Film review: The Batman (15)

My hopes were high for The Batman after what looked like top choices on both the director and cast – and, thankfully, it delivers big time.

With a dark detective-like storyline, an incredible sound track, a brutally brilliant Batman and perhaps the best version of The Riddler yet, Matt Reeves has delivered a truly great film for DC fans.

And that’s without mentioning Catwoman and some of the excellent action sequences in a Batman film that ranks among the best to involve the Dark Knight.

Although I felt Ben Affleck’s brieft stint in the role was under-appreciated (especially if you’ve taken the time to watch Justice League’s Snyder Cut), Robert Pattinson’s debut as the Caped Crusader is excellent.

Playing a reclusive Bruce Wayne in the second year of his “experiment” to take on the role of a masked vigilante, he comes across as very intense and ever so slightly tapped.

Using his detective talents way more than previous iterations of the character, he’s also seen mostly as Batman here – with Bruce taking a back seat.

Gotham City feels even darker then ever here, with corruption rife and Batman – who is allowed into police operations by Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) – in the overworked and under-appreciated stage of his ‘development’.

However, he’s pulled more into the limelight by a series of brutal murders and the clues that are left personally for him at the scene.

That’s right, The Riddler (Paul Dano) is the big bad here and he’s much more disturbing than ever before.

I’ll not spoil what he’s up to, but some of the murders feel like they’d be more at home in a Saw film, offering The Batman a sense of horror that feels a lot more visceral than we’ve seen before.

Dano’s Riddler is an absolute revelation and is perhaps the most memorable enemy since the late Heath Ledger’s take on Joker in the Dark Knight (2008).

It becomes a personal crusade for Batman, who is feared on the streets and often leaves a few more punches on his enemies than he really needs to.

Indeed, Pattinson’s version of the Dark Knight is incredibly imposing and is always accompanied by a booming new theme that perfectly matches his personality.

Helping Batman at differing interludes is Zoë Kravitz’s Selena Kyle/Catwoman.

Not only does Kravitz look great in a role she seems made for, but she also offers a more intense take on the character and dovetails with Pattinson beautifully.

Also nailing their roles are Colin Farrell, John Turturro and Andy Serkis as Penguin, Carmine Falcone and Alfred respectively.

Farrell’s Penguin is a much more realistic take on the iconic villain and shares one of the most memorable action scenes of the movie as he bids to outrun Batman, who is driving an absolutely awesome take on the Batmobile (the engine sounds insanely good).

He’s perhaps not as prominent as you’d expect, but I’m sure more is to come from the character.

Overall, this is an absolute must-see film that is accessible to al – fan of Batman or not.

Voice Verdict: 9.5/10 (reviewed at Boston Savoy)

SHOWTIMES
Boston Savoy
(Friday, March 11 to Thursday, March 17)

THE BATMAN (15)
10am (Sat/Sun), 12pm (Sun/Wed), 2pm (Sat/Sun), 3pm (daily), 4pm (not Sat), 4.15pm (Sat), 5.30pm (Mon/Tues/Wed), 6pm (not Mon/Tues/Wed), 7pm (daily), 8pm (daily)

DOG (12A)
11am (Wed), 8.15pm (Thurs), 8.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 9pm (Mon/Tues/Wed)

UNCHARTED (12A)
1pm (Wed), 3.20pm (Fri/Thurs), 5.45pm (Sat/Sun), 6pm (not Sat/Sun), 8.45pm (daily)

THE DUKE (12A)
12.30pm (Sun), 1pm (Sat), 1.15pm (Wed), 1.30pm (Mon/Tues), 3.15pm (Mon/Tues/Wed), 3.45pm (Fri/Sat/Thurs), 6pm (Thurs), 6.15pm (Fri/Sat/Sun)

SING 2 (U)
10am (Sat/Sun), 12.30pm (Sat/Sun), 2.30pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun), 3.30pm (not Sat/Sun)

ROH RIGOLETTO 2021-22 SEASON (12A)
2pm (Sun)

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – SEOUL: LIVE VIEWING (PG)
8.45am (Sat), 12.45pm (Sat)

MICHAEL BALL & ALFIE BOE: BACK TOGETHER IN CINEMAS (PG)
1.30pm (Mon), 4.30pm (Mon), 7.30pm (Mon)

CLIFF RICHARD – THE GREAT 80 TOUR (12A)
1.30pm (Tues), 4.30pm (Tues), 7.30pm (Tues)

FLEETWOOD & FRIENDS (12A)
12pm (Wed), 4pm (Wed),
7pm (Wed)

SUBTITLED SHOWING
UNCHARTED (12A)
8.45pm (Mon)

SILVER SCREEN
THE DUKE (12A)
11.30am (Wed)

KIDS’ CLUB
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG (PG)
9.45am (Sat), 10.15am (Sat/Sun)

SUPPORTIVE SCREENING
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG (PG)
10am (Sun)

PARENT AND BABY
THE DUKE (12A)
11am (Wed)