I don’t think The Riddler figured out that Bruce Wayne was Batman. He talked about Bruce Wayne as the one who got away from the two of them best buddies in crime. You can see Batman’s shift in expression when he realizes it.
Yeah, there was that suspicion that Riddler had figured it out when they were in his apartment examining the wall filled with photos and "I know the REAL you" scribbled next to Bruce's photo and articles of Batman, and how he kept repeating "Bruuuce...Waaaaayne" as he spoke to Batman in Arkham. But when Riddler says "He's the only one we didn't get", you realize that no, he didn't figure it out after all. He still thinks Bruce Wayne and Batman are different people, and that Batman was on his side for trying to kill Bruce.
@@mattjames7386 No, he put a riddle to The Batman because that's what he had been doing the whole movie. He didn't know Bruce and Batman were the same person. But Batman thought he did and that's why he didn't figure out the flood was going to happen.
What I haven't heard anyone talk about is the reveal about Martha Wayne's mental issues informs two things: it shows more of why Batman would want to give the villians a chance to get better since his mother did. Also it shows that Batmans way of doing things and dealing with his parents death may actually be some mental illness he got from his mother. That's what I took from it anyway.
It also shows why in Flashpoint she flips out and becomes the Joker so easily. In that universe she never got the help she needed and thats what would have happened had Thomas not gotten her help when he did
And the fact that she's an Arkham! More and more references to earth one batman. While many people don't like it, I loved some of the things it did with the mythos, especially the Arkham illness
I was so sure that was leading to a reveal of Riddler's backstory being merged with Talon. The pieces were there for it. I still feel like Court of Owls is coming in the sequels.
Love the parallel moments in the film, as Batman and then as Bruce entering the iceberg lounge. Also the “don’t hurt me reaction” to Batman at the start, then the lady being airlifted holding his arm as he’s the safest place at the end.
@@Nekore44 that was representing that Batman trying to save the city was also inspiring others to do it, but it in their own twisted way like the Riddler, and I'm expecting many others to pretend to be vengeance in the sequels
And the reaction from Pattinson's Batman upon seeing her arm on his, too... That slight smile as soon as he realizes he can be a protective figure... brilliantly done
the batmobile gave me shivers, when the engine starts and it just sounds like a banshee screaming... not a deep sound, this high pitched hellish wraith sound. everyone in the theatre went nuts as soon as the blue lights kicked on and you could see its silhouette. absolute perfection. and that car chase felt so real. like, yeah thats the way traffic is. a car chase scene where its not constant go go go, but there are moments where they stop, that was so tense.
i gotta say, paul dano in the interrogation scene was brilliant. when he found out batman wasnt his partner and was actually against him and he starts to panic, all of his work almost undone because batman didnt see him as an ally. and when he says no i planned it all out we can watch what happens here and be safe and batmans like wtf did you do, he freaks out and starts to sing his comfort song to himself to stop himself from going wild was just amazing. chilling and amazing. perfect casting
2 hours and 20 minutes into the movie my 17 year old daughter realized Bruce Wayne and Batman were the same person. I was so damn mad the last 36 minutes. 🤣
...you're not joking at all are you? How does someone not know that? With all the adaptations we've gotten...shoot a fictional character had her fooled lol
The Batman is phenomenal. WB could have taken the safe route and said - just give us the formula again. But they didn’t. They gave Matt Reeves full control … and it paid off, in dividends. This is how good it is. I saw it Tuesday night for the Fan Event- and I wasn’t able to sleep that night . I literally stayed awake , reliving moments and feelings all night to the point I couldn’t even sleep. It was so damn good, I saw it again Thursday night… and I got tickets for Saturday and Sunday too! NO SPOILERS so I will just say… Robs portrayal of not only a vulnerable Batman but a closed off Bruce was enthralling. You’ve NEVER seen a live action version like this. Every single ‘support’ player had multiple shining moments. The batmobile is a BEAST and that scene needs to be seen in IMAX. Our chairs literally shook. The story itself is mysterious, twisting and heartbreaking - I actually had to wipe a tear a time or three. And the score was insane. I did not feel the run time - in fact, when I felt the climax approaching, I was in disbelief that two hours had passed. This film feels like a graphic novel, BTAS and the Arkham games come to life. Bottom line - go see it. As soon as you can. It’s an experience like none other.
