Batman Begins Again

Looking to put a fresh spin on the iconic DC character, "The Batman" is an imperfect, but fairly well-rounded superhero epic that aims to delight fans and casual audiences alike

Comic books, and therefore by extension comic book movies, are complicated. Timelines and continuity can be absolute monstrosities and with hosts of different artists and writers tackling story arcs over the decades, there's a wide variety of choices when it comes to selecting favorite versions of a certain character. Warner Bros. has made it no secret audiences will be treated to three theatrical, live-action iterations of the Caped Crusader in this year alone. In the upcoming Flash movie, multiversal shenanigans will lead to Ben Affleck's return and a chance to see Michael Keaton donning the cowl again for the first time in 30 years. In addition to that, we have "The Batman". This standalone solo film stars Robert Pattinson and is directed by Matt Reeves, mostly known for helming two-thirds of the most recent "Planet of the Apes" trilogy. Relying heavily on the detective aspects of the character, can "The Batman" ignite Bat-Mania the way films like 2008's "The Dark Knight" and 1989's "Batman" did in the past?

During his second year on the job, Batman (Pattinson) finds himself hot on the trail of a mysterious serial killer who's targeting politicians and public figures. With the help of his only confidant within the Gotham City Police Department, James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright), and an unlikely ally in Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz), he tangles with the city's underworld while struggling to maintain his duality and navigating the complexities of his role as a masked vigilante. The film was co-written by Reeves with the help of Peter Craig and is set to an absolutely sensational score by Michael Giacchino.

The film was initially developed as a solo vehicle for Affleck's Batman before he dropped out and Reeves overhauled the project. While it's difficult to say how that movie may have turned out, this resulting film is undeniably well-made. Every actor nails their performances and the cinematography is absolutely stunning throughout. Stylistically, the art direction and score seem to recall several of Batman's past adventures, with noticeable shades of the animated series, Burton films, Nolan trilogy, Arkham games and even the 1960's television show sprinkled in. There are also notable mystery-thriller influences like "Se7en" and "Zodiac". Despite being carefully crafted, there are valid criticisms, chief among them being the runtime. At just a hair under three hours, the movie does occasionally drag. Its methodical pacing isn't ideal for a superhero blockbuster and that could be an issue with some viewers. Some punchier editing could have easily sliced off some extraneous minutes and allowed the picture to flow more swiftly. The action is solid and there are moments of dark humor, but it's a pretty morose affair, which could end up turning some people off. While the plotting and runtime slightly dampen its rewatchability, it's another winner in Batman's cinematic catalog and has enough comic book flair and gravitas to make what's essentially another big screen reboot for the character totally worthwhile. B+