Cindy Prascik's Review of The Batman

 

My dear reader(s) and fellow Batfans, today I bring you a review of Matt Reeves' The Batman.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing plot-related that isn't evident in the trailers. Emo!

Batman faces off with Survivalist!Riddler in a bid for Gotham's very survival. 

Snarky synopsis aside, The Batman is a great Batman movie, and, yes, a great movie without the Bat-qualifier. I'm going to try not to let this get *too* long, but Batman is one of my most beloved characters, so...buckle up. 

The Batman is a dark film, and I mean in every way. It's never daytime. It never stops raining. There is no levity in dialogue or in action. Neither Bruce Wayne nor Wayne Manor enjoys much screen time; the film is wholly centered in Batman, the Batcave, and other similarly gloomy locales. When seen outside the cape and cowl, Bruce Wayne remains shrouded in darkness, both literally and figuratively. 

The Batman showcases a younger Bruce Wayne, ably portrayed by Robert Pattinson, but one who shares the physical exhaustion and world-weariness of his older predecessor (Ben Affleck). While many if not most Batman movies make a point of showing Batman's physical scars (he is, after all, only human, with no real "super powers"), this one also focuses on his mental scars: his torment, his jadedness, and even his vulnerability. Pattinson is the perfect actor for this role in this film. Even lacking Affleck's physical bulk, his Batman is dark and properly menacing. He is magnificent. 

A younger Bruce Wayne means a younger Alfred, personified in this outing by Lord of the Rings alum Andy Serkis. Serkis is a man of many faces, and this is hardly a stretch of his considerable talent, but his Alfred somehow seems less imperative than previous incarnations of the character. Zoe Kravitz is a little flat as Serena Kyle, definitely missing the spark of some others who have worn the catsuit. Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, and John Turturro are serviceable if unexceptional baddies. Finally, of course I found fault with Jeffrey Wright's Commissioner Gordon, not because I have anything against Jeffrey Wright (on the contrary, I'm a fan), but because he's not Gary Oldman and that's just a cross borne by all of us who aren't Gary Oldman. If only the whole world could be Gary Oldman. But I digress........ 

The Batman features a new Batman, but it is careful to avoid repeating the Batman origins story. It adds layers to Bruce Wayne's history without asking the audience to relive the pearls. Again. The plot is more detective thriller than superhero tale, with new twists built around familiar characters. At nearly three hours long, the film could use a trim, but I never felt the length, never checked the clock, and I'd go so far as to say it absolutely needs at least two and a half hours to bring its story from beginning to end properly. (That's 30 minutes' indulgence over what I'd normally allow!) 

The Batman has a few moments that struck me funny, mostly things that too closely mirror specific moments in The Dark Knight, and one scene that was so Blues Brothers-esque I almost laughed out loud. The narration is hokey early on, but gets less so as the movie progresses. There's plenty of action, yet The Batman is mercifully lacking the endless fight and chase scenes that plague most films of the genre. Michael Giacchino's exceptional score pairs poorly with certain scenes, making the music so melodramatic as to seem almost silly at times (or maybe that's vice-versa). Kudos to hair and makeup--turning Colin Farrell, the planet's most attractive human, into something ugly is no small feat! 

Following middling critical and audience reception for the Batfleck movies, many would call The Batman a redemption for DC in general and for Batman in particular. I'm enough of a Batfan that I'd argue the point (despite the mediocre films, Affleck remains my all-time favorite Batman), but I'll happily take this as a vote in DC's favor from the court of general opinion. 

The Batman clocks in at a whopping 176 minutes and is rated PG13 for "strong, violent, and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material." 

Anyone who says it's as good as or better than The Dark Knight is delusional or blowing smoke (it's not even close), but The Batman is a great, fresh take on an oft-resurrected character, and I look forward to seeing where this Bat flies. Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Batman gets eight. 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BATMAN

 

Batman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.

Director: Matt Reeves

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, Colin Farrell

Release Date: March 4, 2022

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Superhero

Rated PG-13 for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material

Runtime: 2h 55m

Review:

