Batman: A Look Behind the Mask
“Our scars can destroy us, even after the physical wounds have healed. But if we survive them, they can transform us.”
-Bruce Wayne, The Batman (2022)
(Photo/Hollywood Insider)
Vengeance, envy, and justice galore, could a comic book fan possibly ask for more? Batman, the infamous hero-in-the-shadows now portrayed by Twilight Saga actor Robert Pattinson, has re-emerged for the third time via the DCEU. With the theatrical release of the film getting set back several times, avid Bat-fans have been eager to see their favorite crime fighting-billionaire back on the big screen in a new light. From vivid cinematography to striking lead performances, director Matt Reeves creates a moving piece that is sure to give both new and returning fans the thrill ride of a lifetime.
(Photo/People Magazine)
Clocking in at about two hours and fifty-six minutes long, The Batman follows the story of a young Bruce Wayne adapting to the task of being both Batman and an orphan left with the fortune of his long-deceased parents. As seen in the original comics written by Bill Finger, Wayne lives in the city of Gotham, a dystopian version of New York City where crime lurks at every corner. The story itself touches on the irony of social class superiority and the lack of effort put into criminal justice systems, with Batman utilized as a catalyst in driving this message forth.
The Batman’s cinematography and lead performances were arguably the film’s most notable achievements. The motif of the color red is eye-catching through the medium of light and heat, further accentuating Reeves’ emphasis on Batman’s moral conflicts and rage. Additionally, the performances of leading actors Robert Pattinson (Bruce Wayne/Batman) and Zoë Kravitz (Selina Kyle/Catwoman), truly make the lengthy film enjoyable and well-paced.
Pattinson takes a character as complex as Bruce Wayne and weaves subtle nuances of anxiety and isolation into his mannerisms in order to convey the plight of Batman to his audience, while successfully upholding the hefty task of playing a multifaceted hero. His co-star Kravitz also delivers a fierce seductive rendition of his love interest Catwoman whilst still paying tribute to her original character in the comics. Finally, the Riddler, played by Paul Dano, is reconceptualized as a chilling, condescending madman who foils the main characters perfectly.
“The thing about being a kid is you feel so helpless”, The Batman (2022) director Matt Reeves stated in a Variety interview. “I felt so out of control, in so many ways. [Playing around with my 8mm camera] was the beginning of trying to get some agency.”
Although small in role, supporting characters such as Detective James Gordon, portrayed by Jeffrey Wright, and Batman’s main foil, The Riddler, played by Paul Dani, play intrical roles in the development of the film. Wright’s cryptic character is slightly underutilized by the conclusion of the film, but Dano’s staggering performance encapsulating the “American Psycho” archetype made up for the lack of foundation in that area.
Reeves’ camerawork, along with the lighting and visual effects, were both immersive and refreshing to see in a comic book film. Unconventional angles at certain moments, whether they expressed solemnity, relief, or claustrophobia, accurately set the tone of the film, making for a truly profound movie-going experience.
The Batman synthesizes the unique storytelling of comic books with the rhetoric and aesthetics of filmmaking through the use of vibrant cinematography, imaginative plots, and well-accomplished actors, proving in the process that the true path to hope and justice is right behind the mask.
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