.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
The following article contains spoilers for The Batman. Robert Pattinson's The Batman has been one of DC and Warner Bros.' greatest successes of all time. The standalone film is unlike anything the franchise has done before and the risks they took by recreating a hero that’s been re-imagined so many times has definitely paid off.
Pattinson’s performance was excellent and unlike anything DC fans have seen before, breathing new life into this classic character that fans know and love. With talks of a sequel already in the works, and an interesting set up at the end of the film, Pattinson will surely be back to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne sometime in the future.
Detective Work
The Batman focused heavily on Bruce Wayne’s complicated relationship with the Gotham Police department, particularly on how he worked alongside officer James Gordon to solve the Riddler’s cryptic crimes. Batman was written in the comics to be one of the world’s greatest detectives, yet most live-action renditions of the tale seem to forget that only half of Batman’s job includes intense action, while the other half is far more cerebral.
Pattinson’s Batman was able to jump wholeheartedly into the role of a crime-fighting sleuth, and he did a great job highlighting what makes Bruce Wayne different from other superheroes. Besides his hand-to-hand combat skills and cool car, Batman’s intelligence is a huge part of what makes him a hero.
Capturing Bruce Wayne’s Dark Side
Pattinson’s Batman isn’t the suave playboy fans have seen in previous live action films, and fans can clearly see the weight of the vigilante lifestyle weighing on Pattinson’s shoulders in the new film. Much harsher around the edges than other Batmen, Pattinson’s version of the character is clearly still struggling to cope with the trauma that comes with losing his parents at such a young age.
This new angle felt very true to how Batman acted in the comics, a burdened recluse who struggles in social situations. Pattinson has actually been vocal about why he chose not to play Bruce Wayne as a ladies man, and his decision to embrace the Batman’s dark side translated excellently into this cataclysmic version of the character that DC has brought to life.
Showing Emotion Without Words
There were many moments in the film where Pattinson’s Batman didn’t say anything at all, but his silence and stoic demeanor worked brilliantly for the character he was creating. Pattinson’s facial expressions and body language delivered powerful emotions without him ever having to open his mouth, particularly in the scenes with the dead mayor’s son.
The mayor was the Riddler’s first kill, and Pattinson’s Batman kept a close eye on the son the deceased man left behind. During the mayor’s funeral, for example, Pattinson sees the child and ends up saving his life just before a car crashes through the walls and ruins the service.
Pattinson’s Batman is obviously seeing himself in the young boy, having gone through something similar at the boy’s age, and clearly Bruce Wayne is harboring a strange sense of kinship to the child. Although Batman never outwardly vocalized these feelings, Pattinson conveyed Bruce Wayne’s feelings flawlessly and proved just how talented of an actor he really is.
Finds Small Victories After Loss
After so many years of superhero movies hitting mainstream media, the formulas became rather predictable. The hero would notice a problem, face some challenges, but ultimately come out the victor when all was said and done. Pattinson’s Batman is constantly battling misdirection in the new film, which allows him to get the Riddler in prison, but keeps him from preventing the flooding of Gotham city.
The Batman shows a unique power dynamic, since the villain pretty much gets away with everything he planned to do, aside from befriending the Caped Crusader. People are still dead, and the city is in the middle of a crisis, because Batman wasn’t able to stop the Riddler in time to avoid catastrophe. This was a pretty new take on a superhero film, since most heroes stop the bad guy before their evil plan comes to fruition.
In the end, Pattinson’s Batman saw himself as a hero not because he stopped the Riddler, but because he was able to comfort people who were experiencing tragedy. Pattinson’s character still knows his work has value, especially since he stopped Catwoman from becoming a killer and didn't compromise his own morals along the way. Being able to find small victories and inspire others when they need it most is what makes Pattinson’s Batman stand out from all the rest.
Keeping The Hero Human
The combination of everything listed above makes Pattinson’s Batman far more human. His character is certainly feared by others in the film, but isn’t untouchable the way other DC heroes have been in the past. Taking this more realistic and grounded approach definitely worked in the character’s favor and is what helped him worm his way into the heart of Batman fans.