An artist can’t help but create something great if they’re passionate about the art they produce.  “The Batman” tells its audience in nearly every frame, “I think I’m the best movie ever made.”  I don’t see pride or narcissism when I see this.  I see passion, in the same way everyone in love thinks they’ve found the best person possible.  There’s no doubt “The Dark Knight” trilogy raised the standard for Batman movies to near impossible heights, but writer/director Matt Reeves, and his team of collaborators, rose to the challenge with vision, thoughtfulness, and extreme passion and ambition to create one of the best movies ever made.  It’s too soon to say whether they succeeded, but there’s no doubt they created a great movie.  With a somber yet epic score, thoughtful direction and skilled acting, “The Batman” delivers a movie that isn’t without flaws but gives the caped crusader a return to the big screen that matches the same vision and depth the Nolan films achieved.

Many actors have donned the cape and cowl, but Robert Pattinson gives a performance aiming to capture the trauma and sorrow Bruce Wayne carries with him.  Christian Bale still holds the first place spot, since he plays id (Batman), ego (Bruce Wayne), and fraudulent superego (the billionaire playboy).  Meanwhile, Pattinson, unfortunately, only plays the moody orphan turned vengeful vigilante.  While the tone of the movie wouldn’t have accommodated the mask Bruce Wayne really has to wear, the eccentric yuppie, Pattinson is already known for his emo boy performances, and he doesn’t escape that trope here, despite proving himself to be a versatile actor after the infamous “Twilight” movies.

While we’re prompted by “The Batman” to show sympathy for Bruce Wayne, the Riddler gives the rebuttal to our misplaced pity.  The “Se7en” inspired serial killer wages a campaign of terroristic populism, targeting Gotham’s elites and crime bosses, in order to expose the injustice pulsing underneath, with his most scathing critique being directed at Bruce Wayne himself: the orphan who lives in the lap of luxury.  This dynamic between the Riddler and Batman brings their battle to satisfying juxtapositions.  Paul Dano plays the manic Batman villain with a creepiness only rivaled by Heath Ledger’s performance of Joker in “The Dark Knight”.

Speaking of “The Dark Knight”, I wouldn’t go into this movie expecting it to be the best Batman movie ever, simply because, well, it’s not.  You will be disappointed if you have these high expectations.  However, if you watch this expecting the Arkham Asylum video games having a child with a David Fincher movie, you won’t be disappointed in the slightest.  Despite falling short of “The Dark Knight,” Zoe Kravitz plays a Catwoman who actually has both personality and tragedy to her story, instead of relying on the one-note seductress type found in Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance in the 90s.  Anne Hathaway played a great Catwoman as well, but the amount of screen time and character development devoted to Kravitz’s performance definitely gives her the edge.  I’m undecided on whether Jeffrey Wright’s portrayal of Jim Gordon tops Gary Oldman’s incredible performance, but, for a debut, the fact it’s too close to call is an accomplishment in itself.

Despite giving a very good follow-up to the critically acclaimed Nolan movies, “The Batman” is a three-hour-long film for an experience more brooding and depressing than the white-knuckled, energetic Nolan trilogy.  While I really enjoyed Matt Reeves’ take, I’m not desperate to see it again.  “Se7en” is one of the greatest movies ever made, but it’s not one I’d ever rewatch all that often, as it’s very emotionally taxing. “The Batman” is made in this same vein but clocking in at an hour more in length.  Meanwhile, I’ve rewatched “The Dark Knight” more than 40 times.  With all that said, I’ve actually had to cut out of this review more things I enjoyed about this movie, which hasn’t ever happened in my time writing reviews for The Wichitan.  Y’all know I don’t hand these out like candy, but I’m giving “The Batman” a 5 out of 5.