The Batman 2022
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In my childhood, I canβt remember if I gave any special attention to Batman. I used to wonder what the significance of his being in a team of colossal superheroes was. But after watching Chris Nolanβs epic Dark Knight trilogy and exploring DC animated movies (Gotham Knight, Long Halloween, Under The Red Hood, Dark Knight Returns, Mask of The Phantasm), I suddenly came to realize what that unstoppable impact was that Batman created through his every appearance and ideology. Not everyone needs a superpower to become a superhero. But it takes unstoppable force and an immovable spirit, and it may cost your life or your loved ones. The idea is to be a symbol. Batman can be anybody. That is the point. You get to learn to hide your anger and practice smiling in front of a mirror. Itβs like wearing a mask. Chris Nolan left such a legacy and a benchmark that can be delivered once in a lifetime. History may repeat itself. But not this one. People will cherish this epic saga for a long time, and it will remain a source of massive inspiration throughout our day-to-day struggle.
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That everlasting persona Bruce Wayne achieved during his reformation in Raβs al Ghulβs den teaches the most significant motto behind the idea of Batman. People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy, and Bruce Wayne canβt do that as a man. As a man, he is flesh and blood. He can be ignored, he can be destroyed, but as a symbol, he can be incorruptible, he can be everlasting.
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As Alfred taught us, we fall only to rise. That unconditional love Batman got from Alfred, even in the darkest period of his life, makes us love to think everybody deserves an Alfred in their life. There is a moment in Justice League Synder Cut when Batman says to his friends, βThis is Alfred. I work for him.β This single line proves how loyal these two guys are to each other. Alfred influences Batman in every possible way; he motivates, guides, and most importantly, serves as the father figure that Bruce Wayne desperately needs.
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That intense, breathtaking clash between Batman and Joker in the interrogation scene made us question the core principles of civilization. Are we truly more civilized and morally developed than other forms of life, or do we simply act cleverly to conceal the true nature of our survival instinct: eat or be eaten? When we look at our surroundings from a certain distance and see things according to Jokerβs perspective, once for a moment, we may think these so-called civilized people are only as good as the world allows them to be. When the chips are down, they will eat each other. Maybe he is not a monster, but just ahead of the curve.
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When Bruce Wayne made that climb without a rope, it made us believe in the most fundamental survival instinct of every living thing: the fear of death. With no rope, it was do or die for Bruce Wayne. That is the ultimate weapon if we want to cross our threshold. Fear of death does not make us weak; it makes us strong enough to push the boundaries beneath our limits.
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We got a reality check in the final act of Dark Knight Rises when Batman says to Gordon, βA hero can be anyone, even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat on a young boyβs shoulders to let him know that the world hadnβt ended.β Heroes do exist in real life. They may not have fancy cars, nice houses, or talk smartly. Certainly, they canβt fly or kill dozens of people with the snap of their finger. But when the time comes and the situation demands it, they wonβt hesitate to go any further to save their loved ones.
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We β90s kids wonβt forget this all-time classic trilogy from Nolan. For those who have experienced it in-depth, it becomes a part of their thinking. Seeing Heath Ledger as the Joker was undoubtedly one of the finest cinematic experiences, and I can bet on anything, there will be no repetition of that phenomenon. That final act of The Dark Knight proves that perfection does exist. But only once a century. Itβs a timeless gem for the cinema industry, and cinephiles across the world will always be grateful for that.
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Zack Synderβs version of Batman is controversial (Batman v Superman). I canβt blame people if they donβt get connected with it. It was heavily dependent on comic book references. At first, I didnβt like it either. But as I began to drive deep into the DC animated universe, I realized how enthusiastic and phenomenal Ben Affleck was. This guy did his best and deserves no hatred at all. His physique is top-notch, his fighting skills are superb, and his brutality knows no bounds. He is straight out of Dark Knight Returns, one of the best DC animated films ever made. This old version of Batman is a visual representation of how far he can go to protect what he thinks is right. Even the most powerful ones get scared when they feel that level of dedication.
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Batman: Under The Red Hood portrays a diabolical villain who knows Batmanβs every move. The conversation between Batman, Joker, and Red Hood hits us with that age-old debate that we have been searching for an answer to ever since we grew up. Will we keep doing the right work without considering the consequences, or should we bend ourselves to maintain the right outcome? He can be an outcast. But he can make the choice that no one else can make, the right choice. People will hate Batman for it, but thatβs the point of Batman.