Matt Reeves' The Batman is a mash up of inspirations which results in a gritty noir detective thriller that takes the character back to his pulpy roots.  Reeves draws inspiration from excellent Batman graphic novels like The Long Halloween and Hush while also pulling cinematic inspiration from Se7en, Zodiac and Christopher Nolan's run.  The end result is a moody, atmospheric mystery that's as self serious as they come.  This take on the character focuses more on his deduction skills, even though there are a handful of action set pieces, which gives the film a more meticulous and methodical pace as the story unfolds.  Its the type of story that takes its time to reveal itself as we follow the characters down the rabbit hole.  Robert Pattinson, playing a much younger version of the character, brings the intensity and a simmering uncontrolled rage which hasn't been focused.  Pattinson gives us glimpses of the more unhinged aspects of the character as we see a character still finding his way, it's an impressive take on the character.  Jeffrey Wright, whose never been more earnest, works well onscreen with Pattinson which makes their interactions and relationship feels authentic.  Colin Farrell's take on The Penguin is one of the few character in the that feels like he's having fun with him providing a few moments of levity in the film.  Zoë Kravitz turn as Selina Kyle/Catwoman is excellent but underutilized since the script has her appear and disappear throughout the film.  Paul Dano and John Turturro play their characters a bit too over the top in comparison to the rest of the cast, its not jarring per say but noticeable.  Dano's character in particular would have been better served with a more subtle, understated and cerebral turn.  Overall, you have to appreciate Reeves holding the moody horror vibe for nearly three hours but it can become oppressive in spots which makes the case that some edits could have made this entry a sleeker more streamlined affair.  There are also portions of the final act that feel less like homages with scenes and sequences being lifted from other films almost verbatim which comes off as lazy.  Issues aside, The Batman is an impressive take on the character from a different lens which works on a different level than previous iterations. 

B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of Tenet

My dear reader(s), after a six-month (!) absence, yesterday I made my way back to my local cinema. If you were wondering what got me out the door when I really wasn't quite ready, the answer is (as it always was going to be) Christopher Nolan. On the docket: Tenet.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing the trailers haven't already revealed.

Regular reader(s) will be well aware that I worship at the Altar of Nolan. That's not to say Tenet was guaranteed a glowing review — on the contrary, I find high expectations generally are not my friend — but Christopher Nolan has never let me down and Tenet definitely keeps his streak alive.

“People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.” ~ The Tenth Doctor

You've probably seen the Internet meme about someone's brain being like a hundred browser tabs open at once. This is very much how I imagine it is being Christopher Nolan. I'm not going to pretend for a minute that I understand everything about Tenet — especially not after a single viewing — but instead I'm going to tell you why I loved it, and I think and hope you will too.

Tenet bends time and space to tell a multi-layered and expertly-crafted story. It is massive, thrilling, and even funny at times. The movie features nail-biting action that rivals some of the best I've seen (look for the firetruck sequence) and a moment that is so Airplane!-ey that I can't decide whether or not it was deliberate. The score and sound effects are huge and loud, perfectly complimenting the enormous visual scope of the film. Tenet has a cast to die for, led by John David Washington. Washington (like his father) is an actor that grabs your attention and doesn't let go; I never wanted him to be off-screen. It's no secret that I am a huge Robert Pattinson fan (despite, rather than because of, Twilight), and Tenet gives him an opportunity to shine. Favorites and familiar faces flesh out the supporting cast. Tenet is better for having Michael Caine (of course), Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Clemency Poesy, and Himesh Patel, even though some of them don't turn up for more than a cup of coffee. The movie runs a massive two and a half hours, but to me it felt like seconds. If you're looking for an epic excuse to get back out and see something on the big screen, Tenet is just what the doctor ordered.

Tenet clocks in at 150 minutes and is rated PG13 for "intense sequences of violence and action, some suggestive references, and brief, strong language."

I'm not here to promise that Tenet will make perfect sense after one or even ten screenings (hell, I'm still not sure I understand everything about Inception!), but I'm here to say it's magnificent regardless. I can't wait to see it again. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Tenet gets all nine.

Fangirl points: Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour, together again!

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: TENET

A secret agent embarks on a dangerous, time-bending mission to prevent the start of World War III.

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh

Release Date: September 3, 2019

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some suggestive references and brief strong language

Runtime: 2 h 30 min

Review:

Christopher Nolan’s latest, Tenet, will leave audiences everywhere talking or thinking about well after the film finishes.  Technically, it’s a marvelous piece of grand scale filmmaking with enough thrills to keep nearly everyone on the edge of their seat.  It’s everything Nolan has been perfecting over the last decade or so of his career.  This puzzle box of a story though is overtly and aggressively complex and convoluted, almost to the point of exhaustion.  If you can keep up, the story is multi faceted but simplistic at the same time.  If you’ve had any sort of experience with Star Trek or any other sort of time travel story logic, the techobabble spouted out will feel routine but it’s probably best to not over think it too much otherwise you’ll end up with a splitting headache.  Needless to say, I’m sure there will be people dissecting character timeline after obsessively rewatching the film.  As for the characters that live in this cinematic maze, they are thinly written but it’s not huge issue since the actors and actresses deliver performances that make it easier to gloss over the story’s shortcomings.  The best characters moments in the film occur when John David Washington and Robert Pattinson share screen time mainly the two share strong and naturalistic chemistry together.  Elizabeth Debicki and Kenneth Branagh do what they can with seriously broad characters that don’t have much in the way of depth.  Those critics who complain about Nolan’s emotional distance probably won’t be silenced here since the film keeps Kurbrick like distance from all the characters.  Tenet has flaws but those movie lovers that want massive cinematic scopes and action will find plenty to whet their appetites. 


B+