A Noir-Infused "Batman" from Matt Reeves

Zoe Kravitz and Robert Pattinson

There have been a lot of cinematic versions of the Caped Crusader, and since Tim Burton's 1989 blockbuster Batman, most of them have leaned towards a darker interpretation of the character, largely inspired by Frank Miller's much-celebrated graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns. But none of those previous films are as noir-ish as director Matt Reeves’ The Batman. This version of the character prowls the streets of an often rain-soaked, shadowy Gotham City that wouldn’t feel out of place in a vintage 1940s film noir or a classic crime novel. There’s also more than a hint of modern day thrillers like Seven in the script by Reeves and Peter Craig. The story is set in the second year of Batman’s career as a vigilante. The story is narrated by Batman, as he goes on his nightly quests for vengeance against criminals. That's an important distinction, as this iteration of the Dark Knight seeks vengeance, not necessarily justice, and even says in an early scene "I'm vengeance." instead of the often-quoted "I'm Batman," from previous films.

This Batman has a tenous relationship with the police, many of whom view him as a dangerous vigilante. He works with Lieutenant James Gordon, who sees the worth of having a connection with Batman, who can work outside the system to apprehend criminals. The two men are thrust into a mystery involving a serial killer who is targeting prominent Gotham politicians and public figures, leaving riddles in notes addressed to Batman at each crime scene. The villain is eventually revealed to be a twisted version of The Riddler, who claims he want to reveal the truth about Gotham's corrupt government. Batman uses his detective skills to try and to identify the killer, and figure out his ultimate goal. This brings him into conflict with a mysterious thief named Selina Kyle, and prominent members of Gotham's crime families, including mob boss Carmine Falcone and an ambitious (and shady) underground club owner named Oswald Cobblepot.

The unique visual aesthetic of The Batman (courtesy of cinematographer Greig Fraser) gives us a different version of the Dark Knight than has previously been portrayed on screen. Director Reeves has stated in interviews that he took inspiration from 1970's thrillers such as The French Connection, Chinatown and Taxi Driver, and that is reflected in the style of the film. This is a strikingly photographed, street-level version of the character, and while there are a couple of gadgets on display, it's a much less "comic-book" iteration of the Dark Knight. There's a car chase featured in the film that owes a lot more to Bullitt and The Seven-Ups than the day-glo antics of Batman Forever. The Batman also embraces a much darker version of The Riddler, whose twisted quest for his own version of justice is a twisted mirror to what The Batman is trying to achieve in his own vigilante crusade. Once the hidden truths about Gotham which The Riddler are trying to bring to light are revealed, the Dark Knight may have to reflect on what he's been doing, and figure out what being The Batman really means to him, and to his city.

The cast is superb. Robert Pattinson does a fine job as the Dark Knight, portraying the character as a haunted man who's more comfortable wearing the mask and beating up criminals than in being Bruce Wayne. He doesn't know how to live a "normal" life, and that brings him into conflict with his mentor, Alfred, his late father's bodyguard. Andy Serkis acquits himself well in the role, but has limited screen time as the character. Zoe Kravitz is terrfic as Selina Kyle, the "cat" burglar who becomes an ally to Batman on his quest, who has a few secrets (and an agenda) of her own. Kravitz and Pattinson have great chemistry, and it would be interesting to see the relationship developed further in a sequel. Paul Dano (who was excellent as a young Brian Wilson in Love and Mercy) offers a strong performance as The Riddler, who's more of an obsessed, demented killer than the humorous interpretations we've seen in the past from actors like Frank Gorshin and Jim Carrey. There's also great work from Jeffrey Wright as Lt. Gordon, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone and Colin Farrell, who's unrecognizable as Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin.

The Batman is a fascinating, noir-infused take on this classic character. Matt Reeves (who also directed two entries in the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy) has given us a different perspective on the early years of the Dark Knight. The inspiration for the film comes from works such as Frank Miller's graphic novel Year One, the 1970's back to basics comic book stories from writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams, 1970's crime films, serial killer tales like David Fincher's Seven, and even a hint of Ridley Scott's rain-soaked cityscapes from Blade Runner. The film benefits greatly from a wonderful score by Michael Giacchino, which adds to the sense of menace and dread in the story, but is also epic and romantic. The movie is a bit overlong at three hours. The story could have ended after a powerful scene between Pattinson and Dano, but it goes on for almost another half hour with a sequence that feels a bit out of place in the film, but does serve to deepen an important realization for Bruce Wayne about his ongoing role as Batman. If you're a long-time fan of the character, I think you'll appreciate The Batman. Here's a look at the trailer for the film, which is currently in theaters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqqft2x_Aa4.