#Batman thumbs up movie#

It’s an elaborate car chase and chain-reaction crash ending with an upside-down shot of fiery fury that literally had me applauding during my screening. The coolest Batmobile yet-a muscular vehicle that’s straight out of “ Mad Max: Fury Road”-figures prominently in one of the movie’s most heart-pounding sequences. Despite the overlong running time of nearly three hours, this is a film that’s consistently viscerally gripping. This is not to say that “The Batman” is a downer far from it. But there’s nothing amusing about his portrayal Dano makes you feel as if you’re watching a man who’s truly, deeply disturbed. He goes to extremes here in a way that’s reminiscent of his startling work in “ There Will Be Blood.” His derangement is so intense, you may find yourself unexpectedly laughing just to break the tension he creates. And Paul Dano is flat-out terrifying as The Riddler, whose own drive for vengeance provides the story’s spine. Colin Farrell is completely unrecognizable as the sleazy, villainous Oswald Cobblepot, better known as The Penguin. Andy Serkis-Caesar in Reeves’ “Apes” movies-brings a paternal wisdom and warmth as Alfred. John Turturro is low-key chilling as crime boss Carmine Falcone. Jeffrey Wright is the rare voice of idealism and decency as the eventual Commissioner Gordon. She’s part of a murderer’s row of supporting performers, all of whom get meaty roles to play. Following her lead role in Steven Soderbergh’s high-tech thriller “Kimi,” Kravitz continues to reveal a fierce charisma and quiet strength. This is no flirty, purring Catwoman: She’s a fighter and a survivor with a loyal heart and a strong sense of what’s right. She is his match, physically and emotionally, every step of the way. Pattinson and Kravitz have insane chemistry with each other. So when he first spies on the impossibly sexy Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle, slinking into her leather motorcycle gear and shimmying down the fire escape in her own pursuit of nocturnal justice, there’s an unmistakable flicker of a charge in his eyes: Ooh. Even more than Christian Bale in the role, Pattinson is so skilled at making his beautiful, angular features seem unsettling. But at night, you can see the rush he gets from swooping in and executing his version of vengeance, even beneath the tactical gear and eye black.Īs he’s shown in pretty much every role he's taken since “Twilight” made him a global superstar in 2008, working with singular auteurs from David Cronenberg to Claire Denis to the Safdie brothers, Pattinson is at his best when he’s playing characters who make you uncomfortable. “But I am the shadows.” In the harsh light of day, Pattinson gives us hungover indie rock star vibes.

“They think I’m hiding in the shadows,” he intones in an opening voiceover. He’s two years into his tenure as Batman, tracking criminals from on high in Wayne Tower-an inspired switch from the usual sprawl of Wayne Manor, suggesting an even greater isolation from society. This is Travis Bickle in the Batsuit, detached and disillusioned. This is not the dashing heir to a fortune prowling about, kicking ass in a cool costume. The script from Reeves and Peter Craig forces this hero to question his history as well as confront his purpose, and in doing so, creates an opening for us as viewers to challenge the narratives we cling to in our own lives.Īnd with Robert Pattinson taking over the role of Bruce Wayne, we have an actor who’s not just prepared but hungry to explore this figure’s weird, dark instincts.

#Batman thumbs up movie#

This is a Batman movie that’s aware of its own place within pop culture, but not in winking, meta fashion rather, it acknowledges the comic book character’s lore, only to examine it and reinvent it in a way that’s both substantial and daring. He accomplishes here what he did with his gripping entries in the “Planet of the Apes” franchise: created an electrifying, entertaining spectacle, but one that’s grounded in real, emotional stakes. And yet, despite these touchstones, this is unmistakably a Matt Reeves film.