The Batman (Film Review)

2022 Warner Bros. Pictures
Directed by: Matt Reeves; Written by: Matt Reeves and Peter Craig
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell
MPAA Rating: PG-13; Running Time: 176 Minutes
The Nicsperiment Score: 8/10

Gotham City is a cesspool of crime and corruption. From the petty criminal on the street, to the mayor of the city, everyone's hands are dirty. Thankfully, Gotham has Batman to protect it. Well...not really. This Batman is only a year into crime-fighting action, and has one thing on the mind: vengeance. Still reeling from the death of his parents, and with his real identity as Bruce Wayne less than an afterthought, Batman only wants to strike fear into the hearts of Gotham's evil-doers, and beat the ones he can get his hands on to a pulp. He only seems to be raising Gotham's already considerable level of fear rather than alleviating it. As crime bosses like Carmine Falcone and Oswald "Penguin" Cobblepot only seem to grow more powerful, and citizens like the catburgling Selina Kyle barely get by, another terror arises: The Riddler. This living nightmare is murdering Gotham's leading figures, leaving behind rhyming clues and Zodiac-like cryptograms, and revealing all of the city's dirty secrets. Can Batman even figure out The Riddler's dastardly plans, let alone foil them, while somehow finding a reason to exist beyond doling out terror and punishment? Does Superman wear his underwear on the outside?
In a way, every Batman film since Tim Burton's first 1989 foray has been a product and reflection of its time. Fitting that 2022's The Batman is shrouded in gloom, featuring a rainy Gotham drenched in darkness, always seeming just a bit out of focus. The production values at this grim Gotham's service are top notch. Greig Fraser's film noir-inspired cinematography is incredibly immersive, while Michael Giacchino's score is equal parts ominous and rousing. Stalking this Gotham City like an angry tweet made flesh, Robert Pattinson imbues this 2022 Batman with one-track minded rage, intent to punish every criminal in front of him like they're the one who murdered his parents. If there was nothing more to The Batman than that and a twisty plot, this would be a pretty one-note film. With a thoughtful writer/director like Matt Reeves behind the camera, though, thematic depth is expected, and by the end, The Batman delivers.
Did this film need to last three hours to deliver, though? I'm still not sure. If the crushing darkness and despair isn't enough to keep the kids away, the 176 TikTok-length running time and complex, patiently developing plot surely will. However, while I do think The Batman would be better served by going to credits immediately after its most potent image, ten minutes before the credits actually roll, it's tough to argue that every minute before that image occurs doesn't add value to this film. Though Batman's moniker, "The World's Greatest Detective," is explored here more than in any previous film, the action scenes and fight choreography are top-notch, and perfectly placed to keep the film's pace humming. It's also tough to argue against that dark atmosphere, when it turns out to be such a captivating catalyst for The Batman's major themes.  The verdict is still out on whether this entry will stand the test of time like 2008's The Dark Knight, but one thing is clear: after arriving home at midnight from my first viewing, I'm already ready to watch The Batman again.