I loved how in the end, after Batman was doing all those cool Batman things, the most important thing he did in the whole movie, was help the people...like anyone who's been called a hero in our world would do. That was such a beautiful way to end the film.
Gotham was its own character in this movie... It pulled me in waaaaaay more than I would ever have thought possible... I enjoyed this movie soooo much... I'm so glad it differs so much from earlier iterations...
A Court of Owls second movie that forces Bruce into action more would be awesome. Forcing him to be Bruce instead of Batman to solve the mystery would be an interesting turn. Watching him cultivate the eccentric playboy persona is something I would be interested in seeing
Just talked about this with my wife last night. Coming from this movie, and then transitioning into a Mask of Zorro style creation of the Bruce Wayne persona would be Very fun. I would love to watch that loner poet awkward-core Bruce Wayne fail his way into some charisma and the role of eccentric narcissist playboy.
My guess with the Joker in this movie, after watching the scene of him manipulating and inspiring the Riddler. I believe that the Joker may just be a player behind bars in Arkham that maybe tries to get other villians to break out and go back to Gotham swinging. This could be how he provides chaos in the series without being a big player.
Matt Reeves has spoken about bringing the court of owls and Mr. Freeze in the sequel. He also said it will be a very different portrayal of mr. freeze than we saw before.
I keep commenting but the opening with us seeing the views of the different criminals. Seeing how we zoom into the shadows not knowing if he’s there or not. I loved this movie !
I only felt the runtime towards the end after the flooding when Batman is talking to Catwoman. I was like this kind of feels like it's dragging on, it should end soon and then like a minute later it was over lol. The pacing was actually really good
This was EASILY my favorite Batman. I love “The Dark Knight” but man… they just nailed this. Everything from sound design to the Cinematography, to the acting… man I loooooove it all.
Barry Keoghan is playing the Joker, Matt Reeves confirmed. He's having a hell of a year. He was one of the good things about Eternals and now being cast as the Joker. He's a super interesting actor and I'm beyond excited to see his version. I also think because they established a Joker gang, not introducing the precursor to that would be weird. Of course I want other villains, but because we left the two of them in Arkham, we could get an Arkham centric movie. Which is something I've wanted for a while now. I really loved this movie and I haven't loved any Batman movie. I've liked aspects of all of them, but this to me is the best version and portrayals.
When we get a sequel, I hope the first scene does a similar introduction with the villain right away. That could be a really strong signature theme for this new series.
Just remember we’re getting Gotham PD on hbo max with penguin. So who knows where that series or season will end then jump into the theater again to continue the story. Unless Gotham pd is a prequel?
I fucking loved the natural world building in this movie. This take on Bruce I find so fascinating and quite sad. The movie treats him like he's this creature, that Bruce is just a shell of a human being. And yeah I was kinda meh about the Joker thing at the end. I just thought that not only should they do other villains, at least for the second movie, but this story just didn't need it. And I personally didn't find his laugh that interesting. The only thing I liked about this Joker(which obviously we have seen only seconds of) is that he reassures Riddler, on the surface making him feel better, but also predatorily feeding his delusion. I think that they need to do something really unique in order to justify using joker again so soon. And since Penguin was so cool in this movie I think having prosthetics could be fucking incredible on this Joker.
