The Batman | Review

This Batman was by far one of the most controversial and highly anticipated DC Comic films (not connected to Zack Snyder‘s disastrous DCEU) to premiere in a long time. Though many of us did like Ben Affleck’s take on the cape crusader the movies he appeared in left a lot to be desired. That was until we saw the first glimpse of the new Batman, a somehow darker gloomier version backed by Nirvana‘s Something in The Way setting the tone.

Loosely based on “The Long Halloween, The Dark Victory, Batman: Earth One, and slightly nod to Batman: Year One, this gritty version starts in the second year with a dark rainy version of Gotham on Halloween as we see a dark figure move through the crowd. We quickly move through the city flashing through the many crimes taking place around this time. We end on a gang with face paint and what looks like a new recruit with half of his face painted, who’s tasked to assault strangers as his initiation. As an innocent exits the train the entire gang exit and corner him, as the recruit with the half-painted face prepares to assault the man they suddenly stop. It’s here that the sound true bring this scene to life, the soft tone of the theme songs with thunderous footsteps.

It’s here where the scene turns brutal, Batman begins to beat the gang through point blank gunshots and punches. Only sparring the man with the half face painted, whom oddly seems to be happy to see him.

Batman/Bruce Wayne:

Selina Kyle

Lt. James Gordon:

The Penguin/ Oswald Cobblepot

Penguin or “Oz” as he is liked to be called, is more sidekick than the completely realized gangster he is presumed to be in this version. Which is much preferred to the bumbling idiot he is normally portrayed as. In this version, Oz comes across as a bit psychotic. This of course plays into the first-hand man of Carmine Falcone, one of the most ruthless mobsters in Gotham’s history. But Oz doesn’t seem the be the smartest of the crew which has both helped him and hurt him.

Batman/Catwoman’s relationship:

Batman/Gordan relationship:

Unlike any other live-action adaptations, this time around they have a buddy cop relationship. Which borders on “good cop, bad cop” at times when dealing with interactions they both perform. Gordon is less of a sidekick that helps him and more of a partner that helps him solve the crime. Unlike other live-action appearances, where he is more of an afterthought, he actively helps solve the crimes they come across as a trusted partner. So of which neither would solve without the other. Gordon is more like a Robin, a trusted friend. All be it he still doesn’t know who Batman is yet.

The Batmobile:

The Batmobile, like Batman, has a menacing entrance, the roar of the engine strikes fear in all who can’t quite figure out what it is they are looking at. The car chase is amazing, and considering like the Nolan it’s designed to be a tank, all be it built from a sports car frame. It stands to reason why it holds up to the chaos it causes in the short time it’s used.

Pros:

• The Penguin’s portrayal is miles above the original appearance in Batman Returns.
• Brilliant soundtrack
• Batman is closer to the original concept from the comics source material than ever before.
• Batman’s entrance.
• The Batmobile’s entrance.

Cons:

• Very minimal gadgets.
• The overall look of the Bat-suit.
• The Joker cameo.
• Batman’s relationship with the police department.
• Bruce Wayne.
• The Batmobile’s

Final Verdict: See it now, see it in IMAX.