“The Batman” reinvents superhero tropes

Director Matt Reeve’s new film “The Batman” is the first installment of a new Batman saga outside of the DC Extended Universe. The aesthetic of the film differed slightly from previous Batman iterations.

One attribute that stuck out to me was the unmistakable corruption within the city of Gotham. The plot revolves around the intertwinement between city officials and its expansive criminal underworld. The reactions of the main characters toward the crookedness of Gotham’s institutions create mysteries that are fascinating to watch unravel. Another difference was the toned-down technology Batman has at his disposal to fit the more realistic telling of the story.

Lead actor Robert Pattinson faced skepticism from fans, many of whom thought the casting choice was going to be an awkward fit. I believe that the performance fit the grimmer feel of the city Bruce Wayne inhabits.

While he is being a vigilante, he strikes terror into the hearts of the criminals, an idea masterfully depicted in the opening scene of the film. The more reclusive and neurotic portrayal of the caped crusader is a rejuvenating characterization, as the charismatic socialite version of Bruce Wayne has become outplayed throughout the years. Pattinson’s performance without the mask fell a bit flat sometimes, especially the later scenes revolving around his romantic interest.

A Batman movie would not be complete without villains, and Paul Dano’s performance as Riddler was exceptional. In the comics, the villain wears a green suit and brandishes a cane with a question mark on it, which doesn’t make for the most intimidating adversary.

Dano’s Riddler is more akin to John Doe from “Se7en” or Jigsaw from the “Saw” series than the source material, once again embracing the darker approach to the world Batman inhabits.

Zoë Kravitz played the role of Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman, very well. The espionage scenes involving her were suspenseful and drove the plot forward in meaningful ways. Catwoman’s motivations were multilayered, making her one of the more complex characters within the film.

A few other characters that stuck out were Jeffery Wright as James Gordon and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth. Gordon’s interactions with Batman throughout the film bring a new approach to the character. Wright plays the Gotham Police Department veteran as a talented detective and morally upright man who struggles with the corruption in his force instead of ignoring it. His relationship with Batman is not the paragons of justice converging, but two men who trust each other to face Gotham’s demons head-on.

Serkis portrays a younger version of Alfred whom Bruce has a strong bond with. He watches as Bruce makes destructive choices as Batman, which leads to tension between the two. Having Bruce be unattuned with his only ally who knows his identity makes for some emotional moments in the film.

“The Batman” takes chances, many of which work out well, like the grittier version of Gotham and unique directions taken with characters in the film. Despite an occasionally flat performance as Bruce Wayne and a daunting 2-hour 56-minute runtime, the film delivers a fresh and gripping story of a classic hero. There are two sequel films and television spin-offs coming, and I will be sure to check them out after this strong reintroduction for Batman.