the film.
Long Version:
Batman, as a franchise, has never been my favorite super hero to follow. His aversion to true emotion and general guise of nonchalance stunt his ability to grow as a character, which is why the villains and sidekicks often outshine the title character in his films. Unfortunately, this film fell into that same trap, having Bruce only react to specific triggers that hint at what he is truly feeling, but never giving a window into his head, it relies to much on grand theatrics and intrigue to push through the film, without giving viewers a solid anchor in their main character. It may just be me, as I react well to shows that are intrinsically character-over-plot driven, but I needed more than dark and broody to keep me interested. (Sidebar: If Selena was onscreen, I was there. And even the Riddler held my attention, its just Bruce.)
I did however enjoy some of the cinematography used in the film. Right from the start, looking at the world through the Batman mask was an interesting framing to shape how we, as a viewer, enter the narrative. That finessed touch continues through the coloration of the film, carrying a visual theme through the the film with the black and yellow coloration that made the movie feel like it was a sepia-photograph. The film tilts so far into the dark side that it was often hard to distinguish the detail on screen, making it easier from Bruce to move through shadows.
There is a flip side to this, however, and that is when the SFX fail the film in slightly comical ways. Most notably when Batman was gliding with his faux-wings. It made me giggle a little because it was slightly reminiscent of MJ’s hair going the wrong way in Toby McGuire’s “Spider-Man” films.
Overall, I think this film was designed with a targeted audience in mind. This is a man’s film, from the decadent way Selena Kyle is shown and interacts with the camera to the emo-tendencies of our protagonist, it is deeply masculine. Add to that the plot wrapping around a string of horrifying murders and multiple scenes of actions and violence, it is made for the male gaze. I would love to see a Batman movie with a woman in the directors seat. Since, ya know, this is a character that never dies.
Favorite moments:
- The “thumb” drive and Alfred’s aversion to it.
- Catwoman’s repelling into the crime scene
- The police officers trying to unmask batman
- The officer telling Batman how to escape
- The car chase with Batman and Penguin
- Selena grabbing the money and revving out of the botched exchange
- Selena’s reaction to the voicemail of her friend.
- Bruce swinging through the crowd to cut the hanging wire
- The moment the bombs all begin to fire, with the riddler miming the explosions from his cell.
- The discussion of what it means to be an orphan.
- Bruce’s reaction to finding out Alfred was hurt.
- Selena’s choice to leave
All images belong to the movie and production company. Thanks for dropping in, see you later this week!
Megan’s Musings 