I love a good Batman film, from Michael Keaton and his first two ventures with Tim Burton, then diving right into the Christopher Nolan trilogy with Christian Bale and those game-changers in the modern era. Ben Affleck was acceptable enough, despite another Snyder style over substance setup, and now it’s Robert Pattinson‘s turn as Bruce Wayne, did you know his origin story yet…?
First up, if your reaction is still ‘sparkly vampire’ to Pattinson, then you’re in the right place to get up-to-date with this highly versatile actor and, let’s be frank, that was over 10 years ago. If you’re concerned about his depth, check out the likes of Good Time, The Lighthouse, The Rover and even David Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars and Christopher Nolan’s Tenet – he’s a first class talent, it’s time to get over the past.
2022’s The Batman is directed by Matt Reeves, who you might know for the Cloverfield film, the remake Let Me In plus the excellent duo of Dawn Of/War for the Planet of the Apes, which tells you a lot about his credentials as well. Dark, tough and all-encompassing worlds that aren’t afraid to get violent should it fit the narrative, and if The Batman trailers we’ve seen so far (see below) are anything to go by, it’s going to get brutal for the Bats with the essences of the graphic novels The Long Halloween (Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb), Zero Year (Scott Snyder/James Tynion IV with art from Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and Rafael Albuquerque) and Frank Miller/David Mazzucchelli‘s Year One all touted as influences.
Reeves’ film also takes us back to a younger Bruce/Bat, where we’re only in the second year of him fighting the scum and villainy of Gotham, so he should have a nice balance of vengeance brewing in those veins, as well as a desire to use his detective skills along the way, oh and a newly found alliance with Jim Gordon, played here by the excellent Jeffrey Wright. It’s not just Wright on board either, there’s a plethora of superb talent including Zoe Kravitz as Selena Kyle, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot, Andy Serkis as Alfred, plus Peter Sarsgaard, Jayme Lawson, Barry Keoghan, John Turturro, and more!
Using the tagline “It’s not just a call… It’s a warning.” tells us a lot about the approach of this film, it feels like there’s no time for chat, we’re deep in the action to get results. However they develop. And, of course, with ‘sadistic machinations’ being central to the plot – via Nashton’s The Riddler we assume and cryptic clues, it has a shadowy figure of Zodiac and Se7en lingering around the scenes and staircases. Director of Photographer Greig Fraser brings his vast experience to proceedings, boasting Dune, Rogue One, Lion, and Zero Dark Thirty (amongst others) on his resume, and then there’s the pure brilliance of Michael Giacchino on composing duties who, no pressure, has never let me down thus far.
So, what can we expect? I think that’s simple. DC haven’t been coy with their marketing for this, and we all know they love the darker elements of superheroes and classic titles. Matt Reeves‘ The Batman looks brutal, gritty and peppered with full-on fight sequences and a deep dive into the curious corners of the grimy crime of Gotham, and I’m definitely here for it! Now, enjoy the trailers and a host of images below (and even more stills here)… and let me know in the comments what elements you’re looking forward to!
critical popcorn 