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Back in 2019, people on the internet started to troll the Twilight star for being cast as the new Batman. People canβt believe his skinny, chocolate boy image can suit the caped crusader. But guess what? From a vampire glittering in the sun, now turned into a bat, we grew up. What a lucky time to be alive! My vengeance, Robert Pattinson, has arrived with absolute perfection. And, with all due respect to the Nolanverse and the Synderverse, I dare to say it is the most brutal, ruthless, and perfect live-action adaptation of Batman you could ever want. At least I didnβt expect that level of perfectionism from Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson. They surprised us in every way that we, as Batman fans, could hope for. As the producer of the film stated, it is darker than Dark Knight, deadlier than No Time to Die and longer than Dune, with a serious-minded Batman stand-alone of his own.
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Matt Reevesβs Batverse is the ideal combination of gritty action and neo-noir thrills. It is completely different than any other live-action adoption. Still, it remains true to the comic materials (especially Long Halloween) and gives an Arkham Games vibe. The action sequences are grounded and give us a seminal horror vibe. The background music is perfectly blended with the scenes. βSomething in the Wayβ by Nirvana is an excellent choice for sure. Kudos to music composer Michael Giacchino. The screenplayβs pacing is extremely controlled, and the unfolding pattern of the plot reminds us of Zodiac. We donβt get the typical action-packed third act here, but a necessary character arc for the sake of the Gotham people. Batman does not mean only vengeance; he is more than that. He is the symbol of hope that the people of Gotham most need.
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The cinematography is top-notch. Hats off to Greig Fraser for his terrific job as a cinematographer. He even outperforms himself when compared to Dune. Color grading makes the whole sequence more real and appealing at the same time. Color contrast and palette are sensitively handled to push the audience in a subtle way so they can focus on what they need to go along with the story. Set design and color shading make Gotham feel like an entirely different world and an individual character, where the co-existence of Batman and Riddler is inevitable. This city deserves both of them. Because when a city is corrupted like this, the origins of Batman and the Riddler are the most obvious things an audience can demand.
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The opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the film. It lives up to the dialogue βFear is a toolβ. A bat signal hits the sky and we get the gloomy Batman voice telling us, βThey think Iβm hiding in the shadows, watching, waiting to strike. But I am the shadows.β And suddenly, local street thugs get frightened and start to run. He does not belong in the shadows; he owns them. That entrance scene defines Batman; he may not be the most powerful, but certainly the most terrifying, and even his allies (shadows) can cause mental chaos in criminalsβ hearts. This time, Batman is more flexible with his suit. Deadly in hand-to-hand combat, he can jump or walk in any direction he intends to. His armor, made of high-tech materials, makes him able to go anywhere at any time, even when a series of firing bullets doesnβt seem to cause any trouble for him. Every time Batman enters, he makes such an impact that his aura blows away the entire scene. His screen presence is at its best. An unstoppable-fearing tool that can haunt you even in your sweetest dreams at night. The Batmobile seems like a mechanical beast. That Batmobile engine starting and chase scene is one of the finest well-choreographed action sequences Iβve witnessed in a cinema hall.
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Paul Dano as the Riddler is terrifying and scares the hell out of people. His activities are more spiritual than materialistic. You can kill him, or lock him up in Arkham Asylum. But his persona is far more superior than that. Even if he is not directly involved, it can cause chaos and devastate an entire city. The Riddlerβs portrayal is directly inspired by Se7en, but in its unique way. Colin Farrellβs portrayal of Penguin is unrecognizable. His expression, teeth, and accent are completely different than in any of his other films, thanks to the tremendously precise prosthetic makeup he used in the film. The Academy Award for makeup in 2023 already has a winner.
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Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman is cunning enough to survive in a city like Gotham. She is sexy, sharp, and does exactly what she needs to do for survival. She develops a self-centered moral code that may deviate from the norm to some extent. Itβs not your typical female side character from a superhero film. Her claws and smoky cat eyes make her the best choice for this gray-zoned role. Jeffrey Wright as Gordon is fine enough. He shares a pretty good understanding with Batman. With all of his limitations as a GCPD member, he still manages to help his vigilante friend.
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There are certainly better action-packed, entertaining superhero films released every year. Creating a multiverse, getting multiple cameos, or signing a dozen future movie contracts. Sure box office success with a 1 billion-plus worldwide collection. No need to talk about the impossible hype going on in every corner of the world. I enjoy them fully and like to discuss fan theories in detail and join the hype with the crowd. But no other character is as relatable as Batman is. As Zack Snyder perfectly quoted, βBatman is all of us. He is our rage at injustice. He stands alone, as we all wish we could, in the face of a corrupt system which wishes to oppress and exploit. He is that broken child, searching the dark alleys of the human soul to bring balance to the worldβ. Hats off to Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson for giving us the best portrayal of Batman. If it is not the best superhero movie ever made, it is surely the second best after Dark Knight. Hail to Batmanβs supremacy. He is and will be the best superhero of all time, and Matt Reeves is going to make the best superhero trilogy of all time. Fingers crossed.
