A Perfection Came True

It has been proven since the last decade and before that out of most superhero adaptations, Batman was possibly the hardest task to achieve. Given the history of the character, the depiction of all the elements has always been an immense job to pull off. Most of the takes on Batman faced heavy criticism from both comic and non-comic book enthusiasts. Even until last week, Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy was considered to be the best live-action Batman. However, 2022 The Batman directed by Matt Reeves only just delivers the Batman everyone has been longing for.

Synopsis

The film dives headfirst into the heart of Gotham City, overrun by corruption and the dirty secrets of its people. For the first time, the audience is given a villain who is born out of the sheer torment of Gotham. The difference between those in power and those who are powerless is astounding. While the rich and corrupt thrive, the impoverished and honest are subjugated. The film gives us two very different results of the city’s torment. One is a force for good while the other is an evil, out to fix what’s broken in his way.

Insight

Batman is one of the oldest comic book characters in history. Before becoming the heroic Dark Knight of Gotham, he donned the persona of a detective solving mysteries and defeating evil. Bruce Wayne was first introduced through the issues of Detective Comics where he was the main protagonist until other superheroes like Superman were incorporated and Detective Comics became DC comics. This in result turned the detective into a full-time crime-fighting vigilante now known as Batman.

It is safe to say that Batman has gone through one of the complex story developments over the years. With so many traits to the character, adapting him onto the big screen alongside other superheroes, was certainly difficult. What makes Bruce Wayne or Batman stand out from most comic book characters, are the psychological elements in his storyline. While he is not fighting aliens and demons alongside gods and deities, he is the fearless protector of Gotham. No superpowers but only guts and wits, Batman consists of a very different mindset and has gone through various psychological torments and lessons to become who he is.

Matt Reeves captured this psychological aspect of Bruce Wayne becoming the Batman all know and love with perfection. This rendition depicted in the new film is the culmination of the 1930s detective and the heroic, more popular Batman in the comics. While not too heavily reliant on action sequences, it is a perfectly balanced down to earth tale of a vigilante, relatively new in the business. The plot also gives a glimpse of The Dark Knight of Gotham the future beholds. Through toil and trouble, despair and sacrifices, the path for a Batman Gotham needs are paved.

The film essentially holds a PG-13 rating which perhaps acts as a restraint in this case. However, it still doesn’t shy away from portraying the dark and gritty tone of the overall setup and the violence to tell the story. The sadism of a demented killer and the urge of the righteous is a perfect blend and harmonises with the cinematography blissfully. Speaking of the cinematography, it is probably the best out of all Batman films. Beautifully done shots which carry the gravity of the plot and keep the audience enchanted with astonishing tales. Here the audience will find how the embodiment of fear and vengeance becomes the knight in shining armour in Gotham’s darkest of times in the most endearing way.

Robert Pattinson, when cast as Bruce Wayne, met severe criticism from the people. However, with his performance, he has proven that he is more than worthy to live up to the name of Batman. It can be said with confidence that nobody has ever seen the Bat like this before. Zoe Kravitz absolutely shined as Catwoman. Paul Dano’s portrayal of Riddler can leave the viewers spellbound. It can also be said that Pau Dano lived up to the legacy left behind by Heath Ledger’s Joker. Colin Farrell as Penguin and Jeffrey Wright as Gordon deserve praises for their performance albeit being side characters in the movie.