Pattinson's Batman: Uncomplicated, Just Like Him

I was a bit worried going into The Batman. Not because I didn’t trust Rob to be a capable Bruce Wayne, but because I thought he might be a better Bruce Wayne than Batman.

I wrong. He was a great Bruce. But he was a spectacular Batman.

It was a long time since I saw ‘The Dark Night’, in the meantime, I devoured all Marvel. Infinity war. Endgame. I got used to the comic-book entertainment and mind-numbness it provides. Universe vs. the Earth!

Batman is a detective story, and I forgot how much of an art the Batman franchise is. I almost feel traitorous I liked Avengers when I exited the theater.

And how much of an artform this installment is; there will probably never be another Dark Night, Bale, Ledger, and Nolan, BUT Pattinson, Reeves, and the rest of the cast and crew created a “close to perfect superhero film that nips at the heels of the untouchable The Dark Knight.” - Dwight Brown.

What struck me most is how uncomplicated this Batman is. As uncomplicated as Robert Pattinson. I have been a huge fan of this guy since he stepped foot on the scene, because he wasn’t sceney. He’s one of the rare actors from this generation who has the aura of the 90s, the vibe of River Phoenix, Brad Renfro, as well as their raw, honest talent. Like them, he’s unadjusted, his lack of conformity stands as a hallmark of remarkable and covetable talent, setting him apart from peers who have acclimated all too comfortably to the frenetic Hollywood machinery.

His Batman is real, troublesome, but unswervingly dedicated to his mission. While the absence of his private life unrelated to his crusades is noticeable, I didn’t mind it. The desire to see Bruce Wayne's romantic moments was high on my list (hello his partner is Zoe Kravitz), but the decision to minimize them didn't bother me as much as I expected.

Why?

Because this Batman wasn’t tone-deaf. He seemed acutely attuned to the times we inhabit. He's far from perfect, a work in progress who carries the weight of his unhealed trauma along, harboring it unresolved for a later reckoning, as there are more pressing matters at hand. He’s uncaring, indifferent, his gadgets are faulty, his Batmobile is malfunctioning, his bike is unreliable; it perplexed me initially. Yet on the second watch (yes I sat through 6 hours of The Batman), it became evident that Rob, Mat, and the crew not only understood their assignment but carried it out with precision.

I’m part of the chorus asserting that Robert Pattinson had spent 14 years preparing for this role. Everything he has done so far led him here. Initially, when I first heard the news of Robert being the new Batman, my love for Bale's grand portrayal wouldn’t allow space for Rob. I presumed, well he will be this generation’s Batman, and will not intrude upon Bale’s legacy as THE Batman. I must say he has transcended my expectations, nearly rivaling Bale himself, making him one of the two foremost Batmans. His presence is both regal and edgy, an embodiment of his own essence rather than a mere imitation. Alongside Matt Reeves, they infused the somber disarray of our contemporary world into the film’s aesthetics and tone.

The actors' performances are truly remarkable. Zoe Kravitz infuses a touch of levity into a rather dark narrative, and her portrayal serves as a guidebook for embodying the character of Catwoman. Despite having only one kiss and lacking any explicit love scenes, the palpable chemistry between her and Pattinson is undeniable.

John Turturro, “works the screen in a way only DeNiro or Brando could duplicate.” - Dwight Brown. And the rhapsody Colin Farrell created with The Penguin, body suit and all, is nothing short of a spectacle. The way the three actors play the interrogation scene shows the intimidating opulence of their talent. “A scene in which Batman and Lt. Gordon furiously interrogate Oz features acting so fiery and accomplished it underlines Pattison, Wright, and Farrell’s brilliance.” - DB.

What lingered in my thoughts after exiting the theater is how this movie's tone aligns with the present moment. In many instances, we come across art that misses the mark or feels disconnected. However, Batman resonates deeply with the apocalyptic and despondent world we currently inhabit. It's unfiltered, sincere, devoid of humor, and tinged with melancholy. Yet, it evokes an unusual sense of aspiration.