I finally got the chance to see The Batman. I hate having to wait a few days because I end up trying to avoid social media or I read something that spoils something. Fortunately I managed to avoid spoilers, but I just kept seeing how everyone loved it. My excitement level was at max capacity.
The movie starts and at first I thought we were going to see a flashback with little Bruce and his family heading to the theater. I immediately became annoyed because I really wanted this movie to avoid the origin story. We all know Batman’s origin. As the MCU proved, you do not need an origin story for Spider-Man, just tell the story and call it a day.
Okay, there will be spoilers from here on out…
You have been warned!
But the scene was not the Wayne family. Instead it was the Riddler watching the mayor and then we see him murder him. This Batman movie decided to focus more on Batman’s detective skills (although, it felt like most of the stuff was solved by either Gordon or Alfred). The Riddler weaves a complex puzzle and Batman has to solve it in order to save lives.
I thought it was cool how they combined the Riddler with Hush. The look was Hush and the reported that Falcone killed had the last name Elliot. I wonder if Paul Dano’s character’s real name was Tommy Elliot. It would have been a cool change to that fantastic story. I also liked how they found a way to give Riddler henchmen without it seeming weird. He recruits like-minded people who want to take down the liars.
I was not digging the reclusive Bruce Wayne thing, but I think the sequel will see him becoming more of the playboy we normally know and love. Also, the new mayor’s push for him to do more with his wealth seems like a nice push for Bruce to make changes in the city (he said at the end that Batman needs to be more than vengeance…also funny that this seems like a direct rebuttal to all those people who criticize Batman for not spending his billions to fix Gotham’s social programs).
I loved how the fight scenes were violent, but not over the top. And even though the city ends up flooded (will we see a No Man’s Land story line in the next movie??), it was nice not having Batman trying to stop a world ending vortex. Hell, he actually does not even stop anything. He loses.
Matt Reeves definitely understands the character. When Riddler confronts Batman, he says that he knows that Bruce Wayne is the mask and that Batman is the real identity. Catwoman wants Batman to leave with her, but then she sees the batsignal and says that Batman is already promised to someone else (meaning the city). I thought the way they incorporated Catwoman’s story was well done. It was more personal knowing she was Falcone’s daughter. I would like to see her adventures in Bludhaven.
So yeah, I really liked the movie. I may need to think about where I rank all the Batman movies…probably a future post.
