The Batman 2: The Crucial Fix for an Epic Sequel
Discover the impressive style and gritty atmosphere of Matt Reeves' The Batman While the film boasts numerous strengths, its sequel must address a crucial issue: a fragmented plot and Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Batman as an underwhelming detective
Released in 2022, The Batman received critical acclaim for its departure in style from previous Batman movies. Despite its struggles to reach the heights of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, the franchise faced harsh criticism for Batman vs Superman and Justice League, in which Ben Affleck portrayed the caped crusader.
The criticism, however, wasn't solely targeted at Ben Affleck's performance, as he played the character commendably. Rather, it was the overall style and tone of the films that failed to live up to the previous entries in the series. The highly anticipated sequel, The Batman Part 2, is set to be released in 2025, with Matt Reeves returning as the director. Robert Pattinson will reprise his role as the tormented vigilante, and both Andy Serkis and Jeffrey Wright have been confirmed to return as Alfred and James Gordon, respectively.
The second installment of The Batman is under immense pressure to rectify a major issue from the first film, and only time will tell if the plot of The Batman 2 will succeed in doing so.
The Batman has a distinct style and a dark vibe
The Batman distinguishes itself from every other Batman film through its unique style. While all previous movies maintain a dark tone due to the nature of the story and characters, Matt Reeves's interpretation of the character possesses a distinct atmosphere. The overall film incorporates a darker vibe reminiscent of David Fincher's classic movies.
Additionally, the dynamic between Batman and James Gordon departs from previous iterations, portraying them as more of a detective team-up akin to Somerset and Mills in Seven. Rather than a lighthearted blockbuster experience, The Batman delves into a gritty, noir narrative. The inclusion of Nirvana's Something in the Way immediately signals a departure towards a different type of film.
The Batman's plot is all over the place
The Batman, with its nearly three-hour running time, feels excessively lengthy, and its plot takes unexpected twists, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. A plea to the creative team behind the upcoming sequel: Keep the next movie under two hours, as fans will not be accepting of a longer duration.
While the movie's plot may appear unique compared to previous Batman films, it is ultimately a basic detective story that has been told and executed more effectively by adept crime genre directors. The presence of corrupt villains, such as The Penguin (whose television series will connect to the next film), calls for Batman's intervention in bringing them to justice. However, these particular antagonists lack the impact and depth of mobsters and other gangsters seen in acclaimed Scorsese films, for instance.
Robert Pattinson's Batman is kind of a bad detective
Everything seems so cliché and the storyline becomes convoluted with numerous characters. However, the film truly shines in its portrayal of The Riddler by Paul Dano, and it would have been better if the focus had mainly been on him. The other villains could have been reserved for a future murder mystery sequel.
One major problem with the movie is that Robert Pattinson's portrayal of the caped crusader lacks the qualities of a skilled detective. Fans have longed for a Batman who emphasizes his detective skills, rather than solely relying on his action-packed adventures as showcased in previous films.
In this movie, Batman is portrayed as more of a detective, working alongside James Gordon on major cases. However, the dynamic between them leans towards Gordon as the good cop and Batman as the bad cop. Batman is more aggressive and direct, but not particularly skilled at solving mysteries.
Throughout the movie, The Riddler taunts and challenges Batman, but it seems like Batman doesn't actually solve any of the riddles himself. Instead, he often stumbles upon the answers or relies on other characters to do the heavy lifting. For instance, a uniformed cop is the one who informs Batman about the importance of a carpet tool in uncovering The Riddler's master plan. By the time Batman catches up, it's too late to prevent most of The Riddler's destruction, causing Gotham to be flooded. With his targets mostly eliminated, The Riddler gives himself up. So, what exactly does Batman contribute to solving the crime? Nothing.
Bruce Wayne's alter ego, Batman, indeed prevents the assassination of the mayor-elect. However, the credit should be attributed to his armored suit rather than his intellect. The forthcoming DC movie sequel should aim to rectify these concerns by portraying Batman as a more skillful detective, capable of solving crimes with swiftness and precision.