My spoiler free thoughts on The Batman: First off Robert Pattenson did great for his portrayal as Batman. Since it's the 1st 2 years of him donning the cap and cowl it obviously showed how green he is, but battle ready capable. Right from the get go it keep me on the edge on the edge of my seat. For 95% of the movie he had a singular sole purpose to achieve but in the last 5% he switched in a heroic manner. Granted, there was really no off switch when Batman took off the mask to be Bruce Wayne. Reason why some people dubbed him emo Batman. Other than that I went into the movie purely for the intense enjoyment of being entertained and I wasn't disappointed. Paul Dano plays a creep version of the Riddler and you can't help but have your eyes glued on him. In the end, he has a conversation with a familiar character we all and I'll just leave it that. This movie a standalone and in my opinion should not be part of the DECU and hopefully there'll be more movies to come with R Patts and Matt Reeves. Oh stay for the end credits even though its a small post credit clip. My rating: 9/10
I thoroughly enjoyed this gritty noir film take, I really enjoyed the detective aspect of Batman we see in the film. I'd love to see a fully black and white version of the film like Frank Miller's Sim City movies.
I was watching it with my brother and at one point, he leaned over to me and was like “it’s only been an hour and ten minutes” which blew my mind because it felt like soooo much had happened, but we weren’t even halfway in 😂 The amount of stuff they were able to cohesively jam into three hours was incredible. It did not feel it’s length at all.
My only regret when seeing this movie was not seeing it with a better screen or sound system. Cause if I came out deaf from the soundtrack and the sound effects, I would have been fine with it.
Same! I saw it in a small theater and I could barely hear first hour of movie they were so soft spoken? But I heard the damn door open every 5 damn minutes like wtf were people getting up so much 🤬 I was so frustrated. Probably going to see at bigger theater
I have to disagree with Jay that Catwoman didn’t need to be there, she’s a more grounded Catwoman who stole and manipulated both to get by and get back at her father, and she was the only one to call out Batman acting from a position of privilege and not just Bruce the way Mayor Real did. I think it’s an important part of his arc to be more than a hammer beating on the acts of crime and instead changing the system that causes it.
I thought it was funny how she was talking about privilege and let the elite burn and she's talking to the most elite one, sort of an in your-face-moment for cat woman showing how wrong she is
The first thing I notice at the credits was that Barry Keoghan got his own title card. Then I saw him credited as the Arkham prisoner in the rolling credits.
This first movie, Batinson's catchphrase was "I'm vengeance." Imagine if in the sequel, his catchphrase is "I'm the night!" and then the sequel after that he finally says, "I'm Batman!". I honestly did think to myself watching this movie that I could totally see this Batman movie taking place in the same world as Joaquin Phoenix's Joker movie.
I think the point of the plunge with the power cord was to show a metaphorical death and rebirth of Batman from a symbol of vengeance into a beacon of hope.
This is arguably one of the best Batman movies to date. I'm sorry but Pattinson and Bale are better Dark Knights than Affleck. The Batman truly nailed exactly what the Dark Detective should be. And Zoe Kravitz was excellent as Catwoman.
@@liamcephus9687 I think Batfleck had the most POTENTIAL. Looks-wise, he’s the most resembling of Bruce Wayne and his action scenes felt like a comic book being put into a screen (cough BvS warehouse fight scene). If they had taken the time to do the DCEU properly and given him a solo movie, and the movies he was in didn’t suck, he could’ve been the best. But WB treated him poorly and wasted his potential. And now they’re writing him off and rebooting the DCEU and replacing him with Keaton… damn.
See I think Affleck was the best Batman for the world he was in. Where the super powered beings existed. You put Bale, Keaton, even Pattinson in that world their Batman's wouldn't hold up. Batman 89 was the first film I saw in theaters so Keaton will always have my Batman heart. I do pur Pattinson up there with Keaton and over Bale. I do put Affleck on its on pedestal but he to me is on par with Bale.
@@rcaron2482 that’s fair. Affleck definitely felt the most “comic book-y” if that makes sense. The other Batmans like Bale and Pattinson are great, and I think Pattinson has outdone Affleck, but their adaptations are obviously meant more to be a grounded, independent/standalone story that’s focused on realism and grittiness. Affleck had that fantasy factor, and I wish they’d given him the opportunity to show his full potential
Ben Affleck looks too much like Ben Affleck to be a good Bruce Wayne IMO. He’s just not a good enough actor to make me forget that he’s just Ben Affleck. How anyone likes him as Batman (who literally used guns and kills people) is mind boggling to me.
