The Batman (2022)… Do a fantastic job with that movie, Warner Bros.! I ask of you this one thing as we go into a new year filled with new hopes. The first, second, and third trailers seem to promise a true Batman story which will make good on many aspects: the story, the tone, the lead actor, a surprise or two, trying something new, and the film score.
Batman surrounded by assailants! Picture credit to YouTube (via Warner Bros. Pictures channel)
The story set in Batman’s second year of his career dares to tell an origin story without going the traditional route. Meaning we won’t get the oft-repeated gunning down of Bruce Wayne’s parents, the years abroad prepping for his return to Gotham and his life of crime-fighting, that sort of stuff. Bruce is already past that; but we’re meeting this new take on Batman who is still figuring out his balance between Gotham’s protector and almost lethal force of fear… His stage is still being set.
Batman stands ready as a new day rises! Picture credit to YouTube (via Warner Bros. Pictures channel)
The lead actor: Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman. We can crack wise about his Twilight (2008) years — and they were bad — but this is one bat role in which Pattinson will, I believe, do a fantastic job! I dare say he had us “oooh” and “ahhh” when in the first trailer he said: “…I’m *vengeance*!”
Non Twilight types… it’s our turn to swoon.
Bruce Wayne and an unknown character discuss the former’s seemingly non-existent philanthropic endeavors! Picture credit to YouTube (via Warner Bros. Pictures channel)
That said, don’t make Pattinson a hunky (but bland) sparkly vampire Bruce/punch-til-they-drop (yet somehow a great detective by default) Batman… Flesh out both personalities! It looks like they will; there seems to be a focus on the detective side of Batman in this tale. I have a feeling we’ll see some interesting questions pursued regarding both Bruce’s/Batman’s roles in how involved they are in the well-being of Gotham.
Trying something new with a surprise or two… We don’t know yet why Paul Dano’s Riddler is interested in both Batman and Bruce Wayne but I think that’s no mystery when you consider that Riddler’s intelligence; he knows the truth… and is going to toy with his vigilante prey before trying to end him.
Bruce Wayne questions Alfred about his parents! Picture credit to YouTube (via Warner Bros. Pictures channel)
But this seems to tie in with something about Bruce’s parents; some new aspect about them which Bruce calls Alfred out on for apparently lying to him about for years… I bet it will turn out that Bruce’s parents (at least his dad) were just as corrupt as the majority of Gotham! Normally I’d be against this seeing as how Bruce took a lot of his good side from his parents’ influence and sought to make their memory proud; but I’m interested to see how such news would impact Bruce’s choices in either personality.
The tone… Don’t pander to “gritty realism” for the sake of dark, edgy mood-setting where everything is hopeless. If it’s to be a dark tale, make it count; show some hope or light that Bruce/Batman fights for amidst the sea of corruption in Gotham!
Batman clears the room of all would-be attackers! Picture credit to YouTube (via Warner Bros. Pictures channel)
Then there’s the film score composed by Michael Giacchino. A teaser’s “overtly gothic score” sounds epic and worthy of a Batman tale. I have a feeling Giacchino will know when to make each note count. I hope it’s not a lot of filler; not after what I’ve heard so far from the aforementioned teaser! So many film scores of the past decade or so have been utter filler and even from some of the great composers: Alan Silvestri and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), John Williams and The Last Jedi (2017)/The Rise of Skywalker (2019), and so-on! Please deliver, Giacchino!
Batman drops in on the fun! Picture credit to YouTube (via Warner Bros. Pictures channel)
In fact, please deliver, Warner Bros.; please deliver to us an amazing Batman tale in cinematic form! It looks like you will, but trailers and the final products often tell two different stories: one promising and excellent, and the other a real letdown with some potential. If director Matt Reeves — who wrote for the movie along with Peter Craig — explores all the aforementioned details to their best points, I think we’ll see a truly special Batman movie!
The Batman opens in theaters on March 4th, 2022; see it! I know I will.
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