Important figures in Gotham are being brutally murdered by an individual identifying himself as The Riddler (Paul Dano). Batman (Robert Pattinson) must intervene, seeking information from the city’s underbelly. His investigation leads him to encounters with The Penguin (Colin Farrell) and Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz). He receives assistance from Police Commissioner Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) and his loyal butler, Alfred (Andy Serkis). As the case unfolds, The Riddler’s elaborate scheme is revealed, its tendrils reaching into Batman’s past.
As with the James Bond franchise, opinions on the best actor to portray Batman are diverse. I maintain that Michael Keaton delivers the definitive Batman, followed by Ben Affleck. Revisiting the 1966 Batman TV series, I find Adam West to be an incredibly underrated Batman, placing him third. Christian Bale takes fourth place, with Val Kilmer and George Clooney sharing fifth. After two viewings of The Batman, Robert Pattinson‘s placement remains uncertain. While he delivers a masterful performance as Batman, capturing a brutality and humanity rarely seen in other interpretations, his portrayal of Bruce Wayne feels somewhat unconvincing. His appearance, particularly the questionable hairstyle, detracts from the character. Fortunately, Pattinson spends the majority of the film as Batman. I do appreciate the realistic detail of Bruce’s sweat and dirt under the mask, including the smudged dark makeup around his eyes.
The Batman boasts exceptional cinematography, employing a new technique that projects backgrounds onto screens instead of relying on green screens, resulting in highly realistic scenes. The sequences within a high-rise building under construction particularly showcase this technique, with the environment realistically reflected in the surroundings and costumes. The film’s first hour is compelling and well-paced. The dynamic of Batman working alongside Gordon and functioning as a detective is a welcome return, a concept largely absent from modern film adaptations. The last prominent example of Batman’s detective work was arguably the 1966 TV series (and the Arkham games). The film’s brutal nature is reminiscent of serial killer thrillers like The Silence of the Lambs and Zodiac, making it unsuitable for younger viewers.
The second hour experiences a slight deceleration in pace. Concerns arise regarding the director’s choices, as the film transitions from grounded realism to instances where Batman survives a bomb explosion and a significant fall with minimal apparent damage. The initial commitment to realism seems to diminish.
This iteration of Batman lacks superpowers or advanced materials in his suit, unlike Black Panther in the Marvel universe. Yet, he appears impervious to automatic rifle fire. While these sequences aim for visual appeal, they contribute to a sense of tonal inconsistency within The Batman.
The final hour proves to be the weakest, culminating in a confusing final battle with an unclear beginning and end. Detailing specific events would spoil the viewing experience, but The Batman would have benefited from a reduction of at least forty minutes and a more concise narrative. Had the film maintained the quality of its first hour, it could have been one of the definitive Batman films. Instead, it remains merely adequate, containing impressive sequences but ultimately suffering from an uneven overall execution.
The Batman primarily unfolds at night and in dimly lit environments, underscoring the importance of a high-quality transfer – which it delivers. The image is presented in native 4K with Dolby Vision, featuring 2160p resolution and a high bitrate of 144mb/s. This results in exceptionally sharp visuals, even in darker scenes. Edge sharpness and light elements are rendered without distortion. The sequences featuring the sunset in the abandoned skyscraper are particularly impressive. The night scenes achieve a near three-dimensional quality.
The Dolby Atmos sound design is equally remarkable, particularly during the now-iconic car chase between Batman and The Penguin. The surround speakers are heavily utilized to create an immersive experience with the film’s extensive use of rain and other ambient sounds.
The Batman UHD edition includes three discs: the UHD 4K version of the film, the Blu-ray version, and a dedicated disc for extras. This comprehensive collection features a nearly hour-long documentary detailing the entire filmmaking process, along with numerous shorter documentaries focusing on specific sequences and characters. These segments cover topics such as the makeup process that transformed Colin Farrell into The Penguin and the creation of the car chase sequence.
In conclusion, I recommend The Batman on UHD. While the film is fundamentally well-executed, its excessive length detracts from its impact. The UHD edition itself is virtually flawless.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial process. We maintain an independent perspective, prioritizing our readers and consumers.