Colin Farrells Penguin was the stand out performance for me 👏 Made me proud to be Irish....And also another Irish man Barry Keoghan playing The Joker.......Word.
Got to see The Batman at an early fan screening on March 1st and absolutely loved it! It's the best Batman has ever been portrayed on screen in my opinion. Hearing you guys talk about it with such passion and excitement just gives me chills and gets me hype all over again to see for a second time tonight!
I went to go see it on Tuesday too and the crowd was all into it. We all cheered and screamed when we heard the word “clown” it was a blast. Then I saw it again on Thursday and the crowd in that screening was lame. No one clapped or cheered and no one jumped up from excitement like the early screening. It sure was a bummer.
2:54-3:04 Sometimes people want to know whether or not a pop culture movie/show/book/etc. is worth it, so they watch a spoiler free reaction first. Batman anything is something I want the generalized like or don't like of trusted reviewers who share my opinions beforehand. Usually I can make my own mind up without reviews, but with Batman I would like to know basic non-spoiler things and opinions first.
Great review of a great movie. Got to add some love for The Watcher...I mean Jeffrey Wright's Gordon. Great interactions with Batinnson. Really portrayed a guy doing everything he could to do the right thing.
I saw The Batman last night. Honestly, one of my favorite top two Batman movies. It just had right tone and feel. The entire cast is perfect. I feel like this movie had the best onscreen Gotham. It was definitely its own character. Spoiler: It is the Joker at the end with the Riddler. IGN has an interview with Matt Reeves that not only confirms it but he goes into his thoughts/back story of this Joker. I was also on the fence of having another Joker appear but it was interesting to hear Reeves' take and the heavy influence from the movie, The Man Who Laughs. Also this Joker is played by Barry Keoghan. Also Reeves mentions that this does not confirm the Joker in future projects. Also the post credits scene leads to a hint to Hush.
i think for me the kisses between Selina and Bruce weren’t earned in a strictly romance way, but in a connection kind of way if that makes sense. like the first time they kiss, Selina had just asked something of Batman, so it felt like she might be doing it to seal the deal. then the second time, is soon after he “saves her soul” in a way, standing with her against her father and keeping her from crossing the line. so she was feeling at that moment a real connection and insane adrenaline, so i think for me that’s what made me buy their relationship. not because they know each other so well, or have fallen in love, but that they made a connection that has crazy potential and i’m excited to see it grow.
Just back from seeing the film and I loved it! This is the dark Batman we needed! No cheesiness and you believe him as a real guy. Loved your review and I got chills seeing the batmobile.
Mark 5:57. "Location Scouting", you say hey?! Well, that reminds me of a little detail that I haven't noticed with other recent movies. Sure, for "ABC" television, they have a disclaimer tag at the end of each episode of their series, "Grey's Anatomy", now about how the series is set in the future, post-COVID-19. I've not seen other series acknowledge it in such a way. Then along comes this movie, and in the end credits, I noticed that part of the crew for it, is a "COVID-19 Compliance Team", or something like that! So then, congratulations, on acknowledging them! 🎉🎊. Good for them in having such a team. 😎👍✌️🖖
There are some shots in this movie (no spoilers, but just from the trailer…like the car-mounted shot of Cobblepot’s car flipping, or the hallway shot with the muzzle flashes and the strobe effect) will be taught in film schools…forever. Incendiary filmmaking.
I loved it for the most part, my only gripe was I thought the motivation for Riddler kinda fell apart for me in Act 3. I was like, "He's mad he's an orphan and feels betrayed so... he goes on a "justice" murder spree?" Otherwise, LOVED It. I went to see it a second time in IMAX just to experience the batmobile there.
I freaking LOVE this movie. I just love how different this Batman movie was in comparison to the other ones. To me, The Dark Knight, The Batman & Batman Begins are the greatest live-action Batman films ever made. I need that sequel in my veins. I seriously cannot wait for what else Matt Reeves has in store for us with Robert Pattinson's version of Batman. 9/10
Mark 13:20. Don't forget the intimidation factor of those, not so stealthy boots! At least no cups of water were shown vibrating! 😂🤣 But hey! For, Ninjas, Fear is a tool too, not just Stealth!
