Out of the plethora of superhero movies made over the past twenty years or so, my favorite by far have been about Batman. I loved the original Tim Burton offering with Michael Keaton playing the caped crusader, but the second wasn’t as good and then the franchise just got goofy from there.
Christopher Nolan saved the day by rescuing Batman from the campy turn films about him had taken in reminiscence of the old tv show. Nolan brought him back into the dark, believable world the first Burton film had achieved - but on steroids! I loved all three of Nolan’s films with the first, origin story competing fiercely with the second installment which featured Heath Ledger’s brilliant portrayal of The Joker. I really felt like no one would ever top Christian Bale’s version of Batman and Ben Affleck was proving my theory through the DC Film’s efforts to take on all the Marvel movies. But then Robert Pattinson came along!
I had no reference for him, as I have never seen the vampire movies and have no interest to - insert Stanley Hudson from the office here saying, “How many vampires am I supposed to care about these days?” With no perspective of what Pattinson is capable of as an actor I went to see The Batman with low expectations - boy was I surprised! In my estimation, Pattinson delivers a dark night that rivals Bale’s work and in moments even exceeds it.
I love when a movie conveys a message - I’m a pastor always in search of his next sermon illustration and director, Matt Reeves certainly delivers on that note. We are carried along on Bruce Wayne’s quest to get revenge on his parent’s murderers by attacking crime and the underworld at every turn. One of the things that sets this film apart from every other Batman movie is the way Reeves includes Batman’s detective skills and interaction with law enforcement. At the end of the day - without giving up too much of the storyline - Wayne’s esteem of his father is ambushed and the super hero has an epiphany that his vengence-fueled violence leaves little difference between he and his prey. This revelation almost becomes his undoing and consequently, Gotham’s as well. However, in the final scenes we see the true hero surface, giving us a glimpse of what true heroics look like - serving one’s fellow man. I can’t wait for my next sermon about serving - I’ve got a great illustration waiting by pointing my audience to none other than The Batman!
