The Batman is finally hitting screens around the world, and we at Smash have a spoiler-free review for you.
The Batman: Spoiler-Free Review
Over the months, in countless interviews, over and over again we have heard Matt Reeves repeat that his Bruce Wayne is inspired by Kurt Cobain, specifically the fictionalized version of Gus Van Sant’s Last Days movie. He has also mentioned that in the making of The Batman he had several seventies films in mind, represented by Contact in France and All the President’s Men, among other tapes in which we see either car chases or the investigation into huge criminal and political plots.
Also, there are the comics. Matt Reeves has frequently mentioned that his Dark Knight came primarily from reading Year One, Long Halloween, and Ego, and from other titles such as Scott Snyder’s Zero Year and Bob Kane’s works with Bill Finger. Pattinson himself has added Arkham Asylum, Damned, and several Dennis O’Neil stories to the list.
Finally, there are the minimal elements that define Bat-Man: the Bat-Signal, Wayne Manor, the Wayne Fortune, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Catwoman, the Batman rogues gallery, and Gotham City, to name a few.
What happens when you mix these elements with the realistic approach that Matt Reeves has wanted to give to the new iteration of the Dark Knight?
The result is one of the best Batman movies. Or perhaps the best cinematographically speaking despite its not quite successful third act. Of course, we know that in the end the public has the last word.
However, although the character has had the fortune of having great actors and first-rate directors who have made almost all of his appearances on the big screen excellent, Matt Reeves is the one who has delivered the Batman most attached to the canonical comics of the character.
The Batman Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Clearly installed in the film noir genre since its inception, in The Batman we are faced with a series of murders in progress, committed by the mysterious Riddler. Our hero must consolidate even more with the Gotham police and delve into the underworld to investigate the deaths of “notable” characters in the city, apparently mired in corruption that links them to the mafia.
Also, as the terrorist violence of the villain escalates, who often leaves clues wrapped in riddles, the “sins” the city pays for begin to point to Gotham’s past, including the Wayne family.
On the other hand, there is a new political proposal that seems far from corruption but must pay for its naivety in the darkest and most dangerous Gotham City that has been portrayed to date.
And then there are the strange characters that surround Batman/Bruce: Penguin, the ambitious mobster who could become the kingpin of Gotham. Selina, the empowered cunning girl who manages to survive in a violent city. Carmine Falcone, the factor of corruption that breaks down social structures to perpetuate his impunity. Alfred, Bruce’s only family, although his obsessions prevent him from always being clear. And James Gordon, who like never before in the cinema goes hand in hand with the vigilante to face the danger that lurks in Gotham.
Finally, we meet the most obsessive Bruce Wayne ever seen, focused on defining his way of fighting crime and removed from the millionaire life of his previous iterations. In fact, if the Wayne company shows up, it’s just to show us that it’s outside of Bruce’s field of interest.
Considerable elements in The Batman, without spoilers
The music and photography of The Batman
Although Greig Fraser’s photography is spectacular in its ability to portray the darkness of a city in trouble, with impressive long shots and great capacity for close-ups of the characters, including the difficulty of effectively portraying the chiaroscuro of Batman’s suit, the Michael Giacchino’s music spares no resources to accompany almost all of the film’s action.
And although sometimes some instrumentation breaks the general tone of the score, such as the solo piano piece in the final credits, the musical proposal quickly becomes a dramatic factor in the unfolding of the plot.
We announced a review of The Batman without spoilers, but this is the only one that we will give. Nirvana’s song “Something in the Way” does play on the cut that hits theaters.
Conclusions – What should you expect when watching The Batman? (You know, spoiler free)
The Batman is a film with a different development than the superhero cinema that we are used to lately. Its proposal is more cinematic than trying to generate a show by itself, although, of course, it is not without a lot of incredible action.
The plot revolves around a young Bruce Wayne who must find a way to fight crime, not only to exorcise his demons but to embrace his past and his city. At the end of the film we see him reconcile with his people, understand which is the path of the hero that he wants to travel. Although, of course, that somewhat optimistic vision is not free of obstacles that a misunderstood vision of his work generates. In other words, as we see in the final scene, a series of creatures that misidentify with him are in the future.
With The Batman, you will see the Bat-Man most attached to the most valued comics in your collection. You will recognize in it, either by the narrative tone, by the characterization of the characters or by specific moments, fragments of graphic novels such as No Man’s Land or the aforementioned Year One, Long Hallowen and much of the detective stage of the character in the comics. .
That said, one of the best Batman movies if you’re a fan of Frank Miller, Dennis O’Neil, Grant Morrison and company.
The Batman Trailer
The film stars Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne / Batman. He is joined by Paul Dano as the Riddler, Colin Farrell as The Penguin, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson, and Barry Keoghan as Stanley Merkel.
The Batman will hit theaters on March 4.
The stories that inspired The Batman await you in our online store with:
DC Comics Deluxe – Batman: Ego and Other Tales
Eight classic Dark Knight tales from a true comics legend!
A Bat Man book like no other, conceived by a master storyteller. Bring together the magnificent stories of the Dark Knight, created by award-winning writer and artist Darwyn Cooke.
This deluxe edition includes the acclaimed BATMAN: EGO and BATMAN/THE SPIRIT one-shots, as well as the original CATWOMAN: SELINA’S BIG SCORE graphic novel and the BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE, SOLO, and HARLEY QUINN short stories.
It also features the work of writers Paul Grist, Jeph Loeb, Amanda Conner, and Jimmy Palmiotti. And that of the artists Bill Wray, Tim Sale and J. Bone. A must have collection for any fan of Batman or Catwoman. This deluxe edition collects stories and material never before seen in Mexico.
DC Essential Edition – Batman: Year One 2022 – Online Exclusive Cover
Originally published for four issues of the monthly BATMAN title in 1986 and 1987, BATMAN: YEAR ONE has become one of the most popular and influential graphic novels in comic book history. Written by FRANK MILLER and illustrated by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI with colors by RICHMOND LEWIS. This masterful reimagining of Bruce Wayne’s first year as the Dark Knight has electrified generations of readers. An unprecedented fusion of raw realism and elegance in form.
Now, 35 years after its debut, DC is proud to present the definitive edition of this modern comics classic. We’ve brought the acclaimed story together in one volume—with each page re-scanned from the original plates—along with a good deal of material from the creative process behind the work. These include the complete scripts and pencil process for the original four issues of BATMAN 404 to 407.
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