Mark 26:59. "The Joker", thanks! 🃏. Some have speculated that it was, "Two-Face"! But the swept-back hairstyle, reminded me of that one scene in, "Zack Snyder's Justice League", when the character finally appears. 😎
Jay's geekiness and laughter is so infectious. Also what's funny is 33:24 was me in the theater. But nobody else was. I was like "Are any of you Batman fans?"
Also, Gotham City here is clearly a stand-in for New York City, with its own versions of Times Square and Madison Square Garden. And living only half an hour away and seeing the flooding caused by Riddler's bombs, I got strong vibes of the flooding from Hurricane Sandy and the recent storms.
The most pumped I felt was when he cranked the Batmobile. I swear, I just start leaning forward and silently saying, "Oh my god, oh my god!!" My hands were over my mouth for the entire chase scene. ADRENALINE!!! LOL
Mark 8:31. That tool called a, "Carpet Tucker", that I didn't know exists, but in retrospect, of course it would, as it makes sense! That tool? 🤔 (Rugs, don't need tucking.)
I liked the duality of Wayne and Batman in the way people responded to him. Like everyone stood back out of shock and awe for both of them, but for different reasons.
Regarding villains that have not been done - the movie does a major, major tease for a Batman villain who has never been in a movie before. And funnily enough, you mention them earlier in the review...
Although I could talk about this movie at length and have there are two points that really stick out to me that are rarely addressed. 1) The Penguin berating Batman and Gordon for not speaking Spanish. That felt like a very human moment. Especially as it subvert's expectation since you would think one of the two of them would be able to. Who would think The Penguin is fluent in Spanish, but then again, why not? It just feels very human. And... 2) The Riddler clearly had expectations that Batman had come from a working class background and therefore would most likely recognize a carpet installing tool. Batman is a multi-billionaire and would have no reason to have familiarity with flooring tools though. It took a cop with a working class background to be able to solve that portion of the riddle. Again, this felt like a very human moment. The wealthy Bruce Wayne working side by side (and gaining the respect) of a Gotham City beat cop. Especially since at the beginning of the movie they made a point of how this particular officer was extra distrustful of Batman. The two of them working together to solve the riddle felt very human and real.
Mark 19:44. I didn't think about the length, until other reviews mentioned it. I had to use the restroom during the coffee scene, when usually it might be during or after the end credits. Also, as for the editing, and the pacing, I kept waiting for the prologue to end, but it never felt like it did! No opening theme song like we get with a, "James Bond", movie to enforce the chapters or acts. We get to the end of the end credits, and we see someone type in, "GOODBYE", and then to me, it felt like the actual movie proper, should start! 😎🤔
It still kills me that if you manage to look at the back of the car well enough, the whole back end of the car is shaped like the Dark Knight logo. The engine's pipes are the ears, the back of the car's body is shaped like the wings and the jet is the tail. I love this version so much. It's finally The Batmobile again! I was getting SO sick of that stupid tank that Bale and Bat-Fleck used. I hated The Tumbler and I will die on this hill.
Apparently there's another scene with Joker that was cut. He supposedly goes to Arkham after getting the messages from Riddler to ask Mr J about what he thinks, as in they already have a past...
This movie was SO DAMN GOOD! The penguin car chase was EASILY my favorite part of the movie. So intense and amazing. The music was so damn good! Robert Paterson BLEW AWAY all my doubts.
I think this movie pulls a lot of parallels to The Long Halloween. There's a lot of influences from it, from early years of Batman, to learning the detective stuff with the cops, to learning about Selina and Carmine, to Carmine's relationship with Bruce's father. Just so much there and I loved every minute of this movie.
"Why are you watching this?" 1) to see if there are or aren't anything in the credits. 2) roughly how many minutes of trailers there are. 3) to hear the Non Spoiler part. 4) let the spoiler part play while I'm cooking in another room so the Algorithm see a full view which should help the channel. Which hopefully can you that 1 mil sub plaque faster. Edit: 1:50 yikes. Adam really whiffed the Check on that roll. Judging by a guess of a video's review based off past reviews would fall under an Insight roll or maybe an Arcana/History check depending on which stat is higher.
Mark 11:30. Hmm. According to a game I play on-line, while there's only one, Chicago and one New York City, there are a few places named, "London". If I lived in one of the alternates to, "London, England", I might be writing to either remind you, or perhaps even inform you, that I live in a place named, "London", and it isn't in, England! Side Note: In, "The Love Boat", the flying of a flag from the, United Kingdom, indicates that the name in the stern, under "Pacific Princess", does refer to the one in, England. 🧐
I loved it, I've only read a few Batman comics, but it was the most like that source material out of any Batman I've seen. Might be my favorite one as fan of the detective side of Batman, and crime/noir films in general. The acting was also great all around.
I think if Reeves is gonna build a world of Gotham City and Batman’s Rogues Gallery with sequels and spin off shows without having a “Batman Begins” origin story, basically starting in year two, he needed extra time to world build and introduce players properly, so I had no issue with the 3 hour run time. (Once I got past my pee anxiety, not getting a soda was a smart move)
A very different Riddler than we've ever seen before. And I'm fine with it. Best Penguin we've ever seen. I think my main problem with the movie was with Gotham City itself - is the whole place below sea level? That there's a sea wall around the entire city? How does that happen? That doesn't really make sense. Based on how Bruce Wayne is in this movie, I think this Batman, more than any other Batman we've seen in live-action, NEEDS a Robin.
For the end Arkham scene…. 🦇🦇🦇🦇 Matt Reeves has stated, that the scene is just a nod and Easter egg to fans. To show that he exists in this world. NOT that he’ll be the next villain. He’s expressed interest in doing Mr Freeze (🤞🤞🥶) but it will be awhile til we know anything for sure. :)
I think it was weird to bring the joker in BUT… I think if there doing a thing were joker is gonna be a character that pushes all the right buttons of the other bad guys to cause chaos from behind the scene that would be a awesome way to bring him to light. Because I think it’s interesting we’re getting a joker who’s already behind bars and probably has been there for idk a couple years maybe, you know maybe how this whole Batman thing started that we never got the full story of I think there setting this up to be crazier then we expect even after watching this great movie
Movie was worth the wait! It was so perfect.. Matt Reeves is a genius! I can't wait for more Robert Pattinson! The riddler gave me the creeps.. That means that he did a great job 🤟
The only thing you really need to tell us during the non-spoiler part of the review is whether or not there are post-credit scenes to wait for, especially when it's a 3-hour movie. Just knowing whether or not we need to stay or are free to rush to the bathrooms would be really helpful information.
I don't think the movie was too long at 3 hours, there is nothing I would want to cut out about the movie. I just think the payoff at the end wasn't big enough to make the 3 hours seem worth it.
Mark 31:20. Kissing! Before, Spider-Man & Mary Jane Watson, had their now famous kiss in an alley way, with him being upside down, there's another movie that had such a scene too, but with different characters. I saw it this week, probably via, "Tubi", and it surprised me so much, that I can't remember the movie title now. 😕🤔
Given how the film leaned into horror elements, I think Professor Pyg should have been the villain teased for the sequel. During Batman's VO at the end, when he says something to the effect of "there will be those who will rise up to take advantage of the city's destruction," the film could have cut to a shot with the camera moving through a slaughterhouse, closing in on a doctor performing an operation. He's ankle-deep in water. The camera pans over the discarded costume of one of Riddler's gang members who got away. He's screaming in pain as the camera finishes its pan up, focusing on Pyg's head as he operates.
See I was think during that VO, it was a really easy way to set up No Man's Land. Then during that movie we see more villains rise up. Like Professor Pyg, Scarecrow, Ivy, Mad Hatter, Anarky, etc..
