Amy D'Amico

The Batman review: (no spoilers) Robert Pattinson has a scorching gaze ALL the actors for various Batman movies have always TRIED to do, and only Pattinson has managed to achieve. His nonverbal communication is also great, so even covered in mask and costume, he communicates so much about what else is integral to him; it's a trauma-centered take on who Batman is, and who he might become; which hasn't been seen since the Michael Keeton version. This version explores a Batman wrestling pain from start to finish. Instead of hiding the fact that Batman doesn't have any superpowers, this movie digs deep at what he is- and it isn't only money and gadgets. His superpower IS his trauma. I never thought I'd see character development be the highlight of a comic book movie, but given the great writing in Batman comics (e.g, The Long Halloween), it's about time for Batman. John Turturro as Carmine Falconne is also great, and the always brilliant Jeffrey Wright as Lt Gordon makes merely decent writing shine because he inhabits his characters so well. Zoe Kravitz as Selena (CatWoman) has an interesting role; her movement is snappier than it is cat-like twitchy, but she's gorgeous and she brings out a lot with lame lines. The studio has her say, for instance, about the Russian girl she cares so much about "she's so young!" implying that her interest in her is that of an older sister, but Zoe deftly implies through body language that they were lovers, AND that she's hot for Batman. It's okay for both to be true, and even if she's not given the script for the nuance, she gets it across. Her physical prowess is fun in the fight scenes too; she's so tiny and lithe so those scenes have her fighting mostly with her legs, which comes across as credible. Paul Dano as the Riddler does a great job portraying an eerie incel and inspiring a sympathetic AND a revolted reaction to his character. The cinematography with its moody coloring and the score are my second and third favorite things about the movie. It's not quite as melancholic and inky-black as say, Dark City, or as gritty as Blade Runner, but it expresses an elegiac, doomed city beautifully. The score gives the consistent pacing an energy and depth that made three hours fly by. A minor key Ave Maria and Nirvana's 'Something in the Way' explored throughout the film redefine just how brooding Batman can be, and the familiar Da-dum Da-dum classic theme is executed by Michael Giacchino's score in a muscular and complex way that contributes even more energy to already-great action scenes. This was the perfect first film to see, post-COVID isolation.