When it was revealed in May 2019 there would be a new Batman movie starring Robert Pattinson as the title character, the world went wild, questioning whether the film would prove successful. After 2 release date changes, The Batman has finally made its way to theaters, and it is time to see whether the movie is the failure – or success – for which fans have been hoping.

The Batman’s director, Matt Reeves, has taken the dark knight in a different direction, giving a fresh new angle to the superhero genre. The Batman is more of a detective and mystery film, rather than a blockbuster story, and the fresh take on Bruce Wayne’s saga is one of the biggest draws this movie has. The new type of superhero story allows for a complex and layered plot that develops in a well-paced and clever fashion.

The film’s main antagonist, the Riddler (Paul Dano), is a clever yet fragile villain who is simply terrifying. The Ridder has intricate plans that Batman (Robert Pattinson) must unfold: watching him do so is captivating.

The plot is highly focused, and even seemingly unrelated subplots eventually lead into the main storyline. The story is beautifully crafted, and every character has a purpose and is believable.

The cinematography is quite breathtaking, and all action sequences are truly amazing to look at.

Now, what most fans worried about with this movie was the casting: Pattinson, Colin Farrell, and Andy Serkis were among the few “questionable” casting choices. However,  without a doubt, all of the actors chosen for this film were great choices. There is no “weak” performance in the entire film. Everyone carries their weight, and each character is a joy to watch on screen. Farrell, Dano, and Zoe Kravitz are scene stealers and engaging to watch in every way.

Pattinson, in particular, was a concerning choice for many fans when he was cast as Batman. Batman is a tough character to play due to several talented predecessors (including Christian Bale). However, Pattinson plays the dark knight in a new way, and the change works. He plays a broken and damaged Batman who has already overcome his first years, and is now dealing with the consequences of his actions. Pattinson’s performance is a new take on Bruce Wayne: he is smart, strong, and most importantly, the world’s greatest detective.  

There are no major criticisms one can make for the movie, but there are some factors to consider before heading to the theater: some of which could lead some viewers to take issue with the experience. The first is that the film has a near 3 hours of run time, and for some, the slow-developing plot and pacing of the movie might be too much of a drag. The other fact viewers need to consider is that The Batman is a PG-13 movie that really pushes the limits of the parental guidance rating. There may be numerous scenes some would consider too violent or disturbing. 

However, The Batman is one of the best Batman films to date. The movie is able to keep up with the Nolan trilogy and the original Tim Burton films. This new take on Bruce Wayne and his alter ego gives fans a great story, strong acting performances, and a refreshing take on the superhero film. The Batman will have audiences engaged and drawn into the world of Gotham. It is a must-see for people who love mystery movies or superhero stories. It is a breathtaking film, and highly recommended to anyone who has the chance to see on the big screen.