The Batman (2022)
★★ — The Batman (2022)
Matt Reeves came to The Batman off the back of his well-regarded War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), and Warner Bros. handed him considerable creative latitude to reimagine the character from scratch, separate from the existing DC Extended Universe. The film went before cameras in early 2020, only to be shut down almost immediately by the Covid-19 pandemic, eventually completing principal photography in early 2021 across locations in Liverpool, London, and Chicago (the latter doubling convincingly for Gotham). For Robert Pattinson, the role marked a deliberate pivot toward mainstream blockbuster territory after a run of idiosyncratic arthouse work with directors like Robert Eggers and Claire Denis. At a reported $185 million, the budget was substantial but not unusual for a comic book tentpole by this point in Hollywood's superhero era.
A huge disappointment. Robert Pattinson just doesn't convince as Batman. The brooding, moody vibe feels more forced than compelling, and I never felt like he truly embodied the character. The Riddler, meanwhile, isn’t remotely threatening or anywhere NEAR as good as the Jim Carey version. His plot is more confusing than sinister, and his motivations lack any real depth. At nearly three hours, the film drags far longer than it should. I actually fell asleep in the cinema and had to force myself to rewatch it later. It’s a slog with some nice cinematography, sure, but it gets bogged down in its own self-importance. A lot of style, not enough substance. Definitely not the fresh take the franchise needed.
Rating: ★★ | Year: 2022 | Watched: 2025-04-10
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel · ITVX Premium
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